The company says the decision was made well before staff unionized and emphasizes respect for employees' right to unionize.

Ubisoft pledged severance packages and additional career assistance to support impacted staff during the transition.

The report invites readers to follow ongoing Insider Gaming coverage, including related StarCraft shooter news.

Ubisoft is closing its Halifax, Canada studio, affecting 71 employees, as part of a broader cost-cutting and restructuring effort to streamline its global operations.

Industry observers note mixed financials for Ubisoft, with underwhelming recent titles but continued development activity, raising questions about how structural changes and layoffs affect turnaround.

Unionization efforts at Halifax followed attempts to delay the vote, with staff saying unions support creativity, security, and equity through collaboration with Ubisoft.

The wider industry context shows turbulence with pandemic-driven growth fading, shifting revenues, and notable acquisitions and layoffs fueling renewed interest in unionization among developers.

Ubisoft plans to reveal details in January about a new organizational model that groups studios into agile, autonomous 'creative houses' across its network.

The restructuring centers on a Tencent-funded core, while other Ubisoft studios continue operating, with union activity noted in other regions.

As of early 2026, Ubisoft is navigating industry labor dynamics within its ongoing transformation strategy.

The company aims for a less centralized operating model to give creative teams more ownership over their brands and projects.

Staff and union supporters argue unions protect workers in volatile markets, highlighting the importance of collective bargaining and a voice in decisions.