Ubisoft is reportedly facing a large number of job losses as it plans to close its Winnipeg and Belgrade studios, as well as restructuring its Barcelona office. As a result, the Assassin’s Creed publisher is facing up to 380 job losses.
A report on VGC claims that the Rainbow Six franchise will now be the sole focus for Ubisoft Barcelona, while organisational changes have been announced internally within Ubisoft’s Global Publishing team, resulting in reduced roles. The news comes following Ubisoft’s massive restructuring plans announced earlier this year, which saw the publishing giant cancel six games including the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake, and delaying a further seven titles.
Ubisoft Winnipeg primarily focused on the development of technology for Ubisoft’s game engines such as Anvil and Snowdrop, while Ubisoft Belgrade worked on titles such as The Crew, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, Riders Republic, and Skull & Bones.
Ubisoft is now splitting its development into five independently operating Creative Houses. First is Vantage Studios, which is overseeing Ubisoft’s three major IPs such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. Creative House 2 is looking after The Division, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell, while Creative House 3 will take the reins of live-service efforts including Skull & Bones and For Honour. Finally, Creative House 4 will oversee narrative and fantasy games such as Might & Magic, Rayman, and Prince of Persia, while Creative House 5 is home to family and casuals projects like Just Dance.
[Source – VGC]