Ubisoft, a prominent software company, has made the decision to shut down its Halifax studio, leading to the displacement of 71 employees. The closure comes as part of Ubisoft’s strategic efforts to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs amid a challenging business environment.
In a recent statement, the company, with a workforce of 17,000 worldwide, highlighted its sustained initiatives over the past two years to streamline operations and drive cost-saving measures. The email communication from Ubisoft representative Antoine Leduc-Labelle revealed that the studio’s project, Assassin’s Creed Rebellion, has experienced a decline in revenue since its launch in 2018.
Last month, 60 employees at the Halifax studio established the first union in North America within Ubisoft. Responding to inquiries from CBC News, Leduc-Labelle clarified that the restructuring process had commenced before the unionization efforts began in June 2025.
T.J. Gillis, a veteran senior server developer at Ubisoft Halifax for a five-year tenure, recounted how staff were informed during a meeting that the studio would be closing due to industry challenges. The decision to unionize was partly influenced by the industry trend of studios facing closures, as observed by Gillis.
Expressing suspicion over the timing of the closure, Gillis mentioned plans to connect with union representatives for support. The union, CWA Canada, has announced intentions to seek explanations from Ubisoft regarding the sudden shutdown.
Following the shutdown of the Halifax studio, job prospects for game developers in the region have been significantly impacted, with Microsoft having closed its Alpha Dog studio in Halifax back in 2024. Gillis lamented the loss of projects and camaraderie built over years in the gaming industry.
In response to the closure, president Carmel Smyth of CWA Canada emphasized the importance of understanding the reasons behind the shutdown and ensuring it was not influenced by the employees joining a union. This move has left the local gaming community in a state of uncertainty with limited employment opportunities for developers in the province.