Lately, Ubisoft has faced some tough times, leaving many of its employees worried about what lies ahead. This apprehension was captured in the company’s recent employee survey. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, who’s determined to steer the company back on course, assured everyone he’s working hard to ensure Ubisoft’s future remains in its own hands. At the moment, the company’s immediate hope hinges on the upcoming release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
In an effort to address these concerns, Guillemot wrote an internal memo which quickly became public. The memo was in response to the questions raised during their annual survey. Over the past few years, Ubisoft’s big-budget releases haven’t performed as expected. From the beginning of 2024, titles such as Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Skull and Bones, and Star Wars Outlaws have not lived up to sales forecasts. Even XDefiant, a free-to-play shooter launched in May 2024, struggled to gain traction, which led to its early shutdown planned for June 2025. The fallout from this decision will close down Ubisoft’s San Francisco and Osaka studios, affecting about half of their employees with expected layoffs.
Reacting to the announcement about XDefiant’s closure, Guillemot sent a memo company-wide which was leaked to Insider Gaming. In it, he acknowledged the concerns brewing among employees. The survey that generated more than 55,000 comments from a workforce of around 21,000 highlighted these anxieties.
Ubisoft remains committed to staying in control of its path forward. Guillemot emphasized his dedication to guiding the company through these turbulent times, underlining ongoing efforts to find the best solutions to retain their independence. The company is set to launch initiatives to tackle the issues raised in the survey, focusing on streamlining development and reviving the creative spirit of daily operations. These steps come in response to a September 2024 internal review prompted by the company’s struggles.
Guillemot didn’t shy away from acknowledging the difficult decision to end the XDefiant project and close studios. He expressed gratitude to all who contributed, while acknowledging that their attempt to compete in the military shooter market fell short.
Now, Ubisoft’s hopes for recovery are pinned on the success of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set to be released on February 14. Expectations are high, especially given that its predecessor, AC Valhalla, generated over $1 billion in revenue, largely aided by the global pandemic surge in gaming. Matching Valhalla’s success poses a significant challenge for Shadows, even if the game meets all expectations.
Operating from their main office in Saint-Mandé, France, Ubisoft continues to be a prominent player in the gaming world. Under the leadership of Yves Guillemot, they manage renowned franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Farcry, and Just Dance, while also nurturing a network of subsidiary developers across the globe.
