A global strike involving at least 1,200 employees has taken place following the latest restructuring measures announced by Ubisoft. The three-day action, which ran from February 10 to February 12, 2026, reflects ongoing tensions between the company’s management and its workforce amid cost-cutting and operational changes. The majority of participants were based in France, with additional involvement reported in Milan.
The strike comes after Ubisoft revealed plans in late January that included studio closures, the cancellation of six games, and proposals to reduce up to 200 positions at its Paris headquarters. The company plans to carry out the reduction through France’s Rupture Conventionnelle Collective process, which allows for voluntary departures rather than compulsory layoffs.
Unions Criticize Return-to-Office Mandate
The strike was prompted in part by union opposition to Ubisoft’s five-day return-to-office policy. On January 28, five French unions issued a joint statement calling for international staff participation in the protest. Union representatives said employees have faced years of minimal or no pay increases while operating under high workloads and ongoing restructuring pressure. Marc Rutschlé, a representative of the Solidaires Informatique union at the Paris office, highlighted that workforce reductions are occurring even as staff remain under significant operational strain.
Tensions surrounding workplace policies are not new at Ubisoft. In September 2024, more than 700 employees in France staged a three-day strike over the same return-to-office requirement, signaling long-term dissatisfaction with company directives on remote work.
Company Restructuring and Market Impact
The recent staff walkout coincides with Ubisoft’s broader organisational changes. Earlier this year, the company reorganized its development teams into genre-focused “Creative Houses,” each with full financial and creative control. Mobile operations were consolidated under one Creative House to streamline management and development.
The restructuring comes amid challenging market conditions. Ubisoft employs roughly 17,000 staff worldwide, and its share price fell to its lowest point in 15 years by late January, during what the company described as a “major organisational, operational and portfolio reset.”
Source: PocketGamer
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are Ubisoft employees striking?
Employees are striking in response to the company’s recent restructuring, which includes studio closures, game cancellations, job reductions, and a five-day return-to-office policy.
How many Ubisoft employees are involved in the strike?
At least 1,200 employees participated in the first day of the three-day strike, primarily in France with additional involvement in Milan.
What is Ubisoft’s Rupture Conventionnelle Collective process?
The RCC process allows the company to reduce staff through voluntary departures rather than mandatory layoffs, aiming to offer an alternative to compulsory redundancies.
What changes has Ubisoft made to its organizational structure?
Ubisoft has reorganized its operations into genre-based Creative Houses, each with independent creative and financial control. The company also consolidated its mobile operations under a single Creative House.
Has Ubisoft faced similar labor actions before?
Yes, in September 2024, over 700 employees in France staged a three-day strike over the same return-to-office mandate.
How has the market reacted to Ubisoft’s restructuring?
By late January 2026, Ubisoft’s share price had fallen to a 15-year low amid the company’s major organisational and portfolio changes.
Will the strike affect Ubisoft game releases?
While the strike could temporarily impact development schedules, Ubisoft has not announced any immediate delays to upcoming game releases.
