Ubisoft Barcelona Staff Strikes Back Against Restructuring Plans and Severance Pay Offer

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry, up to 90 workers at Ubisoft Barcelona joined a strike yesterday, with another 90 expected to walk out tomorrow in protest of the company’s initial severance pay offer. The strike comes as a response to the planned layoffs of up to 51 jobs at the studio, which has contributed significantly to the development of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced.

As part of a wider restructuring effort, Ubisoft has announced plans to cut 380 staff across its offices in Winnipeg, Belgrade, Barcelona, and its global publishing division. However, the severance pay offer has been met with fierce resistance from the affected employees, who claim it is ‘below any reasonable standard.’

According to sources, the severance pay offered to affected employees is significantly lower than what has been offered to previous laid-off employees from the studio. This has sparked outrage among the staff, who feel that the company is not treating them fairly. The strike action is a clear indication of the staff’s discontent and their desire for better severance pay and job security.

A Significant Contribution to Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, which was developed in collaboration with Ubisoft Singapore, has been a commercial success, selling an impressive 2 million copies in just 24 hours. However, the development of the game was not a solo effort, with Ubisoft Barcelona contributing significantly to the title. The studio handled the underwater diving side-missions, as well as other locations, quests, and contracts.

Moreover, several main quests were handled by Barcelona’s Assassin’s Creed team during more than two years of Resynced development. These quests were reportedly showcased during pre-release hands-on previews, alongside development on a specific in-game region (Gibara), and work on enemy combat AI and bosses. The significant contribution of Ubisoft Barcelona to the game’s development has only added to the staff’s sense of injustice and outrage.

The plight of the staff at Ubisoft Barcelona has sparked headlines, with many questioning the commercial success of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced in the face of such drastic job cuts. The company’s decision to cut 51 jobs and restrict the team’s size to working solely on the Rainbow Six franchise has been met with widespread criticism.

Staff Speak Out Against Severance Pay Offer

Speaking to IGN, an affected employee expressed their outrage and disappointment at the severance pay offer. ‘The severance pay they’re offering is far below the minimum expected, and below what they’ve offered for previously laid off employees from the studio,’ the employee said.

‘There are still discussions about saving some of the jobs, and it’s likely that at least some will move to Rainbow Six, but the job positions themselves seem quite definite, and the Assassin’s Creed team has been certainly cut.’

Ubisoft’s Response to the Strike Action

Ubisoft has responded to the strike action, stating that they respect employees’ right to express their views. ‘We are aware of the strike action announced at Ubisoft Barcelona and respect employees’ right to express their views,’ a Ubisoft spokesperson said. ‘Ubisoft has initiated a proposed restructuring of Ubisoft Barcelona as part of broader efforts to reduce costs and focus resources on strategic priorities.’

However, the company’s response has been met with skepticism by the affected employees, who feel that the severance pay offer is still ‘below any reasonable standard.’

As the situation continues to unfold, the fate of the 51 jobs at risk hangs in the balance. The strike action and staff’s outrage are a clear indication that the company needs to revisit its severance pay offer and job restructuring plans.

Only time will tell if Ubisoft will listen to the concerns of its employees and make the necessary changes to avoid further controversy.