Ubisoft CEO Discusses Employee Worries Regarding Company’s Future

Insights and Reflections:

Ubisoft has been navigating a rocky path recently, with several high-profile games failing to hit the mark, according to feedback from an annual employee survey. Ubisoft’s CEO, Yves Guillemot, assures that he is committed to steering the company towards a better future. A significant opportunity to turn the tide lies with the highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

In a bid to address growing concerns, Yves Guillemot recently communicated with Ubisoft’s staff through an internal memo, which quickly found its way to the public. This move was sparked by the findings of the company’s latest internal survey, which highlighted employees’ unease about the company’s trajectory.

Ubisoft’s recent track record has been somewhat turbulent, with some of its major projects not meeting commercial expectations. This downward trend worsened in early 2024 when Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Skull and Bones, and Star Wars Outlaws didn’t resonate as hoped with gamers. Similarly, XDefiant, a free-to-play military shooter launched in May 2024, fell short, leading to its scheduled closure by June 2025. Consequent restructuring plans signal closures at the San Francisco and Osaka studios, impacting a significant portion of their workforce.

Not long after announcing XDefiant’s shutdown, Guillemot circulated a company-wide memo reflecting on Ubisoft’s predicament, which then leaked to Insider Gaming. He candidly addressed the concerns voiced by employees, referencing data from the recent survey, which captured an 86% participant rate and over 55,000 comments. Considering Ubisoft’s headcount of approximately 21,000, this response equaled an average of about 2.6 comments per employee.

Striving for Autonomy: Ubisoft’s Path Forward

Guillemot emphasized his dedication to helping Ubisoft navigate through challenging times, emphasizing that he and his team are "working tirelessly" to explore options that will keep the company’s future in their own hands. New initiatives are on the horizon to ease employee worries, with plans to simplify development processes and refocus efforts on creativity—a motivation echoed during the internal practices review initiated in September 2024.

Guillemot also called the decision to discontinue XDefiant and close two key studios in San Francisco and Osaka as "difficult." He acknowledged the project team’s hard work in trying to compete with established games like Call of Duty, noting their efforts weren’t enough, and expressed gratitude for their contributions.

The Spotlight Shifts to Assassin’s Creed Shadows

All eyes now turn to Assassin’s Creed Shadows as Ubisoft places its immediate hopes on this franchise’s success. Initially delayed, the game is aimed for a February 14 debut. The anticipation stems from the resounding success of its predecessor, AC Valhalla, which brought in over $1 billion. Valhalla, however, benefitted substantially from the global pandemic’s impact on the gaming market. Achieving similar success for Assassin’s Creed Shadows might prove challenging, even if the game receives critical acclaim.

In summary, while Ubisoft is facing significant challenges, Guillemot’s commitment to rally the company through innovative strategies and potential game changers like Assassin’s Creed Shadows could pave the way for a brighter future.