adminThe Ubisoft workers strike in February 2026 was called in response to company restructuring, cost-cutting measures and a requirement for staff to work on-site five days a week. The three-day action ran from February 10 to 12, with union representatives reporting that at least 1,200 employees took part on its first day.
Image credit: Solidaires Informatique
Ubisoft workers strike: participation and dates
Marc Rutschlé, a Solidaires Informatique union representative at Ubisoft Paris, said the strike was mainly held in France, with additional participation at Ubisoft Milan. The union’s reported figure of at least 1,200 participants refers to the action on February 10.
In a response published on February 12, Ubisoft said 538 employees had reported that they were on strike. These are separate figures from the union and the company, and the statements do not explain the difference. Readers should therefore note which organization reported each number when comparing estimates.
Why employees organized the strike
The walkout followed a January 21 announcement by Ubisoft describing a final round of cost-cutting. The announced measures included closing several studios and cancelling six games. Solidaires Informatique had already organized a protest on January 22 and said further action was planned, including the February strike.
Rutschlé said employees were concerned about continued cost reductions and layoffs, pressure on teams that he described as understaffed, and limited or absent pay increases over several years. These comments represent the union representative’s account of staff concerns.
The return-to-office policy was another point of opposition. Ubisoft required employees to work at company sites five days each week. The issue had prompted an earlier three-day strike in France in September 2024, when more than 700 Ubisoft workers participated.
Ubisoft’s response to employee concerns
Ubisoft said the changes announced on January 21 were intended to increase team autonomy and creativity within its Creative Houses and support the company’s long-term sustainability. The company also acknowledged that changes to work organization were causing strong feelings among employees.
According to Ubisoft, it had held discussions and information sessions at multiple levels to explain the new organization and give teams opportunities to raise questions and concerns. The company said its leadership remained committed to dialogue with employees and their representatives as the transformation continued.
What to keep in mind
The strike involved several connected issues rather than a single workplace policy: organizational changes, cost reductions, studio closures, game cancellations, pay concerns and office attendance requirements. When following developments, check the date of each update and distinguish between statements from the company and those from union representatives. This is especially useful when reported participation totals differ.
The Ubisoft workers strike highlights the employee response to the company’s restructuring plans and workplace rules. Its reported scale varied between union and company accounts, while both statements provide context on the concerns and changes discussed in February 2026.
