adminUbisoft Barcelona layoffs have begun following the launch of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, affecting 51 employees. The cuts are part of a broader company restructuring, while the Barcelona studio is set to focus exclusively on the Rainbow Six franchise.
Image credit: Ubisoft
Ubisoft Barcelona layoffs affect 51 employees
QA/QC lead Isabel Codina García shared that her time at Ubisoft Barcelona was ending after seven years. She expressed gratitude for the colleagues she met and the experience she gained at the studio.
The reductions were first announced alongside the closures of Ubisoft’s Winnipeg and Belgrade studios. They form part of a restructuring process introduced earlier this year. For employees following the changes, the key distinction is that the Barcelona cuts are part of a wider plan, rather than a decision announced in isolation.
Staff strike over studio plans and job security
After the announcement, staff went on strike. The action was organised by the Spanish union La Confederación General del Trabajo. Workers called for negotiations over a new mandate for the studio that could help retain affected employees, and requested protection against further layoffs for at least five years.
García said there would be no further mandates for the Barcelona studio, despite the team proposing new Assassin’s Creed projects. The studio is now expected to work exclusively on Rainbow Six. That shift outlines the team’s announced franchise focus, but does not provide further details about specific projects or staffing plans.
Black Flag Resynced earns strong review scores
At the time of reporting, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced had a Metacritic score of 84, making it one of the year’s highest-rated games. It was also the franchise’s best-reviewed title since the original Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag in 2013. Review scores can change as more assessments are added, so readers checking the rating later should confirm the latest figure.
Ubisoft’s wider restructuring plans
Ubisoft previously described this as its final round of cost-cutting and studio closures, with a stated goal of saving €200 million. The company also closed its Stockholm and Halifax studios, cancelled three new intellectual properties, and cancelled the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake.
Another part of the changes is a Creative House structure made up of five divisions. Each division oversees multiple studios working on Ubisoft’s gaming brands and intellectual properties. Vantage Studios, backed by Tencent, is focused on Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six.
Senior vice president of studio operations Marie-Sophie de Waubert said seven games would receive additional development time so they could meet enhanced quality benchmarks and support long-term value. She also said Ubisoft’s internal transformation had contributed to improved game quality in 2025, while increased competition—particularly in AAA games and shooters—made further changes necessary.
What the Ubisoft Barcelona layoffs mean
The immediate confirmed impact is the loss of 51 roles and a narrower franchise focus for the Barcelona studio. Staff have sought negotiations and longer-term job protections, while Ubisoft’s restructuring includes studio closures, cancelled projects, and changes to how its teams are organised. The Ubisoft Barcelona layoffs are therefore part of a wider company transition, with further details about the studio’s future dependent on subsequent announcements.
