Ubisoft proposes layoffs at Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft Stockholm

Entertainment

Chris Kerr, Senior Editor, News, GameDeveloper.com

January 13, 2026

2 Min Read

Ubisoft intends to make 55 people redundant at its Swedish studios Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft Stockholm.

The French publisher confirmed the news in a statement to IGN and said the proposed restructure follows the completion of a voluntary redundancy program that commenced in 2025. 

“Earlier today, we informed all employees in our Swedish studios (Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft Stockholm) about a proposed organizational restructure that may affect approximately 55 roles across Malmö and Stockholm,” said Ubisoft.

“[…] These proposed changes are forward-looking and structural, they are not related to individual performance, recent deliveries, or the quality of the work produced by the teams.”

Ubisoft said the long-term direction for both studios “remains unchanged.” 

Massive Entertainment is based in Malmo and has worked on major titles such as Tom Clancy’s The Division, Star Wars Outlaws, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

Ubisoft Stockholm is currently working on an unannounced new franchise that leverages the studio’s cloud computing technology, Ubisoft Scalar. 

Ubisoft continues layoffs after $1.25 billion Tencent  investment

The news comes around two weeks after Ubisoft announced the closure of its Halifax studio, which raised eyebrows given the Canadian studio voted to unionize just weeks earlier. 

Related:Ubisoft to consider increasing compensation for laid off Halifax workers

Ubisoft indicated the shuttering was unrelated to those unionization efforts, but impacted workers and union representatives at CWA Canada called on the company to prove the decision was based solely on financial necessity. 

The Assassin’s Creed publisher has downsized significantly in recent years, closing studios in Leamington, San Francisco, and Osaka while making layoffs at others in Dussledorf, Newcastle, and Stockholm.

Those cutbacks came with the company purportedly seeking financing from outside investors, which it eventually secured when Chinese conglomerate Tencent sunk $1.25 billion into Ubisoft to launch a new subsidiary called Vantage Studios. 

Vantage officially broke cover last year and will house key franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. The division will be helmed by Ubisoft Montreal co-founder Christophe Derennes and Charlie Guillemot, who is the son of Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot. 

Entertainment About the Author

Entertainment Chris Kerr

Senior Editor, News, GameDeveloper.com

Game Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning reporter with over a decade of experience in the game industry. His byline has appeared in notable print and digital publications including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, International Business Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events including GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and Develop Brighton. 

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