Despite the successful launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, Ubisoft Barcelona has announced layoffs affecting 51 employees, many of whom contributed directly to the project. The cuts were revealed on June 10 and come shortly after the team completed work on the game, raising further concerns about Ubisoft's ongoing restructuring efforts.
According to reports from Insider Gaming, several employees said the layoffs appeared to have been planned regardless of the game's commercial performance. Sources familiar with the development process stated that Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced generated strong interest before launch, with pre-orders meeting internal expectations ahead of release.
Team Reportedly Left Without a New Project
Employees familiar with Ubisoft's internal development process noted that studios are typically assigned their next project well before their current one is completed, in some cases up to a year in advance. However, members of the Barcelona team reportedly raised concerns as early as summer 2025 that no new assignment had been provided after Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced.
Those concerns ultimately became reality when the studio's Assassin's Creed team was disbanded shortly after finishing development, resulting in 51 job losses despite the title's positive reception.
Employees Raise Concerns Over Workplace Culture
One employee affected by the layoffs told Insider Gaming anonymously that the situation reflects wider issues within the company rather than an isolated restructuring.
According to the employee, the layoffs are part of a broader pattern involving the loss of experienced staff, declining workers' rights, forced departures, and an increasingly centralized management structure that limits employee involvement in decisions affecting development teams.
Sources also reported that Ubisoft Barcelona canceled its planned launch celebration for Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. Instead, the studio reportedly held a smaller catered gathering following the game's release.
Strike Action Announced
In response to the layoffs, employees at Ubisoft Barcelona announced industrial action through the Video Game Union Coordinating Committee. Staff members are scheduled to strike every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon between June 30 and July 16, resulting in six separate strike sessions over a three-week period.
The strike has been organized in protest of the layoffs and what employees describe as unfair treatment.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Receives Positive Reception
While Ubisoft Barcelona faces significant workforce reductions, Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced has performed well critically and among players. At the time of writing, the game holds an 84 score on Metacritic and has received positive feedback from both critics and the wider community.
The contrast between the game's commercial and critical success and the subsequent layoffs has prompted renewed discussion surrounding job security within the video game industry. For many developers, the situation highlights ongoing concerns that even successful releases may not guarantee long-term stability as publishers continue restructuring efforts.
