Ubisoft Barcelona Staff Strike Over Layoffs and Remote Work Policies
*Staff at Ubisoft Barcelona, a key support studio for Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, have begun a multi-week strike in protest of recent layoffs and company policies.* The industrial action, organized by the Spanish union La Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT), is scheduled to run from June 30th to July 17th.
According to union bulletins reported by outlets including Hobby Consolas and Insider Gaming, the strike is a direct response to Ubisoft's recent global restructuring, which includes cutting up to 380 roles. Ubisoft Barcelona was specifically named as a studio that would be "cut down and refocussed" on Rainbow Six Siege.
The strike at Ubisoft Barcelona centers on remote work and layoff concerns.
The CGT stated the walkout aims to stand up for laid-off colleagues and challenge corporate decisions. Beyond the layoffs, the broader dispute includes demands related to remote work policies and internal promotion plans, which will be detailed in subsequent strike actions.
Strike Schedule and Specific Worker Demands
Ubisoft Barcelona developers have begun a coordinated, multi-week strike, downing tools every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from June 30th to July 17th. The industrial action, organized by the Spanish union La Confederación General del Trabajo (CGT), is a direct response to Ubisoft's recent restructuring announcements at the studio.
The union has presented a specific list of demands to management. A core issue is the demand for the return of a 60/40 hybrid working model, reversing a return-to-office order that has been a point of contention since at least 2024. Furthermore, the union is seeking formal protection against future "collective dismissals"—the legal term for mass layoffs—for a minimum of five years.
Additional demands include the reinstatement of a previously agreed-upon internal promotion plan and a review of salary increases and workplace benefits. The strike action aims to halt production on the studio's projects during the scheduled walkout periods to pressure Ubisoft into negotiations over these terms.
Ubisoft Restructuring and the Impact of Tencent Funding
The industrial action at Ubisoft Barcelona is a direct response to a broader corporate restructuring plan, influenced by a major strategic investment from Chinese conglomerate Tencent. Earlier this month, Ubisoft announced a global reduction of approximately 380 roles as part of this refocusing effort.
According to the company's announcement, the restructuring is centralizing resources around three flagship franchises. This strategy is being pursued following a €1.16 billion funding injection from Tencent, which Ubisoft stated would be used to strengthen its biggest brands and streamline operations.
As part of this consolidation, Ubisoft Barcelona is being specifically downsized and refocused solely on supporting Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege. The studio's previous, more diversified work on other franchises, including various Assassin's Creed titles, is being phased out in favor of this dedicated role.
The strikes at the Barcelona studio highlight the localized human impact of this global corporate strategy, where broader financial decisions and portfolio prioritization are resulting in significant workforce reductions and changes to studio mandates.
Studio History and Upcoming Projects Under Pressure
The industrial action at Ubisoft Barcelona puts pressure on the studio's history of support work and its involvement in an upcoming high-profile remake. According to reports detailing the strike, the studio's past credits as a support studio include titles such as Rayman Raving Rabbids and Star Trek: Bridge Crew, alongside several Assassin's Creed games and Tom Clancy's The Division.
The studio is also credited on the forthcoming remake Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, which is scheduled for release in July. The ongoing labor dispute introduces uncertainty during a critical period for this and other projects, as the strike actions coincide with the final stages of the remake's launch window.
This strike occurs as Ubisoft restructures its studios, having announced it would refocus Ubisoft Barcelona specifically on Rainbow Six Siege. The move narrows the studio's historic portfolio, which spanned multiple major franchises, to concentrate on a single flagship license. The current labor action directly challenges the stability of this newly defined strategic focus.