Ubisoft proposes voluntary departure plan to cut about 100 jobs in Germany

Ubisoft intends to cut its German headcount by approximately 100 people across its Düsseldorf, Berlin and Mainz studios, according to GamesIndustry.biz, which cites reporting from Game File. A Ubisoft representative told Game File that discussions with the Works Council began last week on a proposed voluntary departure plan. The representative called the voluntary plan the primary measure proposed to support the intended organisational changes.

Game File reports that more than half of the reductions are expected at Düsseldorf. Ubisoft declined to say how many employees the voluntary plan may affect. Per Game File, a follow-up email after a town hall said the aim is to position the German studios for the future, with a clearer focus on their role, capabilities and organisational setup.

On compensation, Game File's sources said a formula under discussion could pay a worker's monthly salary multiplied by 1.5 and by their years at the company. Game File added that the formula is still subject to negotiation, has not been part of an official offer to workers, and could be adjusted or supplemented with bonuses. Ubisoft said no final agreement has been reached and it will not comment on specific proposals while talks continue.

The plan follows the closure of Trials developer RedLynx and recent job cuts at Ubisoft Singapore. GamesIndustry.biz describes both as part of Ubisoft's cost-reduction initiative, which reached its "final" phase this year. Last year, Düsseldorf was one of three studios hit by 185 job cuts, alongside Stockholm and Reflections, and Ubisoft Leamington was closed.

The company is also restructuring into six "Creative Houses". It has shut locations in Stockholm, Halifax, Winnipeg and Belgrade, cancelled six titles and reduced its global workforce. Last month Creative House 2 was renamed Massive Entertainment, which now oversees Tom Clancy's The Division, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell and new original IP such as March of the Giants.

For now this is a proposal under negotiation, not a finalised program. The headcount, the payout terms and the split between studios could all change, and the figures come from Ubisoft statements and unnamed sources cited by Game File.