PARIS — February 4, 2026: Ubisoft is facing escalating internal unrest after multiple French labor unions publicly demanded the resignation of long-time CEO Yves Guillemot. The demand comes amid falling stock value, layoffs, studio closures, and a controversial company-wide restructuring initiative that employees say has severely damaged trust in leadership.
A coalition of unions has called for an international strike scheduled for February 10–12, 2026, potentially marking one of the largest labor actions in the company's history.
Ubisoft's Financial and Corporate Crisis Intensifies
The resignation demand follows a turbulent January for the French publisher. Ubisoft shares dropped more than 30%, marking the worst trading performance in company history, after leadership announced a €200 million cost-reduction plan.
The restructuring included:
- Cancellation of six game projects, including Prince of Persia: The Sand of Time Remake
- Closure of development studios in Halifax and Stockholm
- Workforce reductions expected to affect approximately 200 employees in Paris
Union representatives argue the company's difficulties reflect long-term leadership failures rather than short-term financial pressure.
Union Leaders Accuse Ubisoft Leadership of Isolation and Nepotism
Solidaires Informatique union representatives Marc Rutschlé and Chakib Mataoui claim Guillemot has created a leadership environment resistant to new perspectives and creative direction.
"If you only appoint close personal connections to leadership roles, you limit diversity of thought and restrict creative evolution."
The criticism intensified following Ubisoft's appointment of Charlie Guillemot, the CEO's son, to lead the company's newly formed Vantage Studios division. Union officials argue the move reinforces employee concerns about executive favoritism during a period of layoffs and restructuring.
Return-to-Office Mandate Fuels Employee Frustration
Worker dissatisfaction has also increased following Ubisoft's decision to implement a strict five-day in-office attendance policy. Union representatives state the mandate contradicts previously agreed hybrid work arrangements and was introduced without meaningful consultation with employees.
Several workers reportedly learned about upcoming layoffs through public announcements rather than internal company communications, further weakening trust between staff and management.
Legacy Workplace Controversies Continue to Impact Employee Morale
Union officials say current tensions are also linked to Ubisoft's 2020 sexual harassment scandal. Although multiple executives resigned following the investigation, many employees believe accountability measures were insufficient.
Rutschlé stated that unresolved cultural issues have contributed to historically low morale across Ubisoft's workforce.
International Strike Planned for February 10–12
Five labor organizations, including STJV and CGT, have formally called for a coordinated strike across Ubisoft's international workforce. Union leaders say the strike is intended to pressure leadership into implementing structural reforms and improving transparency in corporate decision-making.
If widely supported, the strike could disrupt development pipelines across multiple Ubisoft studios.
Industry Impact and Investor Concerns
Ubisoft has not publicly responded to the resignation demand at the time of publication. Industry analysts note that leadership stability remains a major factor influencing investor confidence as Ubisoft attempts to recover from declining valuation and development delays.
The outcome of the February strike may determine whether Ubisoft leadership pursues significant organizational reforms or continues its current restructuring strategy.
Author's Note
Ubisoft's current challenges appear to be the result of long-term internal and financial pressures rather than a single corporate failure. Coverage of the company increasingly reflects an ongoing erosion of internal confidence rather than isolated crises.
