Ubisoft's recent company-wide reset has led to the cancellation of six games, studio closures, and a proposed 200 voluntary redundancies in France, prompting unions to vote for strikes. The move includes the scrapping of the long-delayed Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake and a price increase for the Just Dance+ service. Shares fell 34 percent, marking the company's lowest value in 15 years.
Last week, Ubisoft announced a major organisational reset, cancelling six unannounced games and the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, which was first revealed in 2020 and had faced multiple delays, including a full restart in 2023. The company also delayed seven other titles, closed its Halifax mobile studio and Stockholm studio, and mandated a return to five days of in-office work for remaining staff.
As part of cost-reduction efforts, Ubisoft proposed a voluntary redundancy scheme under France's Rupture Conventionnelle Collective process, potentially affecting up to 200 positions at its Paris headquarters—about 18 percent of the 1,100 employees there. A spokesperson stated: "This remains a proposal, and no decision will be final until a collective agreement is reached with employee representatives and validated by French authorities."
In response, French unions including STJV, Solidaires Informatique, CFE-CGC, CGT, and Printemps écologique unanimously voted for strike action from February 10 to 12, coordinating with international counterparts. The restructuring follows previous failed overhauls and a $1.25 billion bailout from Tencent, amid an 80 percent loss in company value over eight years.
The Prince of Persia cancellation drew personal backlash from actor Eman Ayaz, presumed to be playing Farah. She learned of it online via her brother and described it as "the most devastating moment of my career." Ayaz, a 26-year-old Canadian Pakistani, dedicated three years to the role, filming marketing material two months ago despite a broken foot. "It's just as if it never existed," she said, noting the project's life-changing potential.
Meanwhile, leaks of 2024 pre-alpha concept art surfaced online, which Ubisoft swiftly removed via copyright strikes. Separately, the Just Dance+ subscription will rise in April due to evolving song licensing costs: monthly from $4 to $5, three months from $10 to $13, and yearly from $25 to $30. Ubisoft explained: "Every song available in the service relies on licensing agreements that evolve over time."
