Developers at Ubisoft Barcelona have initiated a three-day strike to protest a wave of layoffs, just days after the studio celebrated the successful launch of Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced. The industrial action, organized by the union La Confederación General del Trabajo, follows the company's announcement that 51 roles at the Barcelona studio are set to be cut as part of a broader restructuring.

Quick Facts

  • Affected Locations: Ubisoft Barcelona, with additional reductions in Winnipeg and Belgrade.
  • Strike Dates: July 14, 15, and 16, 2026.
  • Game Performance: Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced sold over 2 million copies on its first day.
  • Restructuring Goal: Ubisoft plans to transition the Barcelona facility into a Rainbow Six-focused studio.

Contributions to Black Flag Resynced

The strike comes during a period of high performance for the game, which launched on July 9, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X. While the title has received widespread praise for its visuals and gameplay, the developers behind those features are now facing redundancy.

Reports indicate the Barcelona team was instrumental in the project's development. Their contributions included the creation of all swimming systems, underwater mechanics, biomes, and animal behavior. Furthermore, the team developed underwater wrecks, smuggler dens, three main naval quests, 15 naval side contracts, and four Assassin Contracts. They also handled the development of the entire Gibara region—including Crooked Island, Salt Lagoon, and Mariguana Island—alongside enemy AI and boss encounters.

Tensions Over Strategic Shifts

The restructuring plan was initially revealed in June. In a flyer circulated by the union, staff expressed frustration with the company's justification for the cuts: “After an intense production, the company claims a ‘strategic shift’ to justify these layoffs. After years of dedication to our team, the company has turned its back on us. We will never see the fruits of our labour, and the reward for our hard work will be the loss of our jobs.”

Isabel Codina García, a quality assurance lead at the studio, characterized the situation as “bittersweet” following the news of the redundancy plan. With the strike now underway, the future of the remaining team members remains a focal point of the ongoing labor dispute at Ubisoft.