Developers at Ubisoft Barcelona have launched a strike this week in response to the news that 51 staff members are set to be laid off at the end of July. The move comes just weeks after the successful launch of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, which has seen the biggest Steam launch in the series' history and currently stands as the fourth-highest-rated title in the franchise.
A Bittersweet Success
The layoffs were initiated by Vantage Studios—the joint venture between Ubisoft and Tencent established last year. Despite the critical and commercial reception of Black Flag Resynced, which launched on July 9, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X, the team responsible for the game's development is being dismantled.
The tension between the game's success and the studio's future became public when Manel Cota, a tech and gameplay animator at Ubisoft Barcelona, responded to praise on Twitter. After a fan account highlighted the game's underwater technology and exploration, Cota stated: "Thanks! Ubisoft Barcelona did all the underwater levels. And that same team is being fired right now because Ubisoft thinks that's what we deserve."
Strike Demands
The strike, which is scheduled to take place over three days, is supported by the Spanish union La Confederación General del Trabajo. Their bulletin outlines specific goals for the labor action, including:
- Retention of the 51 employees slated for termination.
- Implementation of job protections to prevent further mass layoffs for a minimum of five years.
- Standardization of work-from-home options for staff.
- Immediate fulfillment of previously agreed-upon employee promotions.
Ubisoft has indicated that it plans to keep a lower profile following the release of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, as the company prepares for what it describes as "significantly bigger" years ahead involving a larger slate of upcoming titles.