Ubisoft plans around 100 job cuts across its Düsseldorf, Berlin and Mainz studios

Ubisoft plans to cut about 100 jobs across its three German studios in Düsseldorf, Berlin and Mainz, GamesIndustry.biz reported, citing Game File. The reductions would mainly come through a voluntary departure plan, which is now being negotiated with employee representatives.

A Ubisoft representative told Game File that the company started talks with the Works Council last week about a proposed voluntary departure plan covering all three studios. The representative described the voluntary plan as the main measure Ubisoft is proposing to carry out the planned organizational changes. Ubisoft did not say how many employees the plan could affect.

According to Game File, more than half of the cuts are expected at Düsseldorf, the biggest of the three studios. After a town hall meeting, Ubisoft zone managing director Benedikt Grindel reportedly wrote in an email that the goal was to “best position our German studios for the future… with a clearer focus on their role, capabilities, and organisational setup needed for the work ahead.”

Game File’s sources said one payout formula under discussion would pay departing workers their monthly salary multiplied by 1.5 and by their years of service. According to Game File, that formula is still being negotiated, has not been formally offered to staff, and could change or come with extra bonuses. The Ubisoft representative said the terms are still being negotiated with employee representatives, adding: “No final agreement has been reached, and we won’t comment on specific proposals while discussions are ongoing.”

The German cuts come shortly after Ubisoft proposed closing Trials developer RedLynx and cut jobs at Ubisoft Singapore. GamesIndustry.biz said both moves belong to Ubisoft’s ongoing cost-reduction program, which moved into its final phase this year. As part of a wider reorganization into six “Creative Houses,” Ubisoft has closed its Stockholm, Halifax, Winnipeg and Belgrade locations, canceled six titles and reduced its global headcount. Düsseldorf was also among the studios affected by 185 job cuts last year, along with Stockholm and Reflections, and Ubisoft Leamington was closed in the same round.