Welp. We’re just one week into 2026, and we’re already seeing the layoff machine start ramping up. This time, it’s publishing giant Ubisoft making a studio closure. ‘Ubisoft Halifax’, which is based in Canada is set to close – and that’s despite the recent formation of a union for employees there.
Ubisoft Halifax is the team behind mobile Assassin’s Creed Title, ‘Assassin’s Creed: Rebellion‘ which released back in 2018. What makes this even worse is that only last month, the team at Ubisoft Halifax successfully formed a union, with 61 workers signed up with the ‘Game & Media Workers Guild of Canada’. That union was only certified as of December 18th, 2025.
In a statement (via the lovely folks at Insider Gaming), Ubisoft said “Over the past 24 months, Ubisoft has undertaken company-wide actions to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. As part of this, Ubisoft has made the difficult decision to close its Halifax studio. 71 positions will be affected. We are committed to supporting all impacted team members during this transition with resources, including comprehensive severance packages and additional career assistance.”
Apparently the decision was made ‘well before’ staff unionised – but well, let’s be honest. The optics aren’t great any way you slice it. While revenue generated from Assassin’s Creed: Rebellion has been declining and the game was no longer getting new content, the team at Ubisoft Halifax were working on new mobile titles in both the Assassin’s Creed and Rainbox Six franchises.
How do you feel about Ubisoft closing it’s Halifax Studio? Let us know in the XboxEra Forums or make some noise in the lively XboxEra Community Discord Server. If you’re looking to be a bigger part of an amazing community, then either choice is a good one!
