Ubisoft Shuts Down Halifax Studio and Scraps 6 Games in Massive $1 Billion Reset

Ubisoft is undergoing a total organizational reset to fix what it calls a persistently more selective gaming market. The French giant announced today it is cutting costs by $500 million euro, cancelling several projects, and requiring all staff to return to the office five days a week.

The company admitted that while high-quality games have more potential than ever, the cost to build them has become unsustainable under its old model.

Six Games Scrapped and Seven Delayed

As part of this portfolio cleanup, Ubisoft has officially cancelled six games. This includes the high-profile Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake and four unannounced titles, one of which was a mobile game. To ensure the remaining games actually hit quality standards, Ubisoft is also delaying seven other titles. This includes a major unannounced game originally set for 2026 that will now launch in 2027. Ouch.

The Five New Creative Houses

Starting in April, Ubisoft will abandon its centralized structure and split into five Creative Houses. Each unit will have its own leadership and full financial responsibility for its brands. The first unit, Vantage Studios, is focused on the billion-dollar brands like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. The second is the Shooter House, which handles competitive titles like The Division, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell. A third house for Live Experiences will manage long-term service games like Skull & Bones, The Crew, and For Honor.

The remaining two houses are dedicated to Fantasy and Narrative worlds like Anno and Rayman, and a Casual and Family division for Just Dance and various mobile titles.

Studio Closures and Full Return to Office

The reset includes immediate studio closures in Stockholm and Halifax (it claimed the closure had nothing to do with the recent union vote), along with major staff cuts in Abu Dhabi, Finland, and at Massive Entertainment in Sweden. In a move to strengthen collaboration, Ubisoft is also requiring all employees to work on-site five days a week. While there is a small allowance for working from home, the company says in-person work is necessary to stay competitive in the high-end market.

Financially, the move is a massive hit in the short term, as Ubisoft expects to report a $1 billion euro loss this year due to the cost of cancelling these games and restructuring the business. CEO Yves Guillemot stated this decisive turning point is the only way to return the company to steady growth by 2027.