Despite Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced being considered a successful launch by Ubisoft, 51 employees at Ubisoft Barcelona, many of whom worked on the game, will be celebrating its launch by seeking new employment.
Announced on June 10, 51 employees at Ubisoft Barcelona face layoffs, with those who spoke to Insider Gaming saying the layoffs felt premeditated and were going to happen no matter how successful Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced was.
That’s because Ubisoft tends to assign a new project to teams well before they complete their current project, sometimes a year in advance. However, despite the Barcelona team raising concerns about not being assigned a new project as far back as summer 2025, no such assignment was given.
Even a Successful Game Launch Means You’re Not Safe at Ubisoft
According to those familiar with how Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced performed prior to launch, the game was highly successful in terms of interest and pre-orders.
Yet just days after completing all its work on Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, the Assassin’s Creed Barcelona team was disbanded, with 51 employees laid off.
One employee, who was affected by the layoffs, told Insider Gaming under the condition of anonymity, ” These layoffs coincide with the broader context of ongoing workplace issues. This is not an isolated event; it reflects a pattern of constant mistreatment, loss of talent, forced departures resulting from the erosion of workers’ rights, and an increasingly top-down management culture that leaves employees with little voice in decisions affecting their work.”
According to sources, the studio’s celebration launch event was also canceled, instead replaced by a small catering get-together at the studio.
Employees at Ubisoft Barcelona have announced through the Video Game Union Coordinating Committee that they will strike each Tuesday and Thursday afternoon between June 30 and July 16, for a total of six strikes over a three-week period, due to the injustice.
At the time of writing, Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced has an 84 Metacritic score and has received rave reviews from the community.
READ MORE – Insider Gaming’s Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Review
It’s likely a game that could turn many people’s negative perception of Ubisoft around, but if employees still face being laid off even after releasing a game deemed great by the community and pundits and that meets internal expectations, then what’s the point? How can developers be the best they can be when no matter what, a big cloud of despair looms over them?
Both current and former employees can contact me securely and anonymously at [email protected] if you would like to weigh in on current events or share your story.
For more, learn about the massive shake-up XBOX is currently undergoing. Also, don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Tom Henderson is Insider Gaming's Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief. When he's not running one of the industry's leading independent video game websites, he's probably playing an FPS like Call of Duty,…
More from Tom Henderson
Success? Yeah no. Getting a bunch of media sources praising a game doesn’t mean amazing. Also with the rut Ubisoft is in no. Also game just came out it’ll be a while. Matt Ryan ain’t cheap and neither is development and AC is a near dead brand not many seem to care. Honestly I think flop but we’ll see.
Gamers, let’s reward Ubislop for exploiting your nostalgia and their workers.