Ubisoft has officially closed its Halifax studio, resulting in the layoff of 71 employees. This decision comes only weeks after a majority of the staff voted to form the first Ubisoft labor union in North America. While the timing has led to significant public scrutiny and accusations of union-busting from the Game & Media Workers Guild of Canada, Ubisoft maintains that the closure is part of a broader, two-year strategic plan to streamline operations and reduce costs. The publisher has stated that the move was necessary due to declining revenues from older titles and a general restructuring of their mobile gaming division.

Impact on Rainbow Six Mobile and Assassin’s Creed Jade

The closure has raised serious questions regarding the launch of several high-profile mobile titles. Ubisoft Halifax was a key contributor to the development of Rainbow Six Mobile, which was recently confirmed for a global launch on February 23, 2026. While official communication suggests that the game is still on track, the loss of a major supporting studio has sparked concerns about post-launch support and technical stability. Similarly, Assassin’s Creed Jade continues to face uncertainty, as Ubisoft reshuffles its internal resources and leans more heavily on its new business entity, Vantage Studios, which is partially backed by Tencent.

The Future of Ubisoft’s Mobile Strategy

The shutdown of Halifax is the latest in a series of cutbacks aimed at stabilizing Ubisoft’s financial position. As part of this transition, the live operations for Assassin’s Creed Rebellion, which was developed in Halifax, will be phased out. Moving forward, Ubisoft appears to be consolidating its major franchises like Far Cry, Assassin’s Creed, and Rainbow Six under the management of Vantage Studios to improve development efficiency. Impacted employees are reportedly being offered severance packages and career assistance, but the sudden move has left a chilling effect on other North American studios considering similar labor organization efforts.