Gaming giant Ubisoft recently initiated a major organizational restructuring, including a policy requiring all employees to return to the office five days a week. This move has drawn significant internal and external attention. David Michaud-Cromp, a 13-year veteran who had long contributed to the development of the "Assassin's Creed" series, was first suspended and then fired by the company after publicly opposing the policy. The incident quickly escalated into a focal point for discussions on labor rights and corporate governance.
In its January 2026 restructuring statement, Ubisoft announced plans for "all teams to return to the office five days a week, complemented by a certain number of work-from-home days annually." The company emphasized that in the highly competitive AAA market, "in-person collaboration is a key factor in fostering collective efficiency, creativity, and success."
However, Michaud-Cromp later took to LinkedIn to directly challenge this assertion. He stated, "Ubisoft says they believe in collaboration, but honestly, everyone knows why they want everyone back in the office." He added, "This isn't about efficiency or collaboration; it's another cleaner way to conduct layoffs."
Shortly after his statement, Michaud-Cromp reported that he had received a "three-day unpaid disciplinary suspension" for his comments. Days later, he confirmed on social media that he had been fired, writing, "Today, I was immediately terminated by Ubisoft. This was not my decision, and I will not be discussing any internal details."
In response, Ubisoft told external media outlets that "sharing feedback or opinions in a respectful manner does not lead to termination." The company stated that it has clear internal codes of conduct that employees read and sign annually, and if these codes are violated, appropriate disciplinary procedures are initiated based on the nature and severity of the breach.
Furthermore, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot acknowledged in the restructuring announcement that the company would "accelerate cost-cutting measures to resize the organization," hinting at potential future layoffs. Currently, Ubisoft has proposed a "voluntary departure" plan that could affect up to 200 employees at its Paris headquarters, drawing strong backlash from French labor unions.
via： GamesRadar+