In a surprising turn of events, Ubisoft has reportedly made significant staff reductions at its Abu Dhabi studio over the past month. This development follows closely on the heels of the company announcing the shutdown of its Halifax studio and suggesting layoffs at both Massive Entertainment and Ubisoft Stockholm.
According to several LinkedIn posts from employees who work at Ubisoft Abu Dhabi—some of which were shared within the last 24 hours—it appears that the French gaming giant began implementing these cuts as early as December 2025.
One employee, who served as the Social Media Manager for Ubisoft Abu Dhabi, expressed their feelings in a heartfelt LinkedIn post: "I’m signing off as Ubisoft Abu Dhabi's Social Media Manager due to the recent layoffs. I’m truly thankful for the four years and nine months I spent here." Another employee reflected on their experience, saying, "After being affected by the recent layoffs, I took some time to think back on the past three and a half years, and I can't help but feel grateful."
Additionally, another affected employee described their exit following a "recent restructuring" by stating, "As my time at the studio comes to a close, I want to acknowledge that it has been a journey filled with learning, teamwork, and personal growth; I am sincerely thankful for the experiences and relationships that made this chapter so impactful."
For further context, Ubisoft Abu Dhabi was founded in 2011 and was touted as a crucial 'regional hub' for game development. The studio's website highlights that it employed over 60 individuals and contributed to popular titles including "CSI: Hidden Crimes" and "Growtopia."
Game Developer reached out to Ubisoft earlier this week to inquire about the layoffs, but the company has not yet provided a response.
As the industry watches closely, one can’t help but wonder: what does this mean for the future of Ubisoft’s global operations and the gaming landscape as a whole? Will this pattern of layoffs continue, or is this just a temporary setback for the company? Join the conversation in the comments below and share your thoughts.
