Ubisoft Proposes Voluntary Departures Across Three German Studios
Ubisoft is planning to cut about 100 roles across its Dusseldorf, Berlin, and Mainz studios in Germany. The company has begun talks with the Works Council about a voluntary departure plan and hopes buyouts will prevent layoffs. More than half of the proposed reductions are expected at Dusseldorf, the largest of the three studios.
Ubisoft's German cuts follow years of contraction. Its global workforce fell from 20,729 in September 2022 to 16,590 by March 2026. Earlier this year it closed Winnipeg and Belgrade studios and reduced Barcelona roles. In January 2025, 185 positions were cut in the region, including about 65 in Dusseldorf.
The proposed German reductions are separate from 70 Singapore roles being eliminated. Mainz leads Anno development and released Anno 117: Pax Romana in November 2025. Berlin and Dusseldorf support projects such as Rainbow Six Siege and Rayman Legends Retold. Dusseldorf, the largest site, has over 400 staff; the other two each have just over 100.
The proposed buyouts could affect roughly 100 workers and their families, especially in Dusseldorf, where the largest share may fall. If voluntary departures do not reach targets, layoffs may follow, adding uncertainty to local employment and game-development talent networks. Studio support roles and the Mainz-led Anno team may also see morale and retention effects. The wider industry could read this as continued consolidation, though voluntary measures may soften immediate harm.