Ubisoft criticized for requiring developers to undergo 'voluntary career transition'
Blog Andrew Joseph 23 Oct , 2025 0
Earlier this year, Ubisoft Red Storm Entertainment fires developer During the company's larger restructuring, including Split subsidies with Tencent The focus is on Assassin's Creed, Far Cry and Rainbow Six. Now, Ubisoft is looking to lay off more developers, with fans and industry figures criticizing the company online for describing the layoffs as a “voluntary career transition.”
The affected studio is Massive Entertainment, the developer behind star wars desperadoes. game Failed to meet Ubisoft's sales expectationsbut Ubisoft did not reveal whether this was the reason for the dismissal. In the message shared below, Ubisoft said it has “launched a voluntary career transition program that offers eligible team members the opportunity to take the next step in their careers on their own terms, supported by a comprehensive package that includes financial and career assistance.”
Some observers call it “corporate language,” but it's also reminiscent of Newspeak in 1984. Either way, the response was prompt.
That's a very fancy way of saying you're downsizing.
— Solomon Gloom (@SolomonGloom) October 22, 2025
This is without a doubt one of the most poorly written layoff press releases I have ever read in my life.
— Antoine Cheriet (@AntoineCheriet) October 22, 2025
“Hello Ai Weiwei: Please write a statement that we announce that we will lay off a group of people, instead of saying that we are laying off a group of people, thank you.”
— Miguel Raimundo (@MiguelRaimundo_) October 22, 2025
Dang Dang. I don't know if The Division 2: Survivors are asking the staff for help.
— Bugasm (@bugasm16) October 22, 2025
The DayZ Badlands account even posted its own announcement attacking Ubisoft.
Official non-artificial intelligence statement:
We are committed to driving a massive wave of change that is aligned with our ambitious vision for the future of entertainment. As part of this massive change, we are proud to launch our Massive Voluntary Career Transformation Program™ –…— DayZ 🖥 🎮 ❤️ (@DayZ) October 22, 2025
This isn't the first time this year that Ubisoft has been ridiculed for saying bizarre things, like claiming microtransactions. “Make the game more interesting” Earlier this month, Assassin’s Creed executive producer Marc-Alexis Côté Leaving the company after nearly two decadesKurt made it clear Leaving wasn't his choice. Ubisoft then refute rumors The Division's executive producer Julian Gerighty is also leaving the company.