Ubisoft’s Workforce Remains Massive Despite Recent Layoffs

Ubisoft has endured a turbulent period recently. Earlier this year, the publisher announced a sweeping restructuring initiative involving game cancellations, layoffs, and the integration of generative AI. This followed several challenging years for the company. Through a mix of "voluntary" reductions and involuntary layoffs, Ubisoft cut approximately 1,200 jobs over the past year. Despite these cuts, the company still retains a workforce of roughly 16,600 employees.

This significant headcount has drawn attention from Daniel Vávra, the director behind Kingdom Come: Deliverance 1 and 2. Vávra, who is currently working on a film adaptation and has stepped down as creative director for Warhorse’s upcoming projects in favor of Prokop Jirsa and Viktor Bocan, highlighted the sheer scale of Ubisoft’s remaining staff on X.

A Comparison of Scale and Efficiency

Vávra’s comments underscore the disparity in size between Ubisoft and Warhorse Studios. He noted that Ubisoft’s current staff count is equivalent to about 70 Warhorse-sized studios. This observation led to a provocative suggestion regarding Ubisoft’s potential output:

  • The remaining workforce could theoretically produce ten games of the scale and quality of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
  • These titles could be developed over seven-year cycles and released annually.

Vávra, who previously mentioned owning Ubisoft stock, jokingly asked his followers if he should "buy the current dip," highlighting the contrast between the company's vast resources and its recent performance.

Contextualizing the Criticism

Vávra is known for his pugnacious online presence. His history includes aligning with the far-right Gamergate movement, which sparked controversy, particularly when he introduced a gay relationship and a prominent black Muslim character into Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. This stance alienated some former allies while drawing praise from others.

While Vávra frequently critiques studios that produce well-received games despite having fewer resources, his comparison here warrants scrutiny. Ubisoft is a multinational corporation with offices across Europe, North America, and Asia. In contrast, Warhorse primarily operates within Czechia.

Operational Challenges in Global vs. Local Studios

When speaking with Warhorse co-founder Martin Klima and Prokop Jirsa, the benefits of their location became clear. Operating in Czechia is significantly cheaper than working in global hubs. Additionally, coordinating development across studios in a single country presents far fewer logistical challenges than managing Ubisoft’s sprawling, multinational structure.

Ubisoft’s Leadership and Future Outlook

Despite the unfairness of a direct comparison, Ubisoft’s recent management has faced valid criticism. The company has struggled with various high-profile issues, including:

  • Its controversial NFT initiatives.
  • A series of layoffs affecting morale and stability.
  • The difficult development cycle of Skull & Bones.
  • The ongoing, uncertain status of Beyond Good and Evil 2.

For a long time, Ubisoft has appeared to lack clear direction. While Vávra’s jabs may not be entirely fair due to the structural differences between the companies, Ubisoft’s leadership has certainly earned the scrutiny regarding their management of vast resources.