Ubisoft Employees Speak Out: Low Salaries, Long Hours, High Stress

Employees at Ubisoft are expressing growing frustration over pay, working hours, and mounting workplace stress. Concerns about salary stagnation and demanding schedules have sparked broader conversations about labor conditions within the prominent video game company.

Social Unrest Escalates at Ubisoft

The first weeks of 2026 have proven turbulent for Ubisoft, the renowned French video game publisher. Discontent among its workforce reached a peak when nearly 1,200 employees took to the streets or downed tools in a widespread strike between February 10th and 12th. Organized by the union Solidaires Informatique, the action unfolded mainly in France but resonated as far as the company’s Milan office. This mobilization did not arise in isolation: it comes on the heels of sweeping cost-cutting measures and significant rounds of layoffs—policies that have left employees increasingly anxious about their future.

Clear Demands Amid Mounting Tensions

Striking staff articulated precise demands throughout the protest. Central to their grievances is a call for a 10% salary increase for all, alongside the implementation of a reduced four-day workweek—a proposal gaining traction across various industries. The return to mandatory full-time office attendance, instituted just as hundreds faced redundancy—with more job cuts expected through 2026—fueled additional frustration. The recent dismissal of an employee who openly opposed this forced return only intensified the sense of disillusionment among staff.

The Wider Industry Context

Yet, it’s important to remember that these tensions are not unique to Ubisoft. The unrest reflects broader unease across the video game industry, with companies such as Blizzard Entertainment also facing criticism over management strategies and labor conditions. Indeed, January saw early attempts by unions like Solidaires Informatique to rally workers beyond national borders. Several factors explain this coordinated movement:

• A surge in layoffs across leading gaming studios.
• Growing pushback against stricter in-office requirements.
• Calls for more humane working arrangements sector-wide.

Trouble on Creative Fronts

While employees march outside headquarters, internal operations at Ubisoft are being reshaped dramatically. High-profile project cancellations have rattled fans and staff alike—including the much-anticipated remake of “The Sands of Time,” part of the beloved Prince of Persia series. Studio closures and structural reorganization further underline that this is no ordinary period for one of gaming’s most prominent names.

In sum, the ongoing labor actions highlight a pivotal moment for both Ubisoft and the wider industry: economic uncertainty meets new worker expectations as everyone grapples with rapid, sometimes painful change.