A union representing video game workers in Spain has organized a three-day strike against Ubisoft Barcelona following the release of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. The Spanish Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego (CSVI) union is protesting planned layoffs that would affect 51 developers at the studio, with the strike scheduled to run from July 14th to July 16th.
Ubisoft Barcelona was reportedly set for a restructure to focus exclusively on Rainbow Six games after completing its work on the Assassin's Creed remake. The union is seeking to prevent these layoffs, secure stronger guarantees against future mass redundancies, reinstate a policy allowing up to 60% remote work, and ensure previously promised promotions and pay raises are granted.
Developers have voiced frustration over the situation on social media. One tech and gameplay animator stated that the team responsible for the underwater shipwreck exploration in Black Flag Resynced is now facing dismissal, expressing that "Ubisoft thinks that's what we deserve." Another employee, a QA/QC lead with seven years at the studio, shared on LinkedIn that the entire Assassin's Creed team at Ubisoft Barcelona was informed of a collective redundancy plan shortly before the game's launch. Despite proposing new Assassin's Creed projects, the studio has been informed that no further mandates will be given, leading to the planned release of 51 staff by the end of July.