Ubisoft has enforced a number of layoffs at its subsidiary Red Storm Entertainment. The scientifically driven studio, which has recently pivoted towards a VR-centric approach under Ubisoft’s helm, had duties spread across a variety of initiatives and assistance in developmental activities such as XDefiant. In an unsuspected move, Ubisoft carried out a workforce reduction, resulting in the loss of 19 jobs at Red Storm. This exercise, according to the French publisher, is a part of the ongoing targeted restructuring and cost-saving efforts worldwide.
Ubisoft provided a comprehensive statement highlighting that these job cuts at Red Storm Entertainment are solely due to its strategic restructuring and global cost-saving initiatives. The intention is to align more with the current necessities of the studio’s projects. While it had been a painful decision, Ubisoft avowed that its stands crucial to their operational priorities. As a part of this process, comprehensive severance packages, extended health-care benefits, and career guidance support are offered to those affected. The publisher acknowledged and thanked the outgoing workforce for their invaluable contributions to Ubisoft.
Though the depth of these cuts at Red Storm, which over the years has metamorphosized into a support studio with a strong inclination towards Virtual Reality, is not known, speculations are rife over the effect these cuts would have on its ongoing projects. Ubisoft explicitly clarified that the decision is a part of its restructuring plan and is not indicative of any extensive cuts at their end or any of their other teams.
The renowned Red Storm Entertainment was birthed in 1996 and has been the backbone in creating solid franchises under the Tom Clancy banner including the famous Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon series. To add another accolade, they heeded to the emerging tech trends and successfully launched Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR, exclusively for Meta Quest 2 and above devices. The marking of this long-standing franchise’s debut on VR platforms was no easy task. Apart from this, the studio made considerable contributions in supporting games like XDefiant that went into the oblivion earlier this year. They were also a part of several scrapped projects including a Splinter Cell VR title, and a free-to-play offshoot of The Division series titled Heartland. During Ubisoft’s tough phase, Red Storm played a pivotal role in mitigating the hard times with its creative and innovative solutions, particularly underlining the partnership with Tencent.
Unfortunately, the series of events at Red Storm Entertainment have displayed the tumultuous and changing times in the gaming industry, where even the most established are susceptible to global forces and cost-saving endeavors.
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