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Ubisoft is Closing Down the Benelux office

IbizaPocholo

NeoGAFs Kent Brockman

The latest effort in Ubisoft's plan to cut operating costs has resulted in the company shutting down multiple European locations. An internal email that was leaked publicly confirmed that Ubisoft management decided to "close a number of subsidiaries in Europe." These shutdowns include the Ubisoft Benelux office and the layoff of "most" of the location's employees starting April 1.

As explanation for the closure of Ubisoft Benelux and other European Ubisoft locations, the company referenced "several challenges due to external factors." Listed factors include falling physical game sales, digitizing communication channels, a shift toward free-to-play games over major retail releases, and both mobile and seasonal projects being prioritized over physical products. In other words, Ubisoft's moving more toward online experiences and online work is leading to less need for infrastructure to support physical products.

While it isn't entirely clear what each of the locations Ubisoft is closing down was responsible for, Ubisoft Benelux is implied to have handled the market of Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. That would include marketing and distribution. Ubisoft says that it's planning to outsource the distribution of physical games within the Benelux, with a distributor to be announced at a later date.
 

Varteras

Gold Member
Episode 2 Whatever GIF
 

IbizaPocholo

NeoGAFs Kent Brockman

  • Ubisoft Entertainment SA is closing its sales offices in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and the Nordics.
  • The decision comes after disappointing sales in the fiscal quarter ending in December.
  • The commercial office closures will affect about 60 employees.
  • This move is part of a reorganization of its European and Canadian units.
  • Ubisoft has more than 20,000 employees worldwide.
  • The company is implementing a cost-cutting plan to improve its financial situation.
  • The closures will impact the company's operations in Europe.
  • The company has not disclosed any details regarding potential future office openings.
  • The closure of these offices is expected to take place in the coming months.
 

Rykan

Member
It's shame that they have to close down studios buts it's their mistake that people don't buy their copy pasted games. Hogwart's, Elder Ring showed us that if you release a good game people will buy it.
But people do keep buying their games. The latest Assassin's Creed is the entry with the highest revenue in the entire franchise.
 
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