Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Manufacturer Ubisoft is losing developers to what some employees call a “great exodus”. according to a new Axios report. Reasons for the higher turnover rate include low pay, better opportunities, and frustration at the company’s allegations of workplace misconduct.
Axios interviewed 12 current and former Ubisoft developers about the resignations and found that five were “Top 25 Developers” on Far Cry 6 left the studio. Twelve people from the “Top 50” developers of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla also left. But it’s not just big names and developers: Axios said Ubisoft’s Canadian studios are making losses. Two developers said the resignations “stalled or slowed projects” in the studio.
Ubisoft has reportedly offered pay increases to all employees at its Canadian studios in an attempt to prevent workers from leaving. Kotaku reported in November. Ubisoft’s chief people officer, Anika Grant, told Axios that the salary increases helped improve retention by 50%, with the retention rate at 12%. The raises only apply to Canadian studios, however, and other Ubisoft developers are frustrated that they haven’t received any raise.
Ubisoft, like Activision Blizzard, has faced allegations of workplace misconduct and abuse of sexual harassment cases in recent years. A 2020 Kotaku report outlined a culture at Ubisoft where sexism and harassment are normalized.
“[Bosses] constantly emphasized ‘keep going’ and ‘looking ahead’ while ignoring the complaints, worries and screams of their employees, ”one developer told Axios.
The departure of employees at Ubisoft seems in line with what some are calling “The great resignation” a movement in which people in all industries are quitting their jobs at record rates. Montreal, home of Ubisoft’s largest studio with more than 4,000 employees, is an expanding center for game developmentmaking it easier for workers to look for something new in the city they already work in.
Ubisoft has not responded to Polygon’s request for comment, despite a spokesman for Axios that it has hired 2,600 employees since April.
