Ubisoft’s position as a French company requires them to write an annual report aimed at all audiences. On this official documentBeyond focusing on financial matters, other aspects of the company are discussed and it is necessary to list a series of risks and problems that each company has.
In addition, this document should list the measures that are being taken to mitigate the impact of these problems and offer long-term solutions. The document mentions several “high” risk issues, some at “moderate” and none at “low”.
Long-term risks
Ubisoft like big problems losing access to the publication of a game by depending on a third party, restrictions on certain markets or having to delay a game. It also considers that the fact that the competition does something innovative or the existence of government regulations as “high risk”, so there are not few problems related to games.
However, what has attracted the most attention is that Ubisoft sees as risk problems something the loss of creative talent and the inability to retain or attract these employees. In addition, it lists the toxic behavior of some employees as “moderate”.
Ubisoft does not say this directly but mentions as a possibility that the loss of talent is linked to toxic behavior in the office. It is something that we all know to be true, after the dozens of accusations by employees towards others in high positions that occurred last year. Ubisfot remembers the allegations but not their resolution and only sees them as a “moderate” problem.
Possible solutions
Among the solutions he proposes offering mandatory group therapy courses for all employees or the creation of a new position (Vice President of Global Diversity) that survives employee relations. It also raises an anonymous communication channel for complaints and creates an environment with better digital communication in the office.
Recall that after all the controversy in 2020 there were a few layoffs and resignations, but the exact measures have not transcended. What’s more, according to Bloomberg, employees remain unhappy because they feel that nothing has changed.
So while Ubi is doing well financially, things are going badly in the internal relations department and they may lose their dominance in the long run if they continue to lose employees thanks to workgroup toxicity.
