Yves Guillemot wrote a letter to Ubisoft staff regarding the recent news that XDefiant would shut down in July next year. The letter was of course, not meant for the public but it leaked soon after it was sent. It details quite a lot of ongoing issues at Ubisoft as well as the recent cancellation of XDefiant and other titles.
Yves starts off by expressing his deepest gratitude toward the people who have been let go at the company in recent months. Ubisoft has not been open about the layoffs at the company but reports claim that various staff have been let go amidst the recent delays and cancellations.
The recent XDefiant news resulted in close to 300 staff members losing their jobs at Ubisoft across the San Francisco, Osaka and Sydney teams.
The memo goes on to address the ongoing crisis in the video game industry as Yves claims Ubisoft has minimized the damage by restructuring departments and shifting projects around. He says whatever happens, the long-term perspective of Ubisoft is always top of mind.
“The entire industry is facing similar difficult decisions, yet often the scale of the impact is much larger. Our organization has allowed us to limit the impact of these kinds of decisions and make more targeted restructurings, and all our efforts are focused on trying to maintain this course and philosophy. We will continue working on evolving our organization to adapt it to market changes, and with a long-term perspective in mind.”
Guillemot says that a recent company survey hosted internally by Ubisoft had a staggering 85% response rate with over 55,000 comments from staff across all divisions. The responses were critical and Guillemot says management is compelled to take them to heart and live up to staff expectations. The letter ends with a heartfelt closing where he promises to guide staff through the “turbulent times”.
“I want you to know that all my energy is focused on finding the means to guide Ubisoft through these turbulent times. I am working tirelessly with my team to identify the best solutions so we can maintain control of our destiny. This company – the incredible gem we’ve built together over the past 38 years – means everything to me. It’s a part of who I am, it’s in my core.”
Here is the full letter
“Hello everyone,
It has been some time since I last spoke to you, and I apologize for this silence, especially as the past months have been challenging and unsettling for Ubisoft and likely for each of you.
The announcement by Marie-Sophie regarding the discontinuation of XDefiant, the closure of the San Francisco and Osaka studios, and the ramp down of the Sydney production site is among the difficult decisions we’ve had to make.
I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the tremendous work done by the XDefiant’s teams. Their goal was to challenge the best shooter on the market, but despite the intensity of their efforts, it was not enough.
To everyone leaving Ubisoft, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the work you have accomplished and the contributions you have made. We will do everything possible to provide you with the best support during this transition phase.
We wanted to take a firm and clear decision to enable us to concentrate our investments and forces on more profitable projects.
I am well aware that, given the current context, such announcements may worry you, and that’s understandable. The entire industry is facing similar difficult decisions, yet often the scale of the impact is much larger. Our organization has allowed us to limit the impact of these kinds of decisions and make more targeted restructurings, and all our efforts are focused on trying to maintain this course and philosophy. We will continue working on evolving our organization to adapt it to market changes, and with a long-term perspective in mind.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the chance to read the results of the Ubisoft XP 2024 survey. The vast majority of you participated: the response rate was over 86%, and you’ve shared your questions and concerns about the future of Ubisoft via more than 55,000 comments.
I would like to sincerely thank you for your commitment, the quality of your feedback, and your collective intelligence. It’s very impressive. We are compelled to take your critiques to heart, live up to your expectations, and be accountable to you and your needs.
I want you to know that all my energy is focused on finding the means to guide Ubisoft through these turbulent times. I am working tirelessly with my team to identify the best solutions so we can maintain control of our destiny.
This company – the incredible gem we’ve built together over the past 38 years – means everything to me. It’s a part of who I am, it’s in my core.
I’m doing everything I can to help us regain momentum, so that we can continue to make Ubisoft a key player in our industry, a creator known for its unique and exceptional video games.
In the coming days, some members of the Executive Committee will reach out to you. Cécile Russeil will share new initiatives aimed at addressing some of the questions raised by Ubisoft XP. Marie-Sophie de Waubert will present initiatives to bring back a daily focus on creation, ensuring fewer unnecessary processes and more time dedicated to what truly matters to each of us: making the best games possible. Alain Corre will provide updates on the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, progress made in strengthening our relationship with gamers, particularly regarding The Crew Motorfest and Star Wars Outlaws.
Thank you sincerely for your daily commitment and the quality of your work. The greatest strength of Ubisoft is its people. That strength is you. Thank you.
Yves”
Source: Insider Gaming
