The French video game giant Ubisoft, whose largest studio is in Montreal, is cutting 98 positions in Canada, including 84 in Quebec. In an email sent to the media, Ubisoft explains that it is undertaking a “reorganization” of its activities which will affect the administrative services of its Canadian studios.

Ubisoft has studios in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Halifax, Sherbrooke, Quebec and Saguenay. The distribution of positions cut by studio has not been revealed. Ubisoft also specifies in the email that no interviews related to the announcement will be granted. A “reduction in force” was specifically announced at the studio specializing in visual effects, Hybride, based in Piedmont in the Laurentians. Six people out of 233 would be affected, La Presse learned.

These 98 positions, it is noted, represent “less than 2%” of the Canadian workforce of 5,600 employees.

“All affected Canadian employees will receive support as part of this change, including in the form of severance packages, expanded benefits where applicable, and career assistance to assist them in their transition,” we assure.

This announcement is part of a larger global operation that affects 124 positions, including the IT team. Ubisoft has some 19,000 employees across 45 studios around the world. “Over the past few months, all Ubisoft teams have explored ways to streamline our operations and improve our collective efficiency so that we are better positioned for our long-term success,” we explain by email. These decisions were not taken lightly and we provide full support to our colleagues who will be leaving Ubisoft during this transition. »

For the 2022-2023 financial year, the French studio reported last May an annual net loss of 723.4 million euros, or 1.06 billion CAN, with sales down 18.3%. Ubisoft expected a return to profits this year.