# The Future of Ubisoft Looks Bleak Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFIxHC4eeZQ Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/gFIxHC4eeZQ Generated: 2026-01-24T00:03:52.534+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The future of Ubisoft appears bleak due to significant corporate restructuring announced in April, which includes the cancellation of the Prince of Persia remake and other titles, layoffs, and a perceived move away from creative risks toward prioritizing existing billion-dollar brands, leading to employee uncertainty and a loss of faith in the company's direction. **Key Points:** - Ubisoft announced significant restructuring starting in April, including layoffs and the cancellation of the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, which was reportedly being developed by an internal studio in Mumbai. - The restructuring involves splitting Ubisoft into five 'Creative Houses' responsible for scaling and extending established billion-dollar franchises like Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six (Creative House 1). - Creative House 2 focuses on competitive/cooperative shooter experiences (Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell, The Division), while Creative House 3 handles Live Experiences (For Honor, Skull & Bones, The Crew). - Creative House 4 focuses on immersive fantasy/narrative worlds (Anno, Beyond Good & Evil, Might & Magic, Prince of Persia, Rayman), and Creative House 5 focuses on casual/family-friendly games (Hasbro portfolio, Just Dance, UNO). - The layoffs and restructuring are perceived as a corporate move to play it safe, focusing on established IPs rather than new ideas, which is seen as a major issue by the speakers. - The cancellation of the Prince of Persia remake, which had already seen delays and development moves between Montreal and Mumbai studios, exemplifies this risk-averse strategy. - The speakers suggest Ubisoft is potentially over-leveraged on live service models and is failing to support new, exciting ideas, leading to a difficult environment for employees. ![Screenshot at 00:53: The graphic displaying Ubisoft's new structure, detailing 'Five Creative Houses' with characters representing major franchises like Assassin's Creed, Rayman, and Prince of Persia, illustrating the company's new focus on established IPs.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/gFIxHC4eeZQ/00-00-53.jpg) **Context:** The video features hosts Lucy James and Tamoor Hussain discussing recent corporate changes and restructuring announcements at Ubisoft, which were revealed in April. The discussion centers on the implications of these changes, specifically layoffs, the cancellation of the Prince of Persia remake, and the new organizational structure dividing the company into five 'Creative Houses' focused on different aspects of their existing portfolio, which the hosts view critically. ## Detailed Analysis The discussion immediately addresses the bleak future of Ubisoft following April announcements concerning major restructuring, including layoffs and game cancellations. Lucy James reports that the highly anticipated Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, which was being made by a Mumbai studio, has been canceled, moving development back to Montreal/Toronto, which the speakers interpret as a negative sign, especially after previous delays. The core of the restructuring involves creating five distinct 'Creative Houses.' Creative House 1 focuses on scaling and extending Ubisoft's largest franchises (Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six) to become annual billion-dollar brands. Creative House 2 handles competitive/cooperative shooters (Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell, The Division). Creative House 3 manages Live Experiences (For Honor, Skull & Bones, The Crew). Creative House 4 is dedicated to immersive fantasy worlds (Anno, Beyond Good & Evil, Might & Magic, Rayman, Prince of Persia). Creative House 5 focuses on casual/family-friendly games (Hasbro portfolio, Just Dance, UNO). Tamoor Hussain notes that this structure feels like a way to ring-fence the most profitable IPs, suggesting a corporate move to play it safe rather than investing in new ideas, which he sees as a major issue. He argues that Ubisoft has been behaving like this for years, clinging to established IPs like Assassin's Creed, while neglecting newer concepts, citing the cancellation of the Prince of Persia remake as a prime example of this risk-averse culture. The speakers conclude that this restructuring, which involves layoffs and a focus on maintaining existing revenue streams, signals a difficult period for the company and its employees. ### Ubisoft Restructuring - Announcement of five Creative Houses - Restructuring began in April - Layoffs and game cancellations confirmed ### Creative House 1 Focus - Scaling and extending established franchises into annual billion-dollar brands - Includes Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six ### Creative House 4 Focus - Dedicated to immersive fantasy worlds and narrative-driven universes - Includes Anno, Beyond Good & Evil, Prince of Persia, Rayman ### Key Issue Identified - Ubisoft is playing it safe by focusing on existing IPs rather than new ideas - Speaker cites the cancellation of the Prince of Persia remake as evidence ### Impact on Employees - Restructuring puts employees in a rough spot regarding job security and mandates a return to office, which many are unwilling to do - This corporate approach is seen as failing to support exciting new game concepts ![Screenshot at 00:08: The 'Spot On' title card appears as the hosts, Lucy James and Tamoor Hussain, introduce the segment about Ubisoft changes.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/gFIxHC4eeZQ/00-00-08.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:53: A graphic slide showing Ubisoft's new structure divided into 'Five Creative Houses,' listing major franchises under each grouping.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/gFIxHC4eeZQ/00-00-53.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:25: Gameplay footage from the canceled Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, showing an environment with Persian architecture and sand effects.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/gFIxHC4eeZQ/00-03-25.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:44: Gameplay footage from Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege \(labeled as 'Not actual gameplay footage' for some titles\), illustrating the competitive shooter genre mentioned in Creative House 2.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/gFIxHC4eeZQ/00-03-44.jpg) ![Screenshot at 08:12: Gameplay footage from Beyond Good & Evil 2, illustrating the type of new IP the speakers feel Ubisoft is neglecting in favor of established franchises.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/gFIxHC4eeZQ/00-08-12.jpg)