Mon, Nov 29, 2010 | 17:50 GMT
Report – Ubisoft Reflections set to be reorganised, layoffs possible
According to a Develop report, at least 19 people may be laid off or not have contracts renewed at Ubisoft Reflections.
The Newcastle-based developer, who are currently working on Driver: San Francisco, is set to be reorganised, with senior staff who have been at the studio for more then a decade also part of the 19 that could be laid off.
Ubisoft’s since confirmed a reorganisation at the studio.
“There was a meeting to propose reorganisations to the team that may result in redundancies of up to a dozen studio members,” a rep told the site.
“This is a proposal for reorganisation, and it isn’t the people who are made redundant, but the jobs themselves. The people get to have their say about the reorganisation.
“Overall, this may result in redundancies effecting up to a dozen studio team members. When we are in a heavy production time, as we are with Driver, there are a lot of contract workers, and I do believe about seven workers will not have their contracts renewed.”
Develop also reports some staff from Ubisoft Montreal have been brought in to help the studio with Driver: San Francisco, which was recently delayed into FY2012.
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Posted in: Action, Ubisoft
Tags: Driver: San Francisco, Ubisoft Reflections
7 comments
#1
EscoBlades
29/11/10, 5:52 pm
I know a few people who work there. Sad news indeed, as they are a great bunch of girls and guys. All the best to those affected.
#2
Johnny Cullen
29/11/10, 5:55 pm
Yeah, they seemed like a tight group when I was there for Driver in June.
I hope for the best there, and hope it comes out with as little damage as possible.
#3
Razor
29/11/10, 6:10 pm
Sorry to break the love-in here, but Driv3r and Driver:PL were pretty bad, so it’s about time there was some sorting out.
Driver:SF doesn’t look too hot at the moment either – notwithstanding it’s early code of course – but it’s a studio with a lot of work to do to get back to the Driver of old.
#4
loki
29/11/10, 6:19 pm
i hope it is pC ports makers
#5
EscoBlades
29/11/10, 6:20 pm
@Razor: Our comments above weren’t to do with the games, and more to do with the people that worked there.
For instance, i know a few peeps at Codies. Sure, they seem to have a real QA problems with most of their releases being glitch ridden affairs, but if they were to close tomorrow, i wouldn’t be focusing on their “apparent failings” as a developer, and more on the fact that some people lost their jobs.
You may be a souless, heartless realist 100% of the time, but i ocassionally have sympathy for others. Try it sometime.
#6
scuz
29/11/10, 8:05 pm
One of my buddies just got a job there
Properly talented fellow too, hope it works out.
#7
No_PUDding
30/11/10, 12:08 am
@EscoBlades “Soulless, heartless realist”? Calm down. If you are intelligent enough to manage sympathy for this team, perhaps you can manage empathy for the people who’s only evidence of Ubi Reflections existance, are illegitimate, abortions from the womb of a once-great franchise.
No offence to love-children, or abortionees.