Ubisoft’s Massive offers voluntary buyouts as RedLynx restructures, raising questions for Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar

Ubisoft is initiating another round of cost-cutting and team realignment. Massive Entertainment (the studio behind The Division) is offering a voluntary buyout program as it “realigns” and focuses on The Division franchise, the Snowdrop engine and Ubisoft Connect. Separately, Helsinki-based RedLynx announced a proposed restructuring that could affect up to 60 roles.

What’s changing at Massive

• Voluntary buyouts: Framed as a “voluntary career transition program” with financial and career assistance for eligible staff.
• Where/when: Massive’s Malmö, Sweden team can volunteer through December 13, primarily targeting employees between projects awaiting new assignments.
• Focus areas: The Division series, core tech (Snowdrop) and services (Ubisoft Connect) were highlighted. Notably, Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora were not mentioned in Massive’s roadmap note.

RedLynx restructuring

• Proposal: As part of Ubisoft’s wider effort to simplify operations and reduce costs, RedLynx said the plan could result in up to 60 layoffs.

Context: a tougher year and shifting priorities

• Performance pressures: After underperformance of key titles like Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Ubisoft has closed or downsized offices in San Francisco, London and Leamington.
• Headcount trend: Company headcount fell from 20,279 to 18,666 by the end of September last year.
• Franchise consolidation: Ubisoft partnered with Tencent to launch Vantage Studios, now stewarding tentpole series including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry and Rainbow Six.

What it could mean

• For players: Expect continued emphasis on The Division and core tech/services. The omission of Star Wars and Avatar from Massive’s stated focus raises questions about future support and content cadence.
• For developers: Role changes and buyouts may lead to talent reshuffling across studios and projects.

References:
Ubisoft Newsroom ·
Massive Entertainment ·
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Discussion: Should Ubisoft double down on The Division and core tech, or continue investing in Star Wars and Avatar despite recent results?