Gaming News
Ubisoft Proposes Voluntary Departure Plan for 100 German Staff
Developing
Cover: GenZHype original graphic. All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.
By the numbers: this timeline documents 3 events, drawn from 2 sources.
“In Germany, we initiated discussions with the Works Council last week regarding a proposed voluntary departure plan across Ubisoft Düsseldorf, Ubisoft Berlin and Ubisoft Mainz.”
via kotaku.com
Background
Ubisoft is undergoing a significant restructuring, having shuttered locations in Stockholm, Halifax, Winnipeg, and Belgrade, cancelled six titles, and reduced its global workforce as part of a broader initiative to reorganize into six 'Creative Houses.' This follows the recent closure of Ubisoft Redlynx in Finland and layoffs at Ubisoft Singapore.
The affected German studios—Düsseldorf, Berlin, and Mainz—were previously part of the Blue Byte brand, formed in 1988. They have since been reorganized into different groups under Ubisoft's new structure, with Düsseldorf and Berlin in the 'Creative Network' and Mainz in 'Creative House 4.' These studios were also impacted by 185 job cuts in 2025.
The timeline
-
Ubisoft initiates voluntary departure discussions in Germany
According to a Ubisoft representative, the company initiated discussions with the Works Council the previous week regarding a proposed voluntary departure plan across Ubisoft Düsseldorf, Ubisoft Berlin, and Ubisoft Mainz. The goal is to encourage around 100 of the approximately 600 employees in these studios to resign in exchange for a buyout.[1]
Screenshot of kotaku.com, captured Oct 15, 2026. Source [1] -
Ubisoft zone managing director explains rationale for cuts
Benedikt Grindel, Ubisoft zone managing director, reportedly wrote in a follow-up email after a town hall that the cuts aim to 'best position our German studios for the future… with a clearer focus on their role, capabilities, and organisational setup needed for the work ahead.'[2]
Screenshot of gamesindustry.biz, captured Oct 15, 2026. Source [2] -
Payout formula details emerge from sources
Sources told Game File that a payout formula discussed between Ubisoft and the Works Council could reportedly pay a worker's monthly salary multiplied by 1.5 and by the number of years they've worked at the company. The formula is reportedly still subject to negotiations and has not yet been part of an official offer to workers.[2]
Our read of the evidence
Mostly unverified. All publicly available information about the voluntary departure plan comes from media reports, with no primary source confirmation yet. The reports, originating from kotaku.com and gamesindustry.biz, include Ubisoft’s initiation of talks, a zone managing director’s explanation of the rationale, and emerging payout‑formula details, while the works council’s position has not been quoted on record. Ubisoft states that negotiations with the works council over the payout formula and final terms are still ongoing.
Our rating counts evidence, not opinions about anyone: events confirmed by a primary source (the person's own post, their official site, a court or government record) weigh most, then how many independent outlets report the story.
What happens next
Negotiations with the Works Council regarding the payout formula and final terms of the voluntary departure plan are ongoing, according to Ubisoft.
Frequently asked
Is the voluntary departure plan finalized?
No, no final agreement has been reached. According to a Ubisoft representative, the terms remain subject to negotiation with employee representatives.
How many German employees are affected?
Approximately 100 employees across the Düsseldorf, Berlin, and Mainz studios are expected to be affected. According to Game File, more than half of the reductions are expected to happen at Düsseldorf.
What is the buyout formula?
According to sources, the formula multiplies a worker's monthly salary by 1.5 and then by the number of years they have worked at the company. This formula is still under negotiation.
Why is Ubisoft cutting German staff?
Ubisoft states the cuts aim to 'best position our German studios for the future.' This is part of a broader cost-reduction initiative and restructuring into Creative Houses.
More related drama (4)
Sources (2)
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 3 dated events from 2 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “Ubisoft Proposes Voluntary Departure Plan for 100 German Staff.”
GenZHype, 15 October 2026,
https://genzhype.com/gaming/ubisoft-proposes-voluntary-departure-plan-for-100-german-staff/.