Ubisoft has been going through a turbulent period after announcing a wave of major internal changes. As part of a broader restructuring, the company shut down multiple studios and canceled several in-development projects. Among the most talked-about cancellations was the long-awaited Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake, a decision that added to concerns and uncertainty across the workforce.
Around the same time, Ubisoft also confirmed a new return-to-office policy. The company’s position was that bringing employees back into physical offices would improve efficiency and help teams work more effectively. But like many return-to-office mandates across the industry, the move quickly became a flashpoint—especially for employees who believe remote work has already proven its value.
Not long after the policy became public, David Michaud-Crop, a team lead at Ubisoft Montreal, publicly criticized the return-to-office approach on his personal LinkedIn account. In his post, he challenged the assumption that requiring people to work on-site automatically boosts productivity, pointing out that teams had already demonstrated they could successfully deliver results while working remotely.
The situation escalated quickly. After the post drew attention, Michaud-Crop received disciplinary action in the form of a three-day unpaid suspension. Now, he has confirmed that Ubisoft has terminated his employment effective immediately.
In a follow-up LinkedIn update, Michaud-Crop said the firing was not his choice. He also stated that he would not share details about the internal reasons behind the decision, and that he plans to take time to regroup before discussing what comes next.
Ubisoft, for its part, responded by saying employees are allowed to share feedback and express opinions—as long as it’s done respectfully. The company also stated that criticism alone does not lead to termination. Ubisoft pointed to its internal Code of Conduct, which outlines expectations for professional behavior and is reviewed and signed by employees annually. According to the company, disciplinary action can occur when those guidelines are breached, and consequences may escalate depending on the severity of the situation, repeated behavior, and the broader context.
The episode highlights the growing tension inside major game companies as restructuring, project cancellations, and stricter workplace policies collide with employee expectations around flexibility, transparency, and the right to speak openly about decisions that affect their daily lives.
