"It's his company, at the end of the day": Union blames Ubisoft CEO for crisis, calls for resignation

After a series of studio closures, canceled projects, and internal tensions over the return to office, the situation at Ubisoft appears increasingly fragile. Now, representatives of the French trade union Solidaires Informatique are openly calling for the resignation of CEO Yves Guillemot. The demand follows interviews with Game Developer that were also covered by Insider Gaming.

Union representatives Marc Rutschlé and Chakib Mataoui place the blame squarely on Yves Guillemot. As CEO, he holds ultimate responsibility for the company’s current state. “It’s his company, at the end of the day,” Rutschlé says. However, trust has eroded to such an extent that hopes for a constructive resolution appear slim. “I expect nothing from this guy,” the union representative adds. Alongside Guillemot’s resignation, the union is also demanding a complete overhaul of the management board.

Accusations: nepotism, lack of diversity, lack of ideas

The recent appointment of Yves Guillemot’s son, Charlie, as co-CEO of a new Ubisoft subsidiary has also drawn sharp criticism. The union accuses the company of nepotism and of fostering an insular leadership culture. Mataoui also points to a lack of diversity at the top, noting that executive roles are largely filled by white men from the CEO’s inner circle. This, he argues, stifles innovation: “We work in a creative industry. We need new ideas to come in and help us make great new games. But we don’t have that.”

An uncertain future for Ubisoft

In response to recent developments, an international strike is scheduled for February 10–12, 2026. The action is being organized by Solidaires Informatique alongside other French trade unions. Rutschlé is urging employees worldwide to unite, arguing that if management operates on a global scale, workers should do the same. Whether Yves Guillemot will address the union’s demands – and how – remains uncertain.