Union representatives at Ubisoft have publicly called for CEO and co-founder Yves Guillemot to leave his position. The demand marks a sharp escalation in internal tensions at the French publisher, which has struggled through several difficult years of restructuring and reputational damage.
The union framed Guillemot’s continued leadership as incompatible with Ubisoft’s need to stabilize and rebuild trust. After founding the company in 1986 alongside his brothers, Guillemot has steered Ubisoft for decades. But workers now argue that long tenure has become a liability.
The call comes amid widespread concerns about Ubisoft’s direction. The publisher has dealt with multiple high-profile game delays, project cancellations, and strategic pivots in recent years. Development costs have ballooned while returns have disappointed. Stock performance has reflected investor unease about the company’s trajectory.
Ubisoft’s reputation took a major hit starting in 2020 when workplace misconduct allegations surfaced across multiple studios. Investigations followed and several executives departed. The scandal damaged both employee morale and public perception. Workers have since pushed for stronger accountability at the leadership level.
French unions carry more weight in corporate disputes than in many other gaming markets. France’s labor traditions give worker collectives a visible platform to challenge executive decisions. A direct call for a CEO’s removal represents a serious reputational and governance challenge, even if unions don’t directly control board votes.
The Guillemot family maintains significant voting power in Ubisoft through their shareholdings and structure, and recently his son was appointed as co-CEO. Tencent also holds a substantial stake in the company. Any leadership transition would need board approval and would likely trigger questions about Ubisoft’s independence and future ownership structure.
Some observers expect that a CEO departure could accelerate restructuring efforts. That might include deeper cost cuts, studio closures, or asset sales. Others worry about vulnerability to acquisition if the Guillemot family’s influence weakens.
Reports suggest that labor action may accompany the union’s demand. Workers have discussed the possibility of a three-day strike, though details about timing and scope remain unclear.
