Ubisoft has terminated David Michaud-Cromp, a level design team lead at Ubisoft Montreal, just days after suspending him for publicly criticizing the company’s new return-to-office mandate. The firing marks another controversial employment decision at the studio giant amid broader labor tensions.
The Timeline of Events
Michaud-Cromp, a veteran developer with over a decade at Ubisoft Montreal who contributed to major projects including the Assassin’s Creed franchise, took to LinkedIn to voice his opposition to Ubisoft’s newly announced five-day-per-week office requirement. In his post, he questioned the company’s stated reasoning, writing: “So… Ubisoft wanna bring back 5 days in the office… because they ‘believe in collaboration’… but c’mon, we’re not completely stupid… we very well know why you want to go back to 5 days in the office…”
The company responded swiftly, imposing a three-day unpaid suspension and citing a breach of its duty of loyalty. Approximately one week later, Michaud-Cromp announced his termination on LinkedIn, stating: “Today, I was terminated by Ubisoft, effective immediately. This was not my decision. I won’t be discussing internal details or circumstances.”
Ubisoft’s Defense
When questioned about the dismissal, Ubisoft defended its action, telling media outlets: “Sharing feedback or opinions respectfully does not lead to a dismissal. We have a clear Code of Conduct that outlines our shared expectations for working together safely and respectfully, which employees review and sign each year. When that is breached, our established procedures apply, including an escalation of measures depending on the nature, severity, and repetition of the breach.”
The company’s statement suggests the termination stemmed from violations beyond the criticism itself, though specific details remain undisclosed.
Broader Context
The firing occurs amid significant turmoil at Ubisoft. The company recently announced a major corporate restructuring backed by Tencent, which included game cancellations and layoffs, including the long-anticipated Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake. The restructuring also mandated the return-to-office policy that triggered Michaud-Cromp’s criticism.
Recent developments compound these challenges: Ubisoft Halifax unionized before the studio’s closure, and union representatives representing other Ubisoft workers have called for strikes, alleging the company is engaging in “penny-pinching and worsening our working conditions.” These labor disputes paint a picture of escalating tensions between Ubisoft management and its workforce during a period of significant organizational change.