Ubisoft Assassin’s Creed Developer Let Go Shortly After Voicing Concerns Over Remote Work Policy Changes
David Michaud-Cromp, the lead at Ubisoft Montreal, has been let go just days after facing disciplinary action for voicing his concerns about the company’s mandate for all employees to return to the office full-time.
Recently, Ubisoft announced a significant corporate restructuring as part of a Tencent-backed financial rescue, which resulted in several game cancellations, including the long-awaited remake of *Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time*, along with additional layoffs. A key aspect of this plan was the requirement for all staff to work from their local offices five days a week. Many developers at Ubisoft expressed their dissatisfaction with this decision, including Michaud-Cromp, who publicly shared his thoughts on LinkedIn. Shortly after, he revealed that he had received a three-day unpaid suspension for his comments. Now, he has confirmed his termination from the company.
“Today, I was terminated by Ubisoft, effective immediately,” Michaud-Cromp announced on LinkedIn. “This was not my decision. I won’t be discussing internal details or circumstances. I’m taking time to regroup and will share next steps when appropriate.”
In response to inquiries about his dismissal, a Ubisoft spokesperson stated that respectful feedback or opinions do not lead to termination. They emphasized the company’s Code of Conduct, which outlines expectations for a safe and respectful work environment. Breaches of this code lead to established procedures, including escalating measures based on the severity and frequency of the violation.
Michaud-Cromp also shared his perspective on the benefits of remote work for game development, highlighting how it can foster inclusivity among quieter team members, keep decisions organized, and facilitate knowledge sharing over time. He acknowledged that remote work isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, noting that certain activities like brainstorming, onboarding, and mentoring can be more effective in person.
“In my experience,” he stated, “the effectiveness of remote or hybrid teams is less about physical proximity and more about fundamentals like clarity of goals, trust, documentation, tooling, and communication practices. Teams that focus on these areas tend to thrive, regardless of their location, while those that struggle with them often face challenges even when working side by side.”
Michaud-Cromp concluded by emphasizing that the most productive environments, whether remote or in-person, are those with clear expectations, intentional collaboration, and thoughtfully implemented policies, which are especially crucial in creative fields like game development where trust and long-term collaboration are vital.
