Ubisoft Implements Pay Raises At Canadian Studios In Bid To Retain Key Talent

Ubisoft, which has been under fire for over a year now due to claims of a toxic workplace and harassment at many of its worldwide studios, has taken a significant step to placate disgruntled workers. In doing so, however, the Far Cry and Assassin's Creed developer might have only created further discord among its staff members.

Kotaku is reporting that the company has implemented pay raises across the board at its Canadian studios, "to combat an exodus by many of its most senior developers." The studios, based in Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Chicoutimi, Halifax, and Winnipeg, are responsible for the development of Ubisoft's biggest titles. The raises amount to 5% to 7% for junior staff, while those in more senior positions will receive up to a 20% increase. Employees will also receive more vacation days and better pay during parental leave.

While appearing to be a generous gesture on the surface, the difference in pay rate has struck many, including the voices behind the A Better Ubisoft initiative, as less than satisfactory. "By weighting the pay rises enormously in favor of senior staff, management are exacerbating the gap between the highly and low paid workers," a spokesperson for the group said, saying that the move does "absolutely nothing" to address their grievances, which were re-iterated late last week:

#ABetterUbisoft #EndAbuseInGaming pic.twitter.com/KtcPHAWq57

— ABetterUbisoft (@ABetterUbisoft) November 5, 2021

Ubisoft billed the changes as being prompted by the increased cost of living in Canada. It was the first time the company had made such a mid-year adjustment, which further lends credence to the notion that it's "desperately trying to hold on to what few experienced devs are still here," as one dev in a Canadian studio put it.