Ubisoft has confirmed a round of layoffs at Red Storm Entertainment, the studio behind several classic and recent Tom Clancy titles. While this latest move isn’t as massive as some other cuts we’ve seen this year, it’s still another tough moment in a rough year for the gaming industry.
According to a report from IGN, 19 employees at Red Storm were let go. Ubisoft explained that this was a cost-cutting measure tied to a “targeted restructuring effort.” The studio itself is staying open, which is a relief, but losing even a small number of developers—especially from a studio with nearly three decades of history—is never easy news.
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A Studio with Deep Tom Clancy Roots
Red Storm Entertainment was co-founded in 1996 with help from Tom Clancy himself. Over the years, they’ve played a huge role in shaping tactical shooters and military-style games. Most recently, the studio had been working in a support role for other Ubisoft projects. Their last major project, The Division: Heartland, was unfortunately canceled in 2024.
Even though Red Storm has taken more of a behind-the-scenes role in recent years, it’s still disappointing to see a studio with such deep roots in the Tom Clancy legacy being hit like this.
Ubisoft’s Rocky 2025 So Far
Ubisoft has largely avoided sweeping layoffs this year—at least compared to some of the industry giants like Microsoft—but it’s still had its share of controversies. One of the biggest was the decision to delist older games like The Crew, which helped spark the Stop Killing Games movement. That fan-led campaign just passed 1 million signatures, calling for stronger legal protections against game delistings in the EU.
Earlier this year, Ubisoft also shut down its Leamington studio in the UK, so Red Storm’s situation is just the latest in a string of tough choices for the publisher.
A Bigger Problem Across the Industry?
Let’s be real—Ubisoft’s not the only one making cuts. Layoffs are hitting nearly every corner of the gaming world in 2025. Microsoft, EA, Embracer, and many more have downsized this year, citing everything from restructuring to shifts in consumer behavior.
One interesting trend? Reports suggest that young Americans are spending less on games. While we can’t say for sure that this is directly causing all the layoffs, it’s hard not to connect the dots. With publishers looking to tighten budgets and focus on what really works, studios that aren’t seen as essential or directly revenue-generating are often the first on the chopping block.
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What’s Next?
For Tom Clancy fans, the silver lining is that key franchises like Rainbow Six Siege are handled by Ubisoft Montreal, so major titles aren’t likely going anywhere. Still, it’s a bummer to see veteran studios like Red Storm losing team members—especially when they’ve contributed so much to Ubisoft’s legacy.
Only time will tell if all this restructuring actually helps meet the “modern gamer’s needs” like publishers claim. But for now, it’s clear that the industry is still in a major state of flux—and unfortunately, developers are the ones paying the price.
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