As a longtime fan and follower of the video game industry, I can’t help but feel a sense of deja vu reading about yet another studio enforcing a return-to-office mandate. It seems like just yesterday we were all huddled around our screens, eagerly awaiting the next big release while safely ensconced within the four walls of our homes.
Unions at Ubisoft Barcelona are taking legal action against the large gaming company due to changes in their remote work policies. Known for its popular Assassin’s Creed series, Ubisoft is requiring workers to come back to the office, insisting that employees spend three days each week working on-site.
Previously, our work policy enabled staff members to work from home for about 60% of each month. However, all Ubisoft employees who currently work remotely full-time will need to come back to the office as well.
According to an email obtained by GamesIndustry.biz, the unions argue that Ubisoft’s decision was made hastily and without providing sufficient information. They also point out that the sudden influx of employees returning to work could cause organizational issues, as Ubisoft’s offices may not be equipped to accommodate such a large number of workers.
As a dedicated fan, I’ve noticed Ubisoft’s stance on the return-to-office policy, which they claim is for enhanced communication and team creativity. However, unions have countered this assertion, stating that management has yet to provide concrete advantages to support this decision.
It’s not just Ubisoft Barcelona that is experiencing resistance to the back-to-work policy. For instance, Quality Assurance, who contributed to the development of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, was recently asked to return to their workplace. In response, employees staged a protest against this change. Over the past year, various studios have been grappling with similar back-to-work mandates, including Rockstar Games, Activision Blizzard, King, ZeniMax, and Roblox, among others.
The Case For Working From Home In The Video Game Industry
Contrary to what studio heads might argue, having staff members in the office doesn’t necessarily result in superior games. For instance, the highly praised 2023 release, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, was predominantly developed with team members working remotely.
Respawn Entertainment quickly adapted to the new work environment and prepared their team for success by making necessary adjustments. This initiative led them to produce one of the top titles last year. Regrettably, other studios appear reluctant to adopt similar strategies. As we distance ourselves from COVID-19 restrictions, an increasing number of companies are requiring employees to come back to the office, either part-time or full-time. Despite managers’ claims that it benefits the company, history has shown us that studios can create exceptional games without these return-to-office requirements.
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2024-11-25 23:38