‘What a yr, huh?’ ‘Captain, it is solely January.’ That could be very a lot The Vibe two weeks into 2026.
The headlines over the previous 16 days have been dominated by layoffs layoffs, and also you guessed it, much more layoffs.
Meta and Playtika made vital cuts this week in pursuit of effectivity, AI streamlining, and all the opposite causes you have heard one million instances over. Elsewhere, a bunch of unionized Ubisoft staff who have been made redundant originally of the month continued to combat for his or her jobs over in Halifax, Canada—submitting a labor criticism in opposition to the writer within the course of.
In different (moderately notable) information, we lastly understand how the interim aid listening to between Rockstar and the union staff it fired final yr shook out, and Bobby Kotick briefly invaded our collective consciousness by the use of a authorized submitting wherein he disputes all method of allegations associated to the sale of Activision Blizzard to Microsoft (and affords a couple of selection theories of his personal).
Sure, pricey reader, it is simply one other week within the healthful world of video video games. Let’s have at it.
through Recreation File // Bobby Kotick has issued a rare rebuttal to a lawsuit that alleges the previous Activision Blizzard boss—as soon as branded the “most hated man in video video games” by Kotaku—rushed by the sale of the Name of Responsibility writer to keep away from coping with sexual misconduct allegations. Responding to the continued lawsuit filed by Swedish pension fund AP-Fonden, Kotick and his authorized workforce steered the litigation is the brainchild of none apart from Embracer Group, which he claims used the swimsuit to “pave the way in which for Embracer to extend its foothold within the California market on the expense of Activision.” This one is a must-read.
through Bloomberg // A bunch of former Rockstar workers who declare they have been fired final yr for partaking in commerce union exercise this week failed of their try and safe interim pay. The ruling was described as “disappointing” by union representatives, whereas Rockstar welcomed the choice. The authorized battle is ready to proceed when the case heads to a full listening to later this yr.
through CBC Canada // CWA Canada has filed a labor criticism in opposition to Ubisoft in Nova Scotia over the writer’s current resolution to shutter its studio in Halifax—introduced simply weeks after staff on the studio voted to unionize. The Murderer’s Creed maker indicated the shut down was the end result on ongoing restructuring, however CWA Canada is now claiming the termination is “straight associated to the union’s current certification.”
through Recreation Developer // Sticking with Ubisoft Halifax for a second, union reps on the studio final week demanded Ubisoft current proof to help its declare that the closure was solely a monetary resolution. Additionally they referred to as on the corporate to relocate impacted workers and supply extra sturdy monetary help. But, in the course of the first assembly between the 2 events this week, Ubisoft allegedly turning as much as negotiations with “nothing to supply.”
through Recreation Developer // Arc Raiders has shifted 12 million copies in round three months. It is a hefty milestone that seems to have caught developer Embark without warning due to a bumper vacation gross sales interval.
through IGN // Seemingly desperate to proceed its scorching streak of layoffs, Ubisoft adopted the closure at Halifax by proposing cuts at two of its Swedish studios: Large Leisure and Ubisoft Stockholm. In a press release to IGN, the corporate mentioned it expects to make 55 individuals redundant throughout each areas. Later within the week, Ubisoft confirmed it quietly made cuts at Ubisoft Abu Dhabi in November 2025.
through Recreation Developer // Within the wake of current reviews that Discord has confidentially filed for an IPO, Nicole Carpenter reached out to a senior analysis analyst to higher perceive what going public might imply for the favored online game chat platform and the broader business. Tons to chew on.
through Recreation Developer // The corporate previously often called Fb closed an entire bunch of online game studios this week and laid off round 10 p.c of workers inside its VR/AR-focused Actuality Labs enterprise. The ailing division has misplaced billions upon billions lately on account of Meta attempting to brute pressure some type of metaverse into existence, and what does the corporate have to point out for it? Some Ray-Bans that may file movies.
