Ubisoft has ended all game development at Red Storm Entertainment, the studio renowned for its work on the Tom Clancy series. While the studio remains open, 105 employees are being laid off, according to GamesIndustry.biz. The remaining team will now focus exclusively on supporting the Snowdrop engine, which powers major Ubisoft titles like Star Wars Outlaws and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
Red Storm has been a cornerstone of tactical shooters since its founding in 1996 by author Tom Clancy. Over nearly 30 years, the studio delivered key entries in the Ghost Recon and Rainbow Six franchises. More recently, it developed Assassin’s Creed Nexus VR in 2023, which was well received by VR enthusiasts.
Why this matters for players
This decision marks the end of new Tom Clancy games from Red Storm, a studio deeply rooted in tactical shooters. The layoffs and shift to engine support mean players shouldn’t expect fresh content or new titles from the team that helped define the genre. The cancellation of Splinter Cell VR and The Division Heartland already hinted at trouble, but this move confirms Red Storm’s exit from game development.
For Ubisoft fans, this is part of a broader cost-cutting reorganization that has led to job losses and game cancellations across the publisher’s lineup. If you’re hoping for more classic Tom Clancy experiences, you’ll need to look elsewhere-at least for now.
What’s next for Red Storm?
The studio isn’t shutting down but is shifting to a strictly technical role. Remaining staff will maintain and improve the Snowdrop engine, the technology behind many of Ubisoft’s biggest releases. While this keeps the studio operational, it marks a clear move away from creative development toward backend support.
Speculation: With Red Storm stepping back from development, Ubisoft may be consolidating creative resources elsewhere, focusing on fewer, larger projects. This could mean longer waits between major releases but potentially higher production values for flagship titles.
The bottom line
- No new games from Red Storm-only engine support work moving forward.
- Ubisoft’s cost-cutting continues, with more layoffs and canceled projects likely ahead.
- Fans of Tom Clancy shooters will need to turn to other studios for future tactical action.