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Former Ubisoft Employee Refutes Claims That DEI Initiatives Caused Stock Price Decline
A former Ubisoft game designer has strongly rejected circulating claims that the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives contributed to its recent stock market troubles. Kensuke Shimoda, who previously worked at Ubisoft Osaka, took to social media to address what he described as “misinformation” regarding the causes behind the gaming giant’s financial woes.
“I’m stunned that there are still people spreading misinformation like ‘DEI is the reason why Ubisoft’s stock price fell,'” Shimoda stated. “As a former employee, I would like to make clear that internal DEI advocates didn’t have much influence.”
Ubisoft’s shares plummeted dramatically last week following the company’s announcement of a “major reset” that included cancelling six games and delaying seven others. This restructuring decision sent immediate shockwaves through the market, prompting speculation about underlying causes.
Contrary to narratives blaming diversity initiatives, Shimoda insisted that “DEI only improved things,” citing benefits such as “better workplace environment” and expanded market reach into South America and the Middle East. His comments directly challenge a growing narrative in some gaming circles that connects progressive workplace policies with business underperformance.
Shimoda instead attributed Ubisoft’s challenges to what he termed “Big Business Syndrome,” a condition he believes can afflict any large corporation. He specifically highlighted structural issues within the company, including limited upward mobility and a shortage of leadership with experience in mobile, online, and free-to-play gaming markets—areas that have become increasingly important in the evolving gaming landscape.
“Not much upward progression means there obviously aren’t enough people with online/mobile/F2P experience in senior leadership positions,” Shimoda explained, pointing to a potential disconnect between company leadership and emerging market trends.
The former developer also identified unique management challenges stemming from Ubisoft’s expansion beyond its French-speaking origins. “We’re talking about a company that’s first language is French, that went global, and built offices outside of the French-speaking world,” he noted, suggesting this global growth created communication and management complications specific to “non-English speaking global companies.”
Shimoda warned that if Ubisoft attempts to deflect blame toward DEI initiatives rather than addressing these fundamental business and structural issues, the consequences could be dire: “If Ubisoft ignores all of the issues outlined above, and uses DEI advocates as scapegoats, then I expect this time it’d be over for them.”
This isn’t the first time Shimoda has defended the company’s approach to diversity initiatives. Last May, he pushed back against characterizations of Ubisoft as a developer that was overly focused on DEI, stating plainly that “this isn’t true.”
The discussion comes at a critical juncture for Ubisoft, which has faced a tumultuous period including the high-profile cancellation of the Prince of Persia remake after six years of development, multiple delays, and a complete reboot. The project’s termination prompted developers to acknowledge fans’ disappointment directly.
Industry analysts note that Ubisoft’s challenges mirror broader tensions in the gaming industry, where companies struggle to balance creative innovation, market demands, workplace culture improvements, and shareholder expectations. The debate around DEI initiatives in gaming has intensified in recent years, often becoming entangled with discussions about representation in games themselves—particularly those featuring diverse protagonists or LGBTQ+ characters.
As Ubisoft navigates its restructuring efforts, Shimoda’s insider perspective offers a counterpoint to simplified narratives about the company’s challenges, suggesting that the path forward requires addressing complex business fundamentals rather than retreating from workplace improvements.
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10 Comments
I appreciate the former employee speaking up to provide a more balanced perspective. It’s easy to point fingers at diversity programs, but the reality is usually more complex. Ubisoft’s challenges likely stem from a combination of factors, not just their inclusion efforts.
The former Ubisoft employee’s defense of the company’s DEI efforts is a valuable contribution to the discussion. Simplistic explanations that scapegoat diversity programs often miss the mark. It’s important to examine the full scope of factors influencing a business’s performance.
The former employee’s comments provide helpful context. Diversity and inclusion initiatives aren’t automatically to blame for a company’s financial troubles. It’s important to examine the full scope of factors contributing to Ubisoft’s recent challenges.
The former employee’s defense of Ubisoft’s DEI initiatives is notable. It’s easy to point fingers, but the reality is usually more complex. Responsible companies should strive for inclusive practices that benefit both their workforce and their bottom line.
I appreciate the former employee speaking up to provide some context. Diversity and inclusion efforts shouldn’t be scapegoated without a clear understanding of the full picture. It will be interesting to see how Ubisoft’s strategic reset plays out and what other factors contributed to their recent challenges.
The former employee’s defense of Ubisoft’s DEI initiatives is a valuable counterpoint to the speculation around their financial troubles. Responsible companies should strive for inclusive practices, but they are not a silver bullet. Many complex factors influence a business’s performance.
The former employee’s comments are a helpful reminder to look beyond surface-level narratives. Diversity and inclusion initiatives aren’t automatically to blame when a company faces financial difficulties. Responsible companies should view DEI as a strategic asset, not a liability.
This is a complex issue that deserves nuanced discussion. While it’s tempting to oversimplify, the former Ubisoft employee’s perspective highlights the need to look beyond surface-level narratives. Ultimately, a company’s success depends on many interrelated factors, not just diversity programs.
I appreciate the former Ubisoft employee speaking up to clarify the role of DEI efforts. It’s easy for misinformation to spread, so having insider perspectives can help provide a more balanced understanding of the situation. Diversity should be viewed as an asset, not a liability.
Interesting perspective from the former Ubisoft employee. It’s important to separate facts from speculation when it comes to the reasons behind a company’s financial performance. Diversity and inclusion initiatives can bring tangible benefits if implemented well, but they’re not always the root cause of stock price movements.