Ubisoft Leamington Officially Closes Its Doors After 23 Years of Game Development Legacy
Ubisoft Leamington Spa, one of the most storied game development studios in the UK, has officially shut down after over two decades of operation. The closure comes after Ubisoft confirmed in January that the studio would be winding down its operations. The news was shared via a heartfelt post on the studio’s official LinkedIn page, marking the final day for the Ubisoft Leamington team.
“After many incredible years, we want to share the news that Ubisoft Leamington has officially closed its doors. We are beyond grateful to our talented team, whose creativity, passion and dedication have left a lasting mark on the games we've created, the memories we've shared and the community we've built in Leamington.”
A Legacy That Began With FreeStyleGames
Founded in 2002 under the name FreeStyleGames, the Leamington-based studio was among the first of its kind in the region and remained a cornerstone of the local game development scene for more than 20 years. The studio gained early acclaim for rhythm-based titles including DJ Hero and DJ Hero 2, which were developed following its acquisition by Activision in 2008. The team also led development on Guitar Hero Live, another notable title in the rhythm genre.
In 2017, Ubisoft acquired the studio and rebranded it as Ubisoft Leamington. Since then, the team shifted to a support role within the broader Ubisoft production ecosystem, contributing to major franchises including Tom Clancy's, Far Cry, and most recently, Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
A Quiet Farewell to a Historic Team
As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, the final chapter for the studio includes a merging of its digital presence with Ubisoft Reflections, another UK-based Ubisoft studio. While the physical office has officially closed, some team members will reportedly continue to work remotely for Ubisoft and remain active in the local Leamington development scene.
Despite its legacy and contributions to some of Ubisoft’s most successful IPs, the closure results in the loss of approximately 100 jobs. According to reports, the team was working on an unannounced original IP, which would have marked a significant milestone—being the first full project led by the Leamington studio under Ubisoft. Unfortunately, this project will not see completion.
The closure is part of Ubisoft’s broader restructuring strategy, which has led to multiple studio closures and layoffs in recent years, a reflection of shifting priorities and financial recalibrations across the global games industry.
What are your memories of Ubisoft Leamington (or FreeStyleGames)? Did you play DJ Hero or work on any Ubisoft titles with them? Share your thoughts and tributes below.
