Ubisoft Rocked By Assassin's Creed Team Misconduct Claims

Ubisoft Responds to Allegations of Abuse at External Studio

Ubisoft has issued a statement expressing deep concern regarding allegations of mental and physical abuse at Brandoville Studio, an Indonesian outsourcing partner that contributed to Assassin's Creed Shadows. The YouTube channel People Make Games detailed these disturbing claims in a recent report.

While the abuse did not occur within Ubisoft itself, the company strongly condemns such actions and emphasizes its commitment to a safe and respectful workplace. The report alleges a pattern of abusive behavior by Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner and wife of Brandoville's CEO, including instances of mental and physical abuse, forced religious practices, sleep deprivation, and coercion of self-harm.

Further allegations have emerged from other Brandoville employees, detailing financial exploitation and the overworking of a pregnant employee, resulting in premature birth and the subsequent death of the child. These claims underscore a wider issue of workplace abuse within the gaming industry, highlighting the urgent need for stronger employee protections.

Brandoville Studio, founded in 2018, ceased operations in August 2024. Reports of abuse date back to 2019, during which time the studio worked on projects such as Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Indonesian authorities are investigating these allegations and reportedly seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, although her current location in Hong Kong complicates the process.

The pursuit of justice for the alleged victims remains uncertain. This incident, along with numerous other reports of poor working conditions, abuse, and harassment across the gaming industry, underscores the critical need for improved safeguards and accountability to protect workers from both internal and external threats. The prevalence of such reports necessitates a significant shift in industry culture and practices to prioritize employee well-being and safety.