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 external support studio that contributed to the development of Assassin's Creed Shadows. The YouTube channel People Make Games published a video detailing these disturbing claims, which include accusations of severe workplace abuse perpetrated by Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner and wife of Brandoville's CEO.
The report alleges a pattern of abusive behavior, including mental and physical abuse, forced religious practices, sleep deprivation, and coercion of self-harm against employee Christa Sydney. Further allegations from other Brandoville employees describe salary withholding, excessive overwork of a pregnant employee (resulting in premature birth and the subsequent death of the child), and other instances of mistreatment.
Brandoville Studio, founded in 2018 and based in Indonesia, ceased operations in August 2024. Reports of abuse reportedly 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 currently investigating these claims and seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, although her current location in Hong Kong may complicate the process.
This incident underscores the ongoing issue of abuse within the video game industry. Numerous reports of harassment, abuse, and poor working conditions continue to surface, highlighting the urgent need for stronger employee protections and accountability mechanisms. The situation at Brandoville serves as a stark reminder of the systemic problems that require immediate attention and comprehensive reform to ensure a safer and more ethical work environment for all game developers. The long-term consequences for victims like Christa Sydney and the need for justice remain uncertain.
