Ubisoft has issued a statement expressing deep concern over allegations of mental and physical abuse at Brandoville Studio, an external support studio that contributed to the development of Assassin's Creed Shadows. The report, detailed in a recent People Make Games YouTube video, paints a disturbing picture of workplace conditions.
While the abuse did not occur within Ubisoft itself, the company strongly condemns such actions. The video details claims against Brandoville's commissioner, Kwan Cherry Lai (wife of the CEO), alleging severe misconduct including mental and physical abuse, forced religious practices, sleep deprivation, and even compelling an employee, Christa Sydney, to self-harm while recording it. Multiple Brandoville employees have corroborated these allegations, citing further instances of financial exploitation and the overworking of a pregnant employee, resulting in a premature birth and the subsequent death of the child.
Established in 2018 and based in Indonesia, Brandoville ceased operations in August 2024. Allegations of abuse reportedly date back to 2019, a period during which the studio collaborated on high-profile 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 reported relocation to Hong Kong complicates matters.
The pursuit of justice for Sydney and other alleged victims remains uncertain. This incident underscores a broader issue within the gaming industry—a persistent problem of poor working conditions, abuse, and harassment that demands immediate and comprehensive solutions. Protecting employees from both internal and external threats, including online harassment, requires significant improvements in industry standards and legal frameworks.
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