Ex-Ubisoft execs convicted in harassment case, fined $100K

Three former Ubisoft executives accused of sexual misconduct, racial discrimination, and workplace intimidation have received suspended prison terms and financial penalties.

Former chief creative officer Serge Hascoët — once second-in-command to CEO Yves Guillemot — alongside former editorial director Thomas François and ex-game designer Guillame Patrux all departed in 2020 amid multiple allegations that resulted in their dismissals and resignations.

Court records revealed disturbing incidents, including Hascoët making racist remarks to a Muslim employee following the 2015 Paris attacks, with continued racial harassment occurring under his supervision. Multiple female employees also reported inappropriate and explicit conduct by the executives.

As Ubisoft's former deputy, Hascoët allegedly enabled a hostile work culture that empowered François to act without consequences, according to Libération. Reports described humiliating treatment of staff, including making an assistant travel extensively on their day off to retrieve an iPad.

François faced accusations of watching pornography at work, inappropriate physical contact with colleagues, and sexual comments. The most serious claim involved alleged sexual assault at a company holiday party where he reportedly forced himself on a junior employee. Other reported incidents included restraining a coworker to a chair and coercing a subordinate to trim his toenails.

Patrux was charged with threats and aggressive behavior toward colleagues.

The court imposed an 18-month suspended sentence and €45,000 fine on Hascoët for enabling psychological harassment. François received a three-year suspended term with a €30,000 penalty for attempted sexual assault. Patrux was given a 12-month suspended sentence and €10,000 fine.

Ubisoft declined to comment when reached by IGN.