Ubisoft Responds to Disturbing Allegations of Abuse at External Studio
Ubisoft has issued a statement expressing deep concern regarding a recent video report detailing alleged mental and physical abuse at Brandoville Studio, an external support studio that contributed to the development of Assassin's Creed Shadows. While the abuse occurred outside of Ubisoft's direct operations, the company strongly condemns such actions.
The report, published by the YouTube channel People Make Games, alleges a pattern of toxic behavior and abuse perpetrated by Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner of the Brandoville development team and wife of the CEO. Allegations include severe mental and physical abuse, forced religious practices, sleep deprivation, and coercion of an employee, Christa Sydney, into self-harm while being filmed. Multiple Brandoville employees have corroborated these claims, citing additional instances of financial exploitation and the overworking of a pregnant employee, resulting in a premature birth and the subsequent death of the child.
Brandoville Studio, founded in 2018 and based in Indonesia, ceased operations in August 2024. Reports of abuse allegedly date back to 2019, during which time the studio worked on projects including 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.
This incident underscores the ongoing problem of abuse and harassment within the video game industry. Numerous reports of poor working conditions, harassment, and even death threats highlight the urgent need for stronger employee protections and a more robust system of accountability. The outcome of the investigation into Brandoville's alleged abuses remains uncertain, leaving the question of justice for victims unanswered.
