Assassin's Creed Shadows Studio Abuse Allegations Shock Ubisoft

Ubisoft Responds to Abuse Allegations 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 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 occurred outside of Ubisoft's direct operations, the incident underscores the ongoing problem of abuse within the video game industry.

The video alleges that Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner and wife of Brandoville's CEO, subjected employees to severe mistreatment. These allegations include mental and physical abuse, forced religious practices, extreme sleep deprivation, and even compelling an employee, Christa Sydney, to self-harm while being filmed. Multiple Brandoville employees have corroborated these claims, adding further accounts 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. Allegations of abuse reportedly date back to 2019, a period during which the studio worked on projects such as Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Indonesian authorities are investigating these claims and reportedly seek to question Kwan Cherry Lai, although her current location in Hong Kong presents a challenge.

This situation, along with numerous other reports of poor working conditions, abuse, and harassment across the gaming industry, highlights a critical need for stronger employee protections. The industry must address not only internal issues but also the responsibility it holds for the well-being of employees at external studios involved in its projects. The pursuit of justice for those allegedly abused at Brandoville remains uncertain.