Ubisoft Responds to 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 did not occur within Ubisoft itself, the company strongly condemns such actions.

The report, published by YouTube channel People Make Games, alleges a pattern of toxic and abusive behavior by Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner of the Brandoville development team and wife of the CEO. These allegations include severe mental and physical abuse of employee Christa Sydney, forced religious practices, sleep deprivation, and coercion into self-harm. Multiple Brandoville employees have come forward with similar accounts, including claims of salary withholding and the overworking of a pregnant employee, resulting in 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, 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, though her current location in Hong Kong presents a challenge.

This incident underscores the ongoing issue of abuse and poor working conditions within the video game industry. The report highlights the urgent need for improved employee protection and accountability, addressing not only internal workplace issues but also the impact of external contractors and online harassment. The pursuit of justice for those allegedly harmed remains uncertain.