Ubisoft Responds to Disturbing Abuse Allegations at External Studio
Ubisoft has issued a statement expressing deep concern regarding allegations of severe mental and physical abuse at Brandoville Studio, an Indonesian outsourcing partner 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 at an external studio and not within Ubisoft itself, the incident highlights a persistent problem within the gaming industry: the prevalence of harassment, abuse, and exploitative practices. Previous reports have documented bullying, extreme pressure leading to suicidal thoughts among developers, and other serious issues. This latest case underscores the urgent need for greater employee protection.
The People Make Games video alleges that Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner and wife of Brandoville's CEO, engaged in a pattern of abusive behavior towards employees. One employee, Christa Sydney, reportedly endured mental and physical abuse, forced religious practices, severe sleep deprivation, and was even compelled to self-harm while being filmed. Several other employees have since come forward with similar accusations, including claims of salary withholding and the overworking of a pregnant employee, resulting in premature birth and the subsequent death of the child.
Brandoville's History and Uncertain Future
Founded in 2018, Brandoville Studio 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 seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, though her current location in Hong Kong presents a challenge.
The possibility of justice for Christa Sydney and other alleged victims remains uncertain. The gaming industry continues to grapple with widespread reports of poor working conditions, abuse, and harassment, both internally and externally. This situation underscores the critical need for stronger protections and accountability mechanisms to safeguard employees from various forms of workplace harm, including online threats and abuse.
