Ubisoft \'Deeply Disturbed\' By Assassin\'s Creed Shadows Support Studio Abuse Allegations

Summary

• Ubisoft responds to disturbing allegations of abuse at a contracted support studio.
• Brandoville Studio, a subcontractor, faces accusations of severe mental and physical abuse.
• Recent reports highlight the ongoing need for stronger worker protections within the video game industry.

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 Assassin's Creed Shadows. While the abuse occurred outside of Ubisoft's direct operations, the company strongly condemns such actions.

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. The gaming industry has a history of facing allegations of harassment, abuse, and other harmful workplace practices, including instances of bullying that have driven developers to suicidal thoughts.

The YouTube channel People Make Games investigated Brandoville Studio, alleging a highly toxic and abusive work environment orchestrated by Kwan Cherry Lai, the studio's commissioner and wife of the CEO. The report details accusations of mental and physical abuse against employee Christa Sydney, including forced religious practices, extreme sleep deprivation, and even coercion into self-harm while being filmed. Ubisoft's statement to Eurogamer underscores its condemnation of this alleged abuse.

Further allegations have emerged from other Brandoville employees, including claims of salary withholding and the overworking of a pregnant employee, resulting in premature birth and the subsequent death of her child.

Brandoville Studio's History and Demise

Founded in 2018 in Indonesia, 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, who has since claimed to be in Hong Kong.

The pursuit of justice for Christa Sydney and other alleged victims remains uncertain. The persistent reports of poor working conditions, abuse, and harassment across the global games industry underscore the urgent need for systemic changes to better protect employees from both internal and external threats, including online harassment.