Ex-Ubisoft execs convicted for assault, harassment; fined $100K

Three former Ubisoft executives have been convicted of workplace misconduct, receiving suspended prison sentences and significant fines for sexual harassment, discrimination, and abusive behavior within the company.

The accused leaders—former Chief Creative Officer Serge Hascoët (once second-in-command to CEO Yves Guillemot), former Editorial VP Thomas François, and ex-game designer Guillame Patrux—all exited Ubisoft in 2020 amid sweeping allegations that resulted in their departures through a mix of resignations and terminations.

Court proceedings revealed disturbing incidents, including:

• Hascoët allegedly made racist remarks to a Muslim employee following the 2015 Paris attacks
• Numerous reports of racially charged harassment occurring under Hascoët's leadership
• Multiple women reporting inappropriate and vulgar conduct by the executives

Toxic Workplace Culture Exposed

Investigative reports indicated Hascoët allegedly fostered an abusive environment where his protégé François operated without consequences. Testimonies described:

• Hascoët requiring assistants to perform demeaning personal tasks during off-hours
• François reportedly watching explicit content at work and making unwanted advances
• A particularly egregious incident involving sexual assault at a company holiday party
• Degrading behavior including restraining a coworker and forcing personal grooming
• Patrux intimidating colleagues with aggressive conduct

Legal Consequences

The court handed down the following sentences:

• Serge Hascoët: 18-month suspended sentence + €45,000 fine (moral harassment complicity)
• Thomas François: 3-year suspended sentence + €30,000 fine (attempted sexual assault)
• Guillame Patrux: 12-month suspended sentence + €10,000 fine (workplace intimidation)

Ubisoft declined to provide official comment when contacted by IGN regarding the court's decision.