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

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 YouTube channel People Make Games detailed these allegations in a recent video report, highlighting a pattern of abusive behavior allegedly perpetrated by Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner and wife of Brandoville's CEO.

The report details harrowing accounts of abuse, including forced religious practices, sleep deprivation, and even the alleged coercion of an employee, Christa Sydney, into self-harm while being filmed. Further allegations emerged from other Brandoville employees, describing salary withholding, excessive overwork of a pregnant employee resulting in premature birth and the subsequent death of the child.

Brandoville Studio, founded in 2018, ceased operations in August 2024. While the studio collaborated on high-profile projects like Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows, reports of abusive practices reportedly date back to 2019. Indonesian authorities are investigating these claims and seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, though her current location in Hong Kong complicates the process.

This incident underscores a persistent problem within the video game industry: the prevalence of harassment, abuse, and poor working conditions. While Ubisoft's statement condemns the alleged actions, the case highlights the urgent need for stronger protections and accountability mechanisms for employees throughout the industry, addressing not only internal issues but also the ethical responsibilities towards external partners. The pursuit of justice for those allegedly harmed remains uncertain.