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

Ubisoft Responds to Allegations of Abuse at External Studio

Ubisoft has issued a statement expressing deep concern regarding allegations of mental and physical abuse at Brandoville Studio, an external support studio that contributed to the development of 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 did not occur within Ubisoft itself, the company strongly condemns such actions. The video alleges that Kwan Cherry Lai, commissioner of the Brandoville development team (and wife of the CEO), engaged in a pattern of abusive behavior toward employees, including Christa Sydney. Allegations include mental and physical abuse, forced religious practices, severe sleep deprivation, and coercion into self-harm. Multiple Brandoville employees have corroborated these claims, citing instances of withheld wages, excessive overwork of a pregnant employee (resulting in premature birth and the subsequent death of the child), and other forms of mistreatment.

Brandoville Studio, founded in 2018 and based in Indonesia, ceased operations in August 2024. Reports of abuse reportedly date back to 2019, during which time the studio worked on projects including Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Indonesian authorities are currently investigating these allegations and reportedly seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, although her current location in Hong Kong may complicate the process.

This incident, sadly, underscores the ongoing issue of abuse within the video game industry. Numerous reports of harassment, abuse, and poor working conditions continue to surface, highlighting the urgent need for stronger employee protections and accountability mechanisms. The industry must address these systemic problems to ensure a safer and more ethical work environment for all. The pursuit of justice for Christa Sydney and other alleged victims remains uncertain.