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 mental and physical abuse at Brandoville Studio, an external support studio that contributed to the development of Assassin's Creed Shadows. While the abuse did not occur within Ubisoft itself, the company strongly condemns such actions.

A recent investigative report by the YouTube channel People Make Games details harrowing accounts of abuse allegedly perpetrated by Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner and wife of Brandoville's CEO. The report alleges a pattern of abusive behavior, including mental and physical abuse, forced religious practices, severe sleep deprivation, and coercion of self-harm against employee Christa Sydney. Multiple Brandoville employees have corroborated these allegations, citing instances of wage theft, exploitation 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. Allegations 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 investigating these claims and reportedly seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, though her current location in Hong Kong complicates matters.

This incident underscores the ongoing problem of abuse and harassment within the video game industry. Numerous reports over the years have highlighted issues ranging from bullying and harassment to severe forms of abuse, even resulting in tragic consequences. The need for stronger protections and improved working conditions for employees remains a critical concern, requiring both industry-wide reform and effective legal action to ensure accountability and justice for victims. The outcome of the investigation into Brandoville and the pursuit of justice for those allegedly harmed remains uncertain.