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 Indonesian outsourcing partner that contributed to 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's own operations, the incident underscores the ongoing problem of abuse within the video game industry. This isn't a new issue; past reports have highlighted harassment, abuse, and other detrimental workplace practices, including instances of bullying leading to suicidal ideation among developers.

The People Make Games video focuses on the alleged actions of Kwan Cherry Lai, Brandoville's commissioner and wife of the CEO. Lai is accused of inflicting severe mental and physical abuse on employees, including forcing religious practices, sleep deprivation, and even compelling self-harm on camera. Multiple employees have corroborated these claims, citing salary manipulation and the overworking of a pregnant employee who subsequently suffered a premature birth and infant loss.

Brandoville Studio, founded in 2018, ceased operations in August 2024. Allegations of abuse date back to 2019, a period during which the studio worked on titles such as Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Indonesian authorities are investigating the matter and seeking to question Lai, although her reported relocation to Hong Kong complicates the process.

The situation highlights the urgent need for stronger employee protections across the gaming industry. From internal misconduct to online harassment and death threats, the industry must address the systemic issues contributing to these abuses to ensure a safer and healthier work environment for all. The pursuit of justice for those allegedly harmed at Brandoville remains uncertain.