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 a recent report of alleged mental and physical abuse at Brandoville Studio, an Indonesian outsourcing partner that contributed to Assassin's Creed Shadows. The report, published by the YouTube channel People Make Games, details disturbing allegations of abuse perpetrated by Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner and wife of Brandoville's CEO.

The allegations include instances of severe mental and physical abuse, forced religious practices, sleep deprivation, and coercion of self-harm against employee Christa Sydney. Further accounts from other Brandoville employees corroborate these claims, citing salary deductions under the guise of financial assistance, and the overworking 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 worked on titles such as Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows, reports of abusive practices reportedly date back to 2019. Indonesian authorities are currently investigating these allegations and seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, who is reportedly in Hong Kong.

This incident underscores a persistent problem within the video game industry: the prevalence of harassment, abuse, and poor working conditions. While the abuse in this case occurred at an external studio, Ubisoft's response highlights the industry's collective responsibility to address these issues and ensure better protection for all workers. The ongoing investigation in Indonesia, and the broader conversation surrounding workplace safety in the gaming sector, emphasize the urgent need for improved safeguards and accountability. The future of justice for those allegedly abused remains uncertain.