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 external support studio that contributed to the development of Assassin's Creed Shadows. The video report, published by People Make Games, details harrowing accounts of abuse 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 of employee Christa Sydney, forced religious practices, extreme sleep deprivation, and coercion into self-harm. Further allegations from other Brandoville employees include salary withholding and the overworking of a pregnant employee, resulting in premature birth and the subsequent death of the child.
These disturbing claims are not isolated incidents. The gaming industry has a troubling history of reports concerning harassment, abuse, and toxic work environments. This case underscores the urgent need for stronger employee protections and a more ethical industry culture.
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 several high-profile projects, including Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Indonesian authorities are investigating these allegations and seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, although her current location in Hong Kong complicates the process.
The pursuit of justice for Christa Sydney and other alleged victims remains uncertain. The prevalence of reports detailing poor working conditions, abuse, and harassment across the global gaming industry highlights the critical need for systemic change to safeguard employees from both internal and external threats, including online harassment and death threats.
