Ubisoft Responds to 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 report, detailed in a recent People Make Games YouTube video, paints a disturbing picture of workplace conditions.

While the abuse occurred at a studio independent of Ubisoft, the incident underscores the ongoing issue of abuse within the video game industry. The video alleges that Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner and wife of Brandoville's CEO, engaged in a pattern of abusive behavior towards employees, including employee Christa Sydney. Allegations include mental and physical abuse, forced religious practices, severe sleep deprivation, and even compelling Sydney to self-harm while recording it. Multiple Brandoville employees have corroborated these claims, citing instances of salary withholding, overworking a pregnant employee (resulting in premature birth and the infant's death), 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 such as Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Indonesian authorities are investigating these claims and reportedly seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, who is currently believed to be in Hong Kong.

This situation highlights the persistent need for stronger employee protections within the gaming industry. The prevalence of reports detailing poor working conditions, abuse, and harassment underscores the urgent need for systemic change to ensure safer and more ethical workplaces. The pursuit of justice for those allegedly harmed at Brandoville remains uncertain.