Ubisoft Roiled by Abuse Claims

Ubisoft Responds to Disturbing Allegations of Abuse at External Studio

Ubisoft has issued a statement expressing deep concern regarding a recent video report alleging severe 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.

The report, published by YouTube channel People Make Games, details a pattern of toxic behavior and abuse allegedly perpetrated by Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner and wife of Brandoville's CEO. Allegations include mental and physical abuse of employees, forced religious practices, extreme sleep deprivation, and coercion into self-harm. Multiple employees have come forward with similar accounts, including instances of wage theft and the overworking of a pregnant employee, resulting in a premature birth and the subsequent death of the child.

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 titles, including Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Indonesian authorities are currently investigating these claims and seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, although her current location in Hong Kong complicates the process.

This incident underscores the ongoing issue of abuse and harassment within the video game industry. Numerous reports of poor working conditions, harassment, and even death threats highlight the urgent need for stronger employee protections and accountability measures across the industry, both for those abused by internal staff and those facing external threats. The pursuit of justice for the alleged victims at Brandoville remains uncertain.