Ubisoft Responds to Disturbing Abuse Allegations 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 Assassin's Creed Shadows. While the abuse did not occur within Ubisoft itself, the company strongly condemns such actions.
The report, published by the YouTube channel People Make Games, details a pattern of alleged abuse perpetrated by Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner and wife of Brandoville's CEO. Allegations include mental and physical abuse, forced religious practices, extreme sleep deprivation, and coercion of an employee, Christa Sydney, into self-harm while being filmed. Multiple Brandoville employees have corroborated these claims, citing instances of wage theft, excessive overwork (including of a pregnant employee who subsequently experienced a premature birth and infant loss), and other forms of mistreatment.
Brandoville Studio, founded in 2018 and based in Indonesia, ceased operations in August 2024. Reports of abuse reportedly date back to 2019, during which time the studio worked on projects including Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Indonesian authorities are currently investigating these allegations and seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, who is reportedly in Hong Kong.
This incident underscores the ongoing problem of abuse and harassment within the video game industry. Numerous reports of toxic work environments, harassment, and even death threats highlight the urgent need for stronger protections and accountability for employees. The long-term impact on victims like Christa Sydney and the uncertain path to justice remain a serious concern. The industry must address these systemic issues to ensure a safer and more ethical workplace for all.
