Summary
- Ubisoft responds to disturbing allegations of abuse at a contracted support studio.
- Brandoville Studio, a subcontractor, faces accusations of severe mental and physical abuse.
- The gaming industry's ongoing struggle with abuse underscores the urgent need for stronger employee protections.
Ubisoft has issued a statement expressing deep concern regarding a recent video report detailing alleged 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 incident highlights a persistent problem within the gaming industry.
The YouTube channel People Make Games' investigation focuses on Brandoville's commissioner, Kwan Cherry Lai (wife of the CEO), who allegedly subjected employees to horrific treatment, including mental and physical abuse, forced religious practices, extreme sleep deprivation, and even compelled self-harm. Ubisoft's response to Eurogamer strongly condemns such actions.
Further allegations have emerged from other Brandoville employees, describing similar patterns of abuse, such as salary withholding and overworking a pregnant employee, resulting in premature birth and the subsequent death of the child.
Brandoville Studio's History and Demise
Founded in 2018 in Indonesia, Brandoville ceased operations in August 2024. Reports of abuse allegedly 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 seek to question Kwan Cherry Lai, though her current location in Hong Kong complicates matters.
The pursuit of justice for the alleged victims remains uncertain. The gaming industry continues to grapple with widespread issues of poor working conditions, abuse, and harassment, both internally and from external sources like online harassment and death threats. The need for robust employee protection measures is undeniably urgent.
