Ubisoft Stunned by Shadows Support Studio Abuse Allegations

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 Indonesian outsourcing partner that contributed to Assassin's Creed Shadows. The YouTube channel People Make Games released a video detailing these accusations, which include claims of forced religious practices, sleep deprivation, self-harm coercion, and financial exploitation of employees by Kwan Cherry Lai, the studio's commissioner and wife of the CEO. Further allegations from multiple employees corroborate these claims, including the overworking of a pregnant employee resulting in premature birth and the subsequent death of her child.

This incident underscores a persistent problem within the video game industry: the prevalence of abuse and harassment. While the abuse occurred at an external studio, not directly within Ubisoft, the report highlights the systemic issues requiring immediate attention. Previous instances of bullying, harassment, and even cases leading to suicidal ideation among developers have been documented, demonstrating a need for stronger employee protections across the industry.

Brandoville Studio, founded in 2018, ceased operations in August 2024. Allegations of abuse reportedly date back to 2019, during which time the studio worked on titles such as Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Indonesian authorities are investigating these claims and seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, although her current location in Hong Kong complicates the process.

The pursuit of justice for the alleged victims remains uncertain. The gaming industry continues to grapple with widespread reports of poor working conditions, abuse, and harassment, both internally and externally, highlighting the urgent need for improved safeguards and accountability to protect employees from harm. The situation underscores the need for systemic change to prevent future occurrences and ensure a safer working environment for all.