Assassin's Creed Studio Faces Abuse Claims

Ubisoft Responds to Allegations of Abuse at External Support Studio

Ubisoft has issued a statement expressing deep concern regarding allegations of 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 video by People Make Games, paints a disturbing picture of workplace conditions.

While the abuse did not occur within Ubisoft itself, the company strongly condemns such actions. 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 allegations of mental and physical abuse, forced religious practices, sleep deprivation, and coercion into self-harm. Multiple employees have corroborated these claims, citing instances of salary withholding and overworking a pregnant employee, resulting in 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 projects such as Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Indonesian authorities are currently investigating these claims and reportedly seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, although her current location in Hong Kong presents a challenge.

This incident underscores the ongoing issue of abuse and poor working conditions within the video game industry. Numerous reports of harassment, abuse, and other forms of mistreatment continue to surface, highlighting the critical need for stronger employee protections and accountability measures. The situation at Brandoville serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic change to ensure a safer and more ethical work environment for all game developers. The pursuit of justice for the alleged victims remains uncertain.

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