Ubisoft Responds to Disturbing Allegations of Abuse at External Studio
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 company strongly condemns such actions.
The report, published by YouTube channel People Make Games, alleges a pattern of abusive behavior by Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner and wife of Brandoville's CEO. Allegations include mental and physical abuse, forced religious practices, severe sleep deprivation, and coercion of self-harm against employee Christa Sydney. Multiple Brandoville employees have corroborated these claims, citing further instances of financial exploitation and overwork, including an incident involving a pregnant employee who experienced a premature birth and subsequent infant death.
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 including Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Indonesian authorities are investigating these claims and reportedly seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, although her current location in Hong Kong complicates the process.
This incident underscores a persistent problem within the video game industry: the prevalence of harassment, abuse, and poor working conditions. The ongoing reports of such misconduct, ranging from bullying to death threats, highlight the urgent need for stronger employee protections and accountability measures across the industry. The outcome for Christa Sydney and other alleged victims remains uncertain, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for justice and safer working environments in the gaming sector.
