Summary
- Ubisoft responds to disturbing allegations of abuse at a contracted support studio.
- Brandoville Studio, a contractor on Assassin's Creed Shadows, faces accusations of severe mental and physical abuse.
- This incident underscores the ongoing problem of abuse within the video game industry and the urgent need for stronger employee protections.
Ubisoft has issued a statement expressing deep concern over 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 video, published by YouTube channel People Make Games, details a disturbing pattern of alleged abuse perpetrated by Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner and wife of Brandoville's CEO. Allegations include mental and physical abuse of employee Christa Sydney, forced religious practices, extreme sleep deprivation, and even compelling Sydney to self-harm while recording it. Additional former employees have come forward with similar accounts, including claims of wage manipulation and the overworking of a pregnant employee, resulting in premature birth and the subsequent death of the child.
Brandoville's Troubled History and Closure
Founded in 2018 in Indonesia, Brandoville Studio ceased operations in August 2024. Allegations of abuse reportedly date back to 2019, a period during which the studio worked on notable titles like Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Indonesian authorities are currently investigating these claims and seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, who reportedly claims to be in Hong Kong.
The pursuit of justice for Christa Sydney and other alleged victims remains uncertain. This case, alongside numerous other reports of poor working conditions, abuse, and harassment across the gaming industry, highlights the critical need for improved employee protections and a stronger commitment to fostering safe and ethical workplaces, both from internal company actions and external threats like online harassment.
