Assassin's Creed Shadows Studio Accused of Abuse

Summary

• Ubisoft responds to allegations of abuse at a support studio.
• Brandoville Studio faces accusations of severe mental and physical abuse.
• Recent reports highlight the ongoing issue of workplace abuse within the gaming industry and 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 company strongly condemns such actions.

The gaming industry's struggle with abuse is not new; numerous reports of harassment, abuse, and other harmful workplace practices have surfaced over the years. This latest report, from YouTube channel People Make Games, details a particularly disturbing case.

The report alleges that Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner of the Brandoville development team (and wife of the CEO), engaged in egregious misconduct, including mental and physical abuse of employee Christa Sydney, forced religious practices, severe sleep deprivation, and even coerced self-harm. Ubisoft's statement to Eurogamer emphasizes its condemnation of this behavior.

Further allegations from other Brandoville employees include salary withholding under the guise of financial assistance, and the overworking of 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 Studio ceased operations in August 2024. Allegations of abuse date back to 2019, during which time the studio reportedly worked on projects such as Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Indonesian authorities are currently investigating these claims and seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, though her reported relocation to Hong Kong complicates the process.

The possibility of justice for Christa Sydney and other alleged victims remains uncertain. The persistent reports of poor working conditions, abuse, and harassment across the gaming industry, both domestically and internationally, underscore the critical need for improved employee protection and accountability, extending beyond internal company policies to address external threats such as online harassment and death threats.