Ubisoft Vows Investigation into Alleged Abuse at Shadows Studio

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 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.

The allegations against Brandoville's commissioner, Kwan Cherry Lai (wife of the CEO), include instances of extreme workplace toxicity, forcing religious practices, sleep deprivation, and even compelling an employee, Christa Sydney, to self-harm while being filmed. Multiple employees have come forward with similar accounts of abuse, including salary manipulation and the overworking of a pregnant employee, resulting in premature birth and the tragic loss of her child.

Brandoville Studio, founded in 2018 and based in Indonesia, ceased operations in August 2024. Reports of abusive practices 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 seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, although her current location in Hong Kong complicates the process.

This incident underscores the ongoing issue of abuse within the video game industry. Numerous reports of harassment, abuse, and poor working conditions continue to surface, highlighting the urgent need for stronger employee protections and accountability. The situation at Brandoville serves as a stark reminder of the systemic problems that require immediate and comprehensive solutions to safeguard workers' well-being. The long-term consequences for those allegedly abused remain uncertain, emphasizing the critical need for industry-wide reform.