Ubisoft Addresses Shocking Abuse Allegations at Brandoville Studios

Ubisoft has issued a statement in response to a disturbing report from People Make Games, which alleges severe abuse at Brandoville Studios, an Indonesian support studio that assisted with the development of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Brandoville, which closed its doors in August 2024, is accused of fostering a toxic work environment characterized by extreme mental and physical abuse.

Damning Allegations Against Brandoville Studios

The detailed report focuses on the experiences of Christa Sydney, a former employee of Brandoville who worked at the studio from 2019 to 2024. According to the report, Sydney endured harrowing treatment, including sleep deprivation, micromanagement, and physical abuse allegedly inflicted by Kwan Cherry Lai, the wife of Brandoville’s CEO, Ken Lai.

One of the most horrifying accounts details Sydney sustaining a concussion as a result of Lai’s actions. The report also highlights widespread abuse at the studio, including financial exploitation and the overworking of a pregnant employee.

The full report, available on the People Make Games YouTube channel, paints a grim picture of Brandoville’s toxic culture.

Ubisoft’s Response

Ubisoft released a brief statement addressing the allegations:

"We are deeply disturbed by the recent reports surrounding Brandoville Studios. We strongly condemn all forms of abuse, and our thoughts are with the affected employees."

While Ubisoft has publicly condemned the behavior, it remains unclear whether the company has taken steps to support the impacted employees or implement measures to prevent similar incidents with other partner studios.

This isn’t the first time Brandoville has come under scrutiny. In 2021, People Make Games released a report exposing the studio's crunch culture and the gaming industry’s heavy reliance on outsourcing. Despite the allegations from 2021, it appears that little was done to address the underlying issues, and the toxic environment persisted until the studio’s closure in 2024.

Brandoville contributed art and animation support to several high-profile games, including Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Age of Empires IV.

Trigger Warning

If you plan to watch the People Make Games report, please be advised that it contains graphic descriptions of abuse and may be triggering for some viewers.

As Ubisoft prepares to release Assassin’s Creed Shadows on February 14, the allegations cast a shadow over the game’s development. The industry must grapple with its ongoing challenges in workplace culture and outsourcing practices.

What are your thoughts on Ubisoft’s response and the industry’s accountability in cases like these? Let us know in the comments below.