Summary
- Ubisoft responds to abuse allegations at support studio.
- Brandoville Studio accused of mental, physical abuse.
- Reports of abuse in the gaming industry highlight need for better protection.
A recent video report detailing alleged mental and physical abuse at an external support studio has prompted a response from Ubisoft, which described the situation as "deeply disturbing." Although the abuse did not occur within Ubisoft itself, the implicated support studio, Brandoville, contributed to the development of Assassin's Creed Shadows.
Unfortunately, abuse within the video game industry is not a new issue, with numerous reports over the years highlighting harassment, mental and physical abuse, and other serious problems. These reports have included instances of bullying that have driven game developers to contemplate suicide. The latest report adds to this troubling trend.
Rather than the abuse occurring directly within Ubisoft, the video from the YouTube channel People Make Games delves into a situation at the Indonesian studio Brandoville. It alleges that the game development team's commissioner, Kwan Cherry Lai—who is also the wife of Brandoville's CEO—created a toxic and abusive work environment. Lai reportedly subjected employee Christa Sydney to mental and physical abuse, forced religious worship, severe sleep deprivation over four days, and even compelled Sydney to self-harm on camera. In response to the video, Ubisoft told Eurogamer that the company is "deeply disturbed" by the report and condemns any form of abuse.
Additional workers at Brandoville have come forward with similar allegations against Lai, including withholding parts of their salaries under the guise of helping with their spending and overworking a pregnant employee, who subsequently gave birth prematurely. Tragically, the employee's child later passed away in the hospital.
Brandoville Studio's History and Fate
Established in 2018 and headquartered in Indonesia, Brandoville shut down in August 2024. Reports of abuse date back to 2019. During its operation, the studio assisted with major game releases, including Age of Empires 4 and the upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows. Following these allegations, investigations have begun in Indonesia, with the police seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai. However, People Make Games reports that Lai has claimed to be in Hong Kong, complicating efforts to locate her.
It remains uncertain whether Sydney and other alleged victims will achieve justice. Across the US and globally, reports of poor working conditions, abuse, and sexual harassment continue to surface within the gaming industry. It is evident that more must be done to protect employees, whether they face abuse from internal staff or endure severe threats from external sources.
