Recent allegations against Ubisoft’s subcontractor, Brandoville, involve severe harassment by Kwan Cherry Lai, causing lasting trauma to multiple employees. A report from People Make Games details various abuses, including rigid work schedules, humiliating tasks, and financial control, as well as the tragic circumstances surrounding a pregnant employee. Ubisoft, caught off guard by these claims, condemned the actions and emphasized their previous ignorance of management issues, all while preparing for the upcoming release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
While we may not always have a say in who our neighbors are, we certainly have the power to select our subcontractors. Unfortunately for Ubisoft, it seems they have recently discovered some unsettling facts about one of their partnered studios, revealing serious issues that the French gaming giant firmly denounces.
Alarming Allegations Against Ubisoft’s Subcontractor
A striking report released by People Make Games has brought to light troubling allegations involving Brandoville‘s Kwan Cherry Lai. This report claims that Lai engaged in significant harassment of multiple employees in an extremely severe and violent manner, resulting in lasting trauma for the victims.
For those who may find it distressing, you might want to skip the following quote.
‘Insider reports reveal that from 2019 until the studio’s closure in 2024, Lai subjected several employees to various forms of abuse. This included imposing rigid work schedules alongside daily Christian worship, humiliating an employee by forcing her to write lines as if she were in school, and even requiring her to produce a video of herself slapping her face a hundred times as punishment.
Other reported abuses include intrusive control over employees’ finances and the overworking of a pregnant staff member, whose baby tragically passed away after four months in intensive care.
As legal proceedings are anticipated regarding these extreme allegations, viewers may find the full nearly 50-minute video from People Make Games particularly difficult to watch, given its emotional weight.
This grave situation has prompted immediate reactions from studios that utilized this subcontractor’s services.
Ubisoft’s Response to the Disturbing Claims
Despite the studio’s closure over six months ago, it had previously contributed to significant video game projects, including the much-anticipated Assassin’s Creed Shadows, set for release in March 2025, barring any further delays.
In light of the allegations, Eurogamer reached out to Ubisoft for comment, and the news caught the French studio off guard.
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Ubisoft clarified that they only regarded Brandoville as a subcontractor and were unaware of the internal management issues, which likely did not contribute to the end of their collaboration. Nevertheless, Ubisoft strongly condemns the reported actions, especially considering their own efforts to improve internal practices following past controversies.
As Assassin’s Creed Shadows garners attention just weeks ahead of its release, the news is far from positive for fans who may begin to feel frustrated…
Meanwhile, Sony celebrates the commercial success of the PS5 Pro and PS Portal, as 2025 appears to be a year of experimentation with innovative gaming technologies, including some truly outrageous ideas.