育碧对《刺客信条：幻影》支持工作室虐待指控“深感不安”

Summary

• Ubisoft responds to allegations of abuse at a contracted support studio.
• Brandoville Studio faces accusations of severe mental and physical abuse.
• Recent reports underscore the gaming industry's ongoing struggle to protect its workforce.

Ubisoft has issued a statement expressing deep concern regarding a video report detailing alleged 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 issue of workplace abuse within the video game industry is not new. Numerous reports have surfaced over the years, detailing harassment, physical and mental abuse, bullying, and other harmful behaviors, with some instances tragically leading to suicidal thoughts among developers. This latest report, from YouTube channel People Make Games, shines a light on a particularly disturbing case.

The video focuses on Brandoville Studio in Indonesia, alleging that Kwan Cherry Lai, the commissioner and wife of the CEO, engaged in extremely toxic and abusive behavior towards employees. These allegations include mental and physical abuse of employee Christa Sydney, forced religious practices, severe sleep deprivation, and even forcing Sydney to self-harm while recording it. Ubisoft, in a statement to Eurogamer, expressed its profound distress over the report.

Further allegations have emerged from other Brandoville employees, detailing salary deductions under the guise of financial "help," and the overworking of a pregnant employee, resulting in premature birth and the subsequent death of her child.

Brandoville Studio's History and Demise

Founded in 2018 and based in Indonesia, Brandoville Studio ceased operations in August 2024. Reports of abuse allegedly date back to 2019. During its operational years, the studio reportedly worked on several high-profile titles, including Age of Empires 4 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. An investigation is underway in Indonesia, with authorities seeking to question Kwan Cherry Lai, who reportedly claims to be in Hong Kong.

The pursuit of justice for Sydney and other alleged victims remains uncertain. The gaming industry, both domestically and internationally, continues to grapple with widespread issues of poor working conditions, abuse, and harassment. The need for stronger employee protections, addressing both internal misconduct and external threats like online harassment, is undeniably urgent.