Ashraf Ismail, former creative director of the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, who followed that role in late June allegations on social media of sexual abuse, was formally terminated by Ubisoft. The news comes from an internal memo sent to Kotaku on Friday.
In the memo, employees of Ubisoft Montreal were told that an outside investigation company had the matter in order, and Ubisoft stated “that Ashraf’s employment with Ubisoft should be terminated.” The publisher told staff it would not disclose details of the investigation.
Polygon has reached out to an Ubisoft representative for additional comments.
Ismail had worked for Ubisoft for the past 11 years and was creative director for 2017s Assassin’s Creed Origins and 2013s Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag. In June, allegations surfaced on Twitter that Ismail was having an extramarital affair with a streamer who met him at E3 2017.
Ismail was fired June 24. “The lives of my family and my own are ruined,” he said in a tweet. “I’m sorry everyone is hurting here.” Ubisoft confirmed the same day farewell to Ismail, and told Gamasutra that it would begin an investigation into the matter.
The streamer who made the first accusation against Ismail said she had a consensual relationship with him, but also said he had hidden his marriage from her, to the point of claiming that the marriage bond he wore was for show , so that his parents would not be asked why their son was not married.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is scheduled for a November 17 launch on Google Stadiums, PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One, as well as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which are currently expected.
Update: IN Ubisoft representative confirmed the release to Polygon. “As a result of investigations, Ashraf Ismail has been fired from Ubisoft and is no longer an employee,” they said.
