Ubisoft: Sexual Misconduct Survey Seeks Three High Positions

Three senior executives at game maker Ubisoft resigned amid an investigation into sexual misconduct.

The French company’s creative director, the head of Canadian studies and the global head of human resources have stepped down, Ubisoft said.

Ubisoft is a major player in the gaming industry, best known for the Assassin’s Creed franchise.

The resignations came just before its annual showcase for new games, which did not mention the allegations.

In a tweet before the event, Ubisoft said, “Because all of the content has been pre-recorded, we wanted to acknowledge that the issues we are currently addressing will not be addressed directly in the show.”

The company has already seen one of its top executives and another position on administrative leave leave.

Many of the allegations have been made anonymously online, with a particular focus on the company’s Canadian studies.

Ubisoft has not made any specific complaints publicly against its own staff as it continues its investigation.

But both the French media and the gaming press have released allegations that the company ignored complaints of sexual misconduct and had a culture of harassment, sometimes fueled by alcohol consumption at company events.

Senior managers

Ubisoft said the last three executives who quit “are part of the comprehensive work the company is doing to improve and strengthen its work culture.”

Creative director Serge Hascoët “has chosen to resign his position” with immediate effect, the company said.

Hascoët was widely seen as a key figure in the company, and gaming journalist Jason Scheier called him “the most powerful creative force” with the power to “green-light or cancel a project” on his own.

Canadian Studios Managing Director Yannis Mallat will also leave the company immediately.

“The recent allegations that have come to light in Canada against multiple employees make it impossible for him to continue in this position,” Ubisoft said.

And the global director of RR. H H. Cécile Cornet “has decided to resign from this position, since he believes that it is the best thing for the company unit”.

‘Full review’

As part of its internal investigation, Ubisoft is bringing in an external consultancy to audit its human resources process.

Ubisoft CEO and Co-Founder Yves Guillemot said the company failed to fulfill its responsibility to employees.

“This is unacceptable, since the toxic behaviors are in direct contrast to values ​​that I have never committed myself to,” he said.

Guillemot also takes on Hascoët’s creative leadership role and promises “a complete overhaul of how creative teams collaborate.”

‘Inappropriate behavior’

A week earlier, Ubisoft Vice President Maxime Beland resigned from his post amid allegations of misconduct.

Ubisoft said at the time that it was continuing to investigate the allegations against Beland.

And another vice president, Tommy François, had been put on leave.

It occurs when the gaming community at large deals with allegations of sexual harassment or misconduct.

Last month, Twitch dealt with a wave of complaints against popular streamers on its platform, while the fighting game community saw a torrent of accusations of inappropriate behavior by well-known figures.