When it comes to games, Ubisoft has been holding steady. Despite the confusing temporary appearance of the female version of Assassin's Creed: Valhalla's protagonist, the game itself seems to be on track. Behind the scenes however, the company is in hot water.
There have been multiple accusations leveled against Ubisoft recently, coming over several days and from multiple sources. Most of these have been of sexual misconduct, and the accusations have come from many former female employees. What's more, they have been leveled against many different individuals, mostly men with positions of power within the company itself.
Ubisoft has issued a response to the sexual misconduct claims, although it was not very direct. The response said that Ubisoft has partnered with external parties to investigate the claims. This sentiment of investigation and wanting to create a safe environment was echoed recently by Yves Guillemot, the CEO of Ubisoft. Guillemot stated in a letter to staff that "the company we hold dear must offer a welcoming and respectful environment" and that he will "personally follow" each of the reports of misconduct.
The list of Ubisoft employees outed in the accusations is extensive, and many of them hold key positions in the company. In addition, the accusations are spread across Ubisoft's various branches, from Ubi Montreal to Ubi San Francisco. The fact that this seems to be a company-wide problem suggests that, if Guillemot wants his company to be safe for all, some sweeping actions must be taken. He will also have to keep an eye on several different situations to follow them as he stated, although hopefully action will not stop there. Following them is, after all, not the same as acting on them.
The response on Twitter to Ubisoft's statement has been mixed. Several are grateful for Ubisoft's response and transparency, while others call the response fluff and say it means nothing. According to one social media user, the issue was compounded in one location by an abuser's spouse being the head of HR. The fact that accusations against Assassin's Creed: Valhalla's creative director resulted in him leaving the project were not enough for many involved.
It is clear that some action is being taken, even if it is not as extensive or lenient as people would prefer. Two executives have been suspended and others named in the accusations are on leave (no word on if it's paid leave or not). Ubisoft has reached out to external law firms to investigate, which may lead to more consequences, or to nothing. Only time will tell.
Source: IGN