The case had caused a stir back in 2020 and is now resurfacing. This Monday, March 10, the Bobigny court will commence the trial of three former Ubisoft executives accused of moral and sexual harassment. This marks another chapter in the ongoing crisis that has been shaking the French gaming giant for years.
Update: The court has decided to postpone the trial to June 2, 2025, at the request of the civil parties’ and defense lawyers, due to the late submission of new documents.
Internal Management Under Scrutiny
This morning, Serge Hascoët, the former creative director of the group, Tommy François, former vice president of Ubisoft’s editorial services, and Guillaume Patrux, former game director, will stand trial for charges of moral and sexual harassment dating back to 2020.
Behind the publisher’s success, a toxic corporate culture has been exposed, denounced through numerous testimonies followed by investigations and a collective lawsuit filed in 2020. The allegations are serious: they include sexual and moral harassment, belittlement, insults, an employee being tied to a chair and mistreated, and the broadcasting of adult films in the open office space.
However, the name of Ubisoft’s CEO and founder, Yves Guillemot, looms large over the proceedings. The Solidaires Informatique union has been outspoken, stating, “We believe that the company has its share of responsibility in this story, and Yves Guillemot as a leader. He must have been aware of everything happening within the company.”
A direct summons could also be issued against the Ubisoft boss, although, as of now, no official summons has been received, according to a source close to the management. Ubisoft, as an entity, has never been heard in this investigation.
Ubisoft: Promises of Change, Yet a Culture Still Criticized
In response to the 2020 scandal, Ubisoft had promised to make amends. Measures were announced, including mandatory training against harassment and discrimination, the establishment of a specialized team for incident management and employee protection, and secure reporting channels with the help of independent external partners. Additionally, a reform of performance evaluations was introduced to break up cliques and promote diversity.
Despite these commitments, the Solidaires Informatique union believes the toxic culture remains ingrained, with a lack of agility in decision-making and a persistent managerial omerta.
A Faltering Strategy, An Uncertain Future
Beyond the scandals, Ubisoft is experiencing a challenging period both economically and creatively. Recent commercial failures are mounting: “Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown” received critical acclaim but was ignored by the public. The ambitious “Star Wars Outlaws” struggles to generate the expected excitement. “Skull & Bones,” consistently delayed, received a lukewarm reception upon release. The highly anticipated next installment of the flagship series, “Assassin’s Creed Shadows,” has had its release pushed back to March 20 after a major leak a few weeks ago.
Moreover, despite its 19,000 employees and expertise, the company appears to be in turmoil today. Strategic and marketing missteps are proliferating, and games struggle to resonate with audiences. According to the union, the lack of horizontal decision-making prevents Ubisoft from adapting to player expectations and innovating.