3 Ubisoft Executives Resign Amid Widespread Sexual Misconduct Allegations
By Nathan Fusco
Three high-ranking executives at Ubisoft have resigned amid widespread allegations of sexual misconduct within the company.
Serge Hascoët, chief creation officer, Cécile Cornet, global head of HR, and CEO of Canadian studios Yannis Mallat have all stepped down, a little more than a week after CEO Yves Guillemot promised investigations into the allegations and that the company would improve its HR procedures.
According to French newspaper Libération, Hascoë was "known for his toxicity, misogyny, and homophobia" while working at Ubisoft. He was accused of drugging other Ubisoft employees without their knowledge with space cakes, desserts filled with cannabis.
Ubisoft's Toronto studio was the center for many accusations. Company vice president Maxime Béland allegedly choked a female employee at a work party, one of many allegations against him listed in an extensive Kotaku article. Béland resigned last week.
“Ubisoft has fallen short in its obligation to guarantee a safe and inclusive workplace environment for its employees. This is unacceptable, as toxic behaviors are in direct contrast to values on which I have never compromised — and never will. I am committed to implementing profound changes across the Company to improve and strengthen our workplace culture,” Guillemot said in a statement Sunday. “Moving forward, as we collectively embark on a path leading to a better Ubisoft, it is my expectation that leaders across the Company manage their teams with the utmost respect. I also expect them to work to drive the change we need, always thinking of what is best for Ubisoft and all its employees.”
Hascoët is perhaps the most surprising resignation. He held the role of final decisions on what games the company made and was described as "untouchable," according to Bloomberg's Jason Schrier.
These decisions come after more than 100 employees wrote a letter to Ubisoft Toronto leadership, as reported by Kotaku, about "ongoing reported harassment and an inability to feel safe or protected within our own studio." The letter also cited alleged shortcomings of the HR department in handling reported incidents.