Ubisoft controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
Singapore watchdog opens investigation into Ubisoft Singapore
Investigation
The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices opened an investigation into Ubisoft Singapore following allegations of workplace discrimination and sexual harassment.
Source excerpt
A government investigation into Ubisoft Singapore has been opened by the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices, following allegations of workplace discrimination and sexual harassment.
2021
Court rules for Ubisoft in DDoS-related lawsuit
Ruling
The US Central District Court of California entered a default judgment in Ubisoft's favor against a group accused of selling software used to carry out DDoS attacks in online games. The defendants were ordered to pay Ubisoft $153,094.04 in damages, cease operations, and transfer relevant domains to the company.
Source excerpt
Ubisoft has been awarded over $153,000 following legal action against a group selling software used to carry out DDoS attacks in online games, including Rainbow Six: Siege.
Additionally, the defendants were ordered by the court to close their operations, any social network accounts associated, and pass over any relevant domains to Ubisoft.
The US Central District Court of California settled the case as a default judgement, as the defendants did not contend with Ubisoft's claims.
2021
Complaint filed against Ubisoft over alleged institutional harassment
Lawsuit filed
Solidaires Informatique and two former Ubisoft employees filed a complaint against Ubisoft in a French court, accusing the company of tolerating sexual harassment. Ubisoft's spokesperson said it had no further details to share about the claim.
Company response
Clarification — Ubisoft
A spokesperson for Ubisoft told Kotaku that they did "not have further details to share regarding the claim filed against Ubisoft."
Source excerpt
Ubisoft have had a complaint filed against them in French court by workers union Solidaires Informatique and two former Ubisoft employees. The complain accuses Ubisoft of "setting up, maintaining and reinforcing a system where sexual harassment is tolerated."
A spokesperson for Ubisoft told Kotaku that they did "not have further details to share regarding the claim filed against Ubisoft."
French workers union Solidaires Informatiques and two former Ubisoft staffers Rock Paper Shotgunhave sued the game developer for allegedly enabling a culture of "institutional sexual harassment."
2021
Court rules for Ubisoft in DDoS lawsuit
Ruling
The US District Court for the Central District of California entered a default judgment in Ubisoft's favor and awarded it more than $153,000 in its lawsuit against operators of services allegedly offering DDoS attacks against games including Rainbow Six Siege. The defendants were also ordered to shut down the services and transfer relevant domain names to Ubisoft.
Source excerpt
Ubisoft filed a lawsuit against the operators of SNG.one, a website that allegedly offered to provide DDoS attacks against online games including Rainbow Six Siege.
2020
Workplace harassment and misconduct allegations
Media reports and employee accounts alleged harassment, discrimination, and inappropriate conduct within parts of Ubisoft. The allegations prompted investigations, executive departures, disciplinary measures, and changes to human-resources and reporting practices.
2020
Ubisoft sues Apple and Google over Area F2
Lawsuit filed
Ubisoft filed a lawsuit against Apple and Google in a federal court in Los Angeles, seeking to force the two companies to remove the game Area F2 from their platforms. Ubisoft alleged that Area F2 copied virtually every aspect of its game Rainbow Six: Siege. The dispute concerns the distribution of Area F2 through the Apple and Google platforms, with Ubisoft pursuing removal of the game rather than a claim against its developer.
Ubisoft sued Apple and Google in federal court in Los Angeles, seeking to force them to remove Area F2 from their platforms. Ubisoft alleged that the game copied virtually every aspect of Rainbow Six: Siege.
Stated objective. Force Apple and Google to remove Area F2 from their platforms.
Source excerpt
Ubisoft has now sued both companies in the federal court at Los Angeles and will try to force them to remove the game from their platforms.
"Virtually every aspect of AF2 is copied from R6S, from the operator selection screen to the final scoring screen, and everything in between."
Since the companies aren't taking the game down, it decided to take legal action against them.
2020
Ubisoft addresses allegations against staff
Company response
In June 2020, a report headline stated that Ubisoft had addressed allegations against multiple staff members and was investigating further. The supplied text describes allegations of sexual assault and harassment involving employees. The available material does not specify the number of individuals involved, the identities of those concerned, or the outcome of any investigation. It also does not indicate what measures, if any, the company announced beyond addressing the allegations and investigating further. This entry records only what the headline and accompanying text state, without additional details on people, dates, amounts, or outcomes.
A report headline says Ubisoft addressed allegations against multiple staff and was investigating further; the supplied text describes allegations of sexual assault and harassment involving employees.
Company response
Investigation — Ubisoft
Ubisoft addresses allegations against multiple staff, investigating further
Source excerpt
Further allegations of sexual harassment and assault have been made against several other Ubisoft employees from various studios.
Since last weekend, multiple allegations of sexual assault and harassment have been made concerning Andrien "Escoblades" Gbinigie, a veteran employee who worked for years as community manager for the Assassin's Creed franchise.
This summer, we learned that certain Ubisoft employees did not uphold our company’s values, and that our systems failed to protect the victims of their behaviour.
2020
Ubisoft responds to sexual misconduct allegations
Company response
Ubisoft issued a response to allegations of sexual misconduct against members of its teams. The company apologized to the people affected by the allegations. It stated that it had launched investigations with the assistance of external consultants and committed to taking appropriate disciplinary action based on the outcomes of those investigations. Ubisoft also said it was auditing its policies, processes, and systems. The response addressed the allegations and outlined the company's stated steps without detailing specific cases or individuals.
Ubisoft apologized to people affected by allegations against team members, said it had launched investigations with external consultants, and committed to appropriate disciplinary action based on the outcomes. It also said it was auditing its policies, processes, and systems.
Stated objective. To create an inclusive and safe environment for teams, players, and communities.
Company response
Apology — Ubisoft
We want to start by apologizing to everyone affected by this – we are truly sorry.
Investigation — Ubisoft
We have started by launching investigations into the allegations with the support of specialized external consultants.
Personnel action — Ubisoft
Based on the outcomes, we are fully committed to taking any and all appropriate disciplinary action.
Investigation — Ubisoft
We are also auditing our existing policies, processes, and systems to understand where these have broken down, and to ensure we can better prevent, detect, and punish inappropriate behavior.
Source excerpt
Following multiple sexual misconduct allegations against Ubisoft team members, the video game company has issued a statement committing to take "any and all appropriate disciplinary action" against those guilty of abuse.
We want to start by apologizing to everyone affected by this – we are truly sorry.
We have started by launching investigations into the allegations with the support of specialized external consultants.
2020
Ubisoft responds to criticism of Elite Squad imagery
Company response
Ubisoft responded to criticism of raised-fist imagery in Tom Clancy's Elite Squad. The company called the imagery insensitive and harmful, apologized, and said it would remove the imagery in a forthcoming update.
After criticism of raised-fist imagery in Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad, Ubisoft called the imagery insensitive and harmful, apologized, and said it would remove the imagery in a forthcoming update.
Company response
Apology — Ubisoft
“Imagery that appeared in the opening video sequence of Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad featuring a ‘raised fist’ was insensitive and harmful in both its inclusion and how it was portrayed,” Ubisoft wrote on Twitter earlier today. “We have listened to and appreciate the players and the broader community who have pointed it out and we apologize.”
Remediation — Ubisoft
The publisher says the imagery will be removed in the game’s next update on September 1 on Android and “as soon as possible” on iOS.
Source excerpt
“Imagery that appeared in the opening video sequence of Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad featuring a ‘raised fist’ was insensitive and harmful in both its inclusion and how it was portrayed,” Ubisoft wrote on Twitter earlier today. “We have listened to and appreciate the players and the broader community who have pointed it out and we apologize.”
The publisher says the imagery will be removed in the game’s next update on September 1 on Android and “as soon as possible” on iOS.
Today Ubisoft announced it will remove raised fist imagery from the opening cinematic of its new mobile game, Tom Clancy’s Elite Squad, following widespread criticism that the game’s intro plays on right-wing conspiracies about the Black Lives Matter movement.
2020
Ubisoft responds to employee abuse scandal
Company response
In a controversy involving Ubisoft, CEO Yves Guillemot issued a video statement apologizing to people harmed by employee behavior. He said the company had removed or sanctioned employees who violated its values and was working to improve its systems and processes. The statement addressed the employee abuse scandal and was reported alongside the Elite Squad controversy.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot issued a video statement apologizing to people harmed by employee behavior and said the company had removed or sanctioned employees who violated its values and was working to improve its systems and processes.
Stated objective. Rebuild trust and ensure everyone at Ubisoft feels welcome, respected, and safe.
Company response
Apology — Ubisoft
I am truly sorry to everyone who was hurt
Personnel action — Ubisoft
We have taken significant steps to remove or sanction those who violated our values and code of conduct.
Remediation — Ubisoft
And we are working hard to improve our systems and processes.
Source excerpt
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot released a video statement today addressing the company's recent abuse scandal
I am truly sorry to everyone who was hurt
We have taken significant steps to remove or sanction those who violated our values and code of conduct. And we are working hard to improve our systems and processes.
2020
Ubisoft apologises over ableist language in Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Company response
Ubisoft apologised after criticism of a character description in Assassin's Creed Valhalla. The company said the language unintentionally reinforced ableism and stated that it would remove the language in an upcoming update. The apology followed criticism of the character description in the game.
Company response
Apology — Ubisoft
Ubisoft replied on Twitter, apologising for "unintentionally reinforcing ableism through this language,"
Remediation — Ubisoft
and said it will remove it in an upcoming update.
Source excerpt
Craven said on Twitter that it is important to address such language, adding that it is "unacceptable to talk about facial differences this way."
Ubisoft apologised for using ableist language in Assassin's Creed Valhalla.
Ubisoft replied on Twitter, apologising for "unintentionally reinforcing ableism through this language," and said it will remove it in an upcoming update.
2020
Ubisoft Japan apologizes over handling of Valhalla censorship information
Company response
Ubisoft Japan apologized for not informing the public beforehand that the Japanese Ubisoft Store had sold a version of Assassin's Creed Valhalla that had not been rated by CERO. Ubisoft said human error in checking the information flow led to an assassination scene being omitted from the list of censorship changes; it promised to improve its internal organization and provide accurate information.
Company response
Apology — Ubisoft Japan
Ubisoft Japan published a new apology for issues caused by its mishandling of the censorship of the Japanese release of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on its official blog.
Remediation — Ubisoft
The company promised to improve its internal organization while making sure to deliver accurate and correct information to the public.
Source excerpt
It explained that human error in checking the flow of information caused the assassination scene to be omitted from the list of censorships made to the Japanese release.
Ubisoft Japan published a new apology for issues caused by its mishandling of the censorship of the Japanese release of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla on its official blog.
2013
Account network breach
Ubisoft disclosed unauthorized access that may have exposed usernames, email addresses, and encrypted passwords. The company said payment-card information was not compromised, but advised account holders to change passwords.