In a shocking development, French police have arrested five former executives of Ubisoft, a prominent video game company, in connection with alleged sexual assault and harassment within the company. Among those arrested are Serge Hascoët, the former chief creative officer, and Tommy François, the former vice president of editorial and creative services.
These arrests come after a long investigation into the allegations, which gained momentum following a series of reports in the summer of 2020 that exposed abuse, misconduct, and power corruption within Ubisoft. CEO Yves Guillemot responded to these reports by initiating internal investigations and publishing the results of an employee survey that revealed widespread misconduct within the company.
Despite some executives being fired and others stepping down in the aftermath of these revelations, a 2021 report indicated that many Ubisoft employees were still dissatisfied with the company’s handling of the situation. This dissatisfaction eventually led to the filing of complaints with the police by the Paris-based Solidaires Informatique union and two victims in the summer of 2021, ultimately resulting in the recent arrests.
The case is currently being handled by the Bobigny district of Paris and is expected to shed light not only on individual instances of misconduct but also on systemic sexual violence within Ubisoft, according to the lawyer representing the plaintiffs. Ubisoft, on the other hand, has claimed to have no knowledge of the specific details shared and therefore cannot comment on the case.
As the investigation unfolds, it is unclear what the future holds for those involved. However, this ongoing case highlights the urgent need for accountability and changes within the gaming industry to address issues of sexual assault and harassment. The situation will be monitored closely, and any new developments will be reported accordingly.
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