Three former Ubisoft executives are convicted of sexual and psychological harassment – The Verge

🔍 Summary:

Three former Ubisoft executives, Serge Hascoet, Tommy Francois, and Guillaume Patrux, have been sentenced by a French court to suspended prison terms and fines for their involvement in sexual and psychological harassment at the video game company. The convictions are part of a broader investigation that began in 2020, following allegations that surfaced during the #metoo movement in the gaming industry.

Serge Hascoet, the former chief creative officer, was accused of making inappropriate sexual comments about a female employee. Tommy Francois, the former editorial vice president, faced charges of attempted sexual assault and sexual harassment after allegedly trying to forcefully kiss a female employee during a company party. Guillaume Patrux, a former game director, was reported to have engaged in aggressive behavior, including throwing furniture and drawing swastikas on a colleague’s notebook.

The scandal came to light when employees shared experiences of misconduct on social media, revealing a troubling culture at Ubisoft, known for major gaming titles like Far Cry and Assassin’s Creed. An internal survey highlighted that a significant portion of the workforce had witnessed or experienced misconduct, and many did not feel safe or respected at work.

Following the allegations, several executives, including Hascoet and Francois, either resigned or were dismissed. In 2023, French authorities arrested five former employees, including Hascoet and Francois, as part of the ongoing investigation. During the trial, Francois attributed his actions to the pervasive company culture at Ubisoft, which he claimed normalized such behavior. Ubisoft has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.

📌 Source: https://www.theverge.com/games/696996/ubisoft-me-too-former-executive-convictions