The trial of three former executives of the video game giant Ubisoft opened on March 10, 2025, at the Bobigny court, as allegations of systemic moral and sexual harassment against employees come to light. The proceedings are set to last through March 14, drawing attention back to the shocking revelations from the 2020 scandal.
This high-profile case features Serge Hascoët, former creative director who played a pivotal role at Ubisoft for twenty years; Tommy François, the former vice-president of the editorial service; and Guillaume Patrux, the previous game director. Their trials follow extensive testimonies and investigations launched after anonymous accusations surfaced on social media, particularly on Twitter (now known as X), and detailed reports published by Libération and Numérama.
The scandal first erupted publicly in July 2020, forcing Hascoët to resign amid calls for accountability from the gaming community. Both François and Patrux faced termination for gross misconduct shortly thereafter. Testimonies against François show particularly disturbing evidence. During the years of alleged abuse from January 2012 to July 2020, he is accused of maintaining a toxic workplace atmosphere where sexual and moral harassment thrived.
Witnesses recount alarming incidents, claiming François would play pornographic films in open spaces, surprise kiss female employees, and subject them to humiliations akin to hazing. For example, one incident cited involved forcing a new female employee to perform a headstand and tying others to chairs as part of his coercive behavior. He also stands accused of attempting to forcibly kiss another employee during a Christmas party, where several colleagues had to intervene to stop him.
The accusations against Hascoët are equally alarming. Witnesses claim he exhibited lewd behavior, making invasive comments and questions of sexual nature. Following the 2015 terrorist attacks, he reportedly asked one Muslim employee if she supported the ideology of the Islamic State group. Testimonies also remarked on how this same employee found unprofessional images, including sandwiches with bacon, on her computer screen during Ramadan, adding to the culture of disrespect.
Guillaume Patrux, aged 39, is also on trial related to charges of moral harassment. Witness accounts suggest he played along with the hostile environment primarily characterized by menacing interactions and overwhelming peer pressure, where many feared retaliation if they spoke out.
Despite the claims of systematic harassment, witnesses reported being too fearful to come forward during the internal investigations. Numerous individuals indicated feeling trapped within what they described as "a sect" mentality, where open communication was stifled, and accountability was non-existent. The haunting sentiment of regret among those who did not testify was palpable, as several expressed frustration over Human Resources' failure to act on numerous warnings presented to them.
Chakib Mataoui, a programmer at Ubisoft and union delegate for Solidaires Informatique, voiced strong criticism, emphasizing the company’s shared responsibility for the atmosphere generated under these executives and the negligence of higher-ups like CEO Yves Guillemot. Mataoui stated, "We believe the company has its share of responsibility... including Yves Guillemot as CEO. He was necessarily aware of everything happening within the company. He has failed and must answer to justice." Such sentiments echo throughout the union, indicating persistent discontent with how the organization is addressing these scandals.
Ubisoft has claimed it implemented several reforms following the scandal. Internal audits, harassment training, and the establishment of dedicated teams for employee relations were introduced, with independent partners being employed to preserve objectivity and anonymity during investigations. Yet, the Solidaires Informatique union argues these measures don't go far enough, pointing out continual systemic problems, managerial silence, and inability to adapt quickly to the industry's demands.
Overall, the cultural shift at Ubisoft is still heavily critiqued, with many employees questioning if real change is achievable. After the scandal, the company has also faced economic difficulties, struggling to maintain market presence and experiencing disappointing sales across several major releases, including high-profile titles like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and Skull & Bones.
Compounded by poor performance and pending release dates such as Assassin's Creed Shadows, now rescheduled to March 20, 2025, the future remains uncertain for Ubisoft, echoing the challenges it faces as it struggles with its identity and commitment to workforce safety.