An in-depth investigation into the working conditions at Brandoville Studios, an Indonesian studio that provided animation support for titles like Assassin’s Creed Shadows and The Last Of Us: Part I Remake, has yielded troubling findings.

Historically, Brandoville has garnered significant attention for its projects, but this recent report paints a concerning picture of workplace abuse. Documents and testimonies from former workers describe a toxic environment characterized by physical, mental, and financial exploitation.

One of the central figures in the unfolding story is Cherry Lai, who the report suggests is at the center of many disturbing practices reported by employees. Christa Sydney, a former employee, conveyed that her time at Brandoville was plagued by intimidation and cruel incidents. After questioning Ken Lai, the CEO, during a meeting, she claimed she faced unjust punishment but was later taken under Cherry’s wing after an intervention. This has raised questions about the ethical practices at the studio.

Furthermore, a colleague, Syifana Afianti, spoke out about extreme pressures during her pregnancy, implicating Cherry Lai in actions that led to a tragic loss for Afianti’s family.

In response to these accusations, Cherry Lai stated, “To me, my part of the story is not important, as long as my team are good and safe now,” which has only fueled further debate about accountability in the workplace.

Meanwhile, Ubisoft, the developer behind Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, expressed being “deeply troubled” by these reports, adding that they “strongly condemn all forms of abuse and our thoughts are with the affected employees.”

The situation at Brandoville remains an ongoing concern, with many awaiting further investigations and concrete changes for the affected employees and broader discussions on workplace ethics in the gaming industry.