Three top Ubisoft employees have appeared in a French court, accused of harassing employees before their departure from the company almost five years ago.
The trio includes Serge Hascoet, Ubisoft’s previous chief creative officer and right-hand man to company boss Yves Guillemot, plus the former VP of editorial and creative services Tommy Francois, and Guillaume Patrux, a game designer and director.
All three deny sexually and psychologically harassing and humiliating employees during their tenures at the company, up until they resigned or were dismissed in 2020.
Details discussed during the court appearance this week (thanks, France24) include accusations of racist comments and behaviour by Hascoet, who allegedly asked a Muslim employee if she agreed with the Islamic State terrorist group in the wake of the 2015 Paris terrorist attack. It’s alleged that the same staff member had their computer desktop wallpaper changed to that of bacon, and had food placed on their desk during the fasting month of Ramadan.
A string of allegations concerning Francois includes him having regularly watched porn in the company’s open-plan office, kissing colleagues, and remarking on their appearance by calling them “ugly” or a “slut”. Francois specifically is accused of sexual assault for allegedly forcing himself on a young employee during a Christmas party. He also allegedly forced a young employee to perform a headstand while wearing a skirt.
Patrux, meanwhile, stands accused of psychological harassment.
The trial has now been adjourned until 2nd June after lawyers complained they had not been given long enough with the case’s documentation.
Eurogamer has contacted Ubisoft for comment.
