Ubisoft reckoning with its workplace culture continues, most recently with the firing of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla creative director Ashraf Ismail. According to Kotaku, Ismail was already on leave from the team following accusations that he’d abused his position at Ubisoft to prey on industry newbies, but Ubisoft Montreal made it official this week, announcing his firing to employees.
“Following an investigation by an external firm, it was determined that Ashraf’s employment with Ubisoft had to be terminated,” the company reportedly told staff. It gave no other details, citing a “confidential investigation.”
Ismail is just one of the Ubisoft leaders who’ve been ousted this summer after investigations relating to various allegations of sexual misconduct or harassment. Those include VP of editorial and creative services Tommy Francois, VP of editorial Maxime Béland, chief creative officer Serge Hascoët, Canadian studios managing director Yannis Mallat, HR director Cécile Cornet, and PR director Stone Chin. Ismail makes the seventh that we know of.
