What you need to know
- Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot shared a letter that has been sent to all of Ubisoft.
- The letter details Ubisoft's plan for changing its internal practices and promoting diversity.
- Ubisoft also reaffirms that it is investigating the ongoing allegations of sexual harrasment.
Ubisoft recently suspended two executives as part of its investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct that multiple employees have been accused of. Now, the company says it is taking a wider approach to changing its culture.
In a letter that the company says went out to employees earlier today, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot outlined a plan for improving Ubisoft's internal structure, promoting diversity and making it clear "inappropriate behavior" won't be tolerated.
To start, the Editorial Department, where the two executives were suspended from, and human resources divisions are being revised to "improve the accountability" of everyone involved, though specific details as to how this would be accomplished were not disclosed.
Guillemot has also appointed Lidwine Sauer, former Projects Director, to Head of Workplace Culture. Her new job will have her examine the company culture and spearhead changes. Employee listening sessions are being organized, as is a global employee survey and a new Head of Diversity and Inclusion, which has not been appointed yet.
Ubisoft also reaffirmed that it is investigating the current allegations. The company has also set up an alert platform that is being managed by a third-party, Whispli, allowing concerned employees to report harassment in an anonymous fashion.
Multiple Ubisoft employees were part of a recent wave of allegations that swept across the video game industry. Andrien "EscoBlades" Gbinigie, a brand marketing manager, and Stone Chin, who worked in public relations, are just two examples. Meanwhile, Ashraf Ismail, creative director of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, stepped down after multiple women came forward accusing him of infidelity and misuse of his influence.
Elsewhere in the industry, game developers and writers and streamers alike have also been named as abusers.
