Former Ubisoft bosses on trial in France over alleged harassment
Three former top executives from French video game giant Ubisoft, the maker of "Assassin's Creed" and "Far Cry", went on trial on Monday accused of psychologically and sexually harassing employees for nearly a decade.
The high-profile trial comes after years of controversy over the global gaming industry's treatment of women and minorities in both games and real life.
After staff took to social media to accuse the company of a toxic work culture and predatory behaviour by powerful managers, Ubisoft in 2020 launched a probe and announced the departure of several senior executives.
The executive shake-up at Ubisoft was hailed by some as a #Metoo moment in the male-dominated video game publishing industry, which has faced criticism in the past for the sexist and misogynistic characters and imagery often found in games.
Serge Hascoet, chief creative officer and the company's second-in-command, resigned, while Thomas Francois, vice-president of editorial and creative services, and another senior executive, Guillaume Patrux, were dismissed for serious misconduct.
All three men deny the claims.
Francois is the focus of the most damning testimonies, which have alleged systemic psychological and sexual harassment at the French giant located in the eastern Paris suburb of Montreuil.
Aged between 38 and 46 at the time of the events, Francois is alleged to have habitually watched pornographic films in the open-plan office and commented on the appearance of female employees, whom he routinely insulted.
Employees have complained of near daily public humiliation and hazing.
In addition to the accusations of sexual and psychological harassment, Francois is being prosecuted for an attempted sexual assault when he tried to forcibly kiss a young employee during a Christmas party as she was held by other colleagues.
According to an investigative report seen by AFP, Francois encouraged "his subordinates to act in the same way, using his influence and high hierarchical position within the company to this end."
Hascoet, 59, is accused of lewd behaviour and posing intrusive questions of a sexual nature, as well as racist comments and behaviour.
Following devastating jihadist assaults in Paris in 2015, he allegedly asked a Muslim employee if she agreed with the ideas of the Islamic State group.
The woman had her computer desktop background changed to images of bacon sandwiches and food placed on her desk during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.
The third defendant, former game director Patrux, 39, has been accused of psychological harassment.
Investigators have spoken to dozens of witnesses during the probe, but "many refused to file a complaint for fear of reactions from the video game community," according to the report seen by AFP.
amb-as/sjw/lth
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Dawn French ‘dismisses' Oct 7 Hamas attacks
Credit: X/@Dawn_French Dawn French has been accused of dismissing the Oct 7 Hamas attacks in Israel in a new social media video. The British comedian and actress, 67, posted a video of herself to X in which she appears to mimic Israel's supporters amid the military campaign in Gaza. In the video, published by French on the social media platform on Thursday, she says about the conflict in the Middle East: 'Complicated, no, but nuanced. But [the] bottom line is no.' She then goes on to mimic apparent defences of Israel's military campaign in neighbouring Gaza since the Hamas-led massacre in 2023, saying: ''Yeah but you know they did a bad thing to us'... Yeah, but no. ''But we want that land and there's a lot of history…'. No. 'These people are not even people, are they really?' No.' In response to the viral tweet, which has been viewed more than half a million times in the 24 hours since it was published, Tracy-Ann Oberman, the West End star and playwright, branded French's tone as 'mocking'. The Jewish actress, 58, reposted French's video and said: 'I am so saddened by this post. 'This mocking voice 'bad thing' of October 7 that Dawn (who I revere by the way) appears to be mocking involved the most horrific terrorist attack involving rape, sexual violence, burning alive child, mutilation and the taking of civilian hostages.' She added: 'Why would Dawn seem to deny that which has affected so many of us personally in the most painful way possible. 'I can mourn the horrors of the war in Gaza whilst also remembering the horrors of what started it. Is this how most of our industry feels now – Oct 7 was a 'little thing'? NO!' Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to Hamas's massacre on Oct 7 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed by the terror group and 251 others were taken hostage. There are now 56 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Israel said its expanded offensive in the Strip, named Operation Gideon's Chariot, will increase the chances of returning the missing. The Hamas-run health ministry that operates in Gaza has said that at least 54,000 people have been killed in the territory during the war. Hamas has rejected proposed ceasefire and hostage release deals that do not guarantee a full Israel withdrawal from the Strip and an end to the war. Other responses to French's post include the financier Ben Goldsmith, who has been a strong defender of Israel's response to the Hamas terrorist attacks. He remarked: 'Wow, this is really bad. Who knew.' Elsewhere, comedy writer and self-described 'champion of Jewish rights' Lee Kern wrote: 'What you sneeringly mock as a 'bad thing' included the grieving children I met in hospital whose friends and family had been murdered, kidnapped and raped and who themselves were coming to terms with their own life-altering injuries. 'It also includes the 1,200 people murdered and tortured on October 7th… you proactively broadcast – with misplaced pride – a wicked glee in your mockery and dismissal of Jewish suffering, pain and death.' In a subsequent post following the criticism by Oberman, French clarified that she did not mean to 'support the atrocities of Oct 7th'. Writing on X, she said: 'I do not say 'a little thing'. In NO WAY do I support the atrocities of Oct 7th. Of course not. Appalling. Horrific. 'But starving innocent children is not the answer. NO is the answer to ALL of it, Tracy.' French has been approached for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
Boss told cops to ‘keep an eye on' Muslim worker during prayer, MN suit says
A former employee of a Minnesota transportation agency said religious discrimination and retaliation forced him to leave his job, according to a lawsuit. The complaint — filed June 3 on behalf of Jihad Hamoud, a practicing Muslim — accuses regional planning agency Met Council of disciplining and humiliating him. It says that came after he reported faith-based discrimination, including one occasion where a supervisor directed police to 'keep an eye on' him while he prayed. A spokesperson for Met Council in Saint Paul told McClatchy News in a June 6 email they do not comment on ongoing litigation. 'With its power and resources, Met Council should be setting the standard for what an inclusive and respectful workplace looks like,' Naomi Martin, Hamoud's attorney, said in a June 5 news release. 'That starts with ensuring discrimination and retaliation have no place in its operations — especially by those in supervisory roles.' The lawsuit comes as the state of Minnesota continues to see increases in instances of anti-Muslim hate, attorneys said. Religious discrimination experiences According to the complaint, Hamoud was hired as a bus operator at the agency in 2010 and then transferred to facilities maintenance in 2019. He began recording his experiences after attorneys said he watched a Muslim co-worker experience retaliation by his supervisor. A supervisor made a negative comment directed at Muslim workers, blaming them for making a bathroom dirty during their prayer time, according to the complaint. When Hamoud told his supervisor Muslims are not allowed to pray in restrooms, he didn't apologize or correct his assumption, the complaint said. Hamoud also recorded multiple instances of discrimination with one janitor, according to the complaint. After reporting his experiences, Hamoud was placed on administrative leave, but the janitor continued working, attorneys said. Then, his managers told him to avoid the janitor when he got back to work, according to the complaint. But when Hamoud passed the janitor in a vehicle driven by another worker, his managers accused him of trying to intimidate the janitor, the complaint said. He was then told in a meeting with managers he would be placed on unpaid leave for five days, attorneys said. When he asked why he was being placed on leave, the managers did not say, according to the complaint. Hamoud was then escorted out of the office building by police, according to the complaint. 'This caused Hamoud great emotional distress, including feeling fearful, embarrassed, degraded, humiliated, disrespected, vilified, and discriminated against,' attorneys said. Despite ongoing emails to Met Council leadership after returning to work and continuing to experience religious discrimination, the agency didn't do anything to address it, according to the complaint. Hamoud resigned in May 2022 and filed a discrimination charge against the agency with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, according to the complaint. The commissioner concluded there was probable cause of retaliation and discrimination against Hamoud twice, in November and January, attorneys said. The complaint asks for monetary compensation for 'lost earnings and benefits, emotional distress, embarrassment, humiliation, and other compensatory damages.' Anti-Muslim discrimination in Minnesota For the past three years, Minnesota has led the country in reported attacks against mosques, according to a report by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. There were 15 recorded incidents targeting mosques in the state in 2024, three times higher than the next highest state for reported attacks, according to the report. Several acts of vandalism, intimidation and discrimination were also reported in the state, the report said.
Buzz Feed
3 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Blake Lively Gets Org Support Amid Justin Baldoni Trial
A spokesperson for Blake Lively issued a statement as the number of organizations submitting amicus briefs in support of her amid her legal battle with Justin Baldoni hit 19. In December, Blake sued her It Ends With Us co-star and director, as well as the studio Wayfarer and other parties, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation. Justin subsequently sued Blake, alleging defamation and extortion, among other things. Both parties have denied the allegations of the other. Before we get into the update, you might be wondering what an amicus brief is. It stems from the Latin phrase "friend of the court," which allows people who aren't parties in the case to submit documents of support, arguing that the impact of the case will also affect them. So, why are all these orgs issuing amicus briefs? Let's take one that's been signed by 14 women's and anti-violence organizations. In it, they argue, "The retaliatory defamation lawsuit instigated by the Wayfarer parties against Blake Livelyis another example of 'DARVO' tactics (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) in the post-#MeToo era where perpetrators of 'sexual violence,' in particular sexual harassment, attempt to silence their victims into submission." After a new brief was filed this week by Child USA, a nonprofit against child abuse, a spokesperson for Blake issued a statement to BuzzFeed that read, "19 leading survivors and organizations devoted to women's rights, children's rights and domestic violence have now signed onto four separate amicus briefs. All are united in opposing Justin Baldoni's attempt to dismantle a law designed to protect women who speak up—simply to protect himself." Justin's attorney has been reached for comment. "The latest briefs, filed by Child USA and Sanctuary for Families, add the voices of renowned nonprofits, victim advocates, and experts from around the world who are dedicated to safeguarding the rights and well-being of people who speak up," they continued. Justin has never been accused of child abuse. "Rather than defend his case on the facts, Baldoni is now contradicting years of his own public persona—abandoning the message of his #MeToo YouTube's, podcasts, TED Talks, and interviews, where he once upon a time urged men 'to listen to the women in your life…to hold their anguish and actually believe them, even if what they're saying is against you.' These women and organizations are sounding the alarm about his DARVO tactics, and the chilling effect they could have well beyond this case," the statement concluded. BuzzFeed has reached out to a representative for Justin for comment.
