2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tied to chairs, Sex jokes ...: Three former top executives of video game giant Ubisoft face sexual harassment charges
Three former Ubisoft executives are on trial in France for allegations of bullying and sexual harassment, with a French court hearing disturbing accounts from former employees, predominantly women, about a toxic workplace culture at the gaming giant's Paris headquarters during the 2010s, according to The Guardian. The accusations, reportedly described as 'extremely serious' by prosecutor Antoine Haushalter, include incidents of employees being tied to chairs, forced to perform handstands, subjected to sexual jokes, exposed to pornographic videos in the office, and enduring crude behavior, such as a boss farting in employees' faces. One woman reported a manager drawing a penis on her arm during a video call with senior leaders. The court case marks the gaming industry's first major #MeToo trial.
Who are the accused executives
The accused include Tommy Francois, 52, former Vice President of Editorial & Creative Services; Serge Hascoet, 59, former Chief Creative Officer; and Guillaume Patrux, 41, former Game Director. Ubisoft, known for blockbuster titles like Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Just Dance, was allegedly a 'Boys' Club' where such misconduct thrived, per The Guardian.
Francois faces charges of sexual harassment, bullying, and attempted sexual assault. The Guardian reported that he allegedly tied a female employee to a chair before sending her in an elevator to a random floor and forced a woman in a skirt to do handstands, leaving her terrified. At a 2015 office party, he reportedly attempted to kiss a woman while others restrained her; she escaped after shouting. Another woman accused Francois of grabbing her hair and attempting a forced kiss at a U.S. gaming event, showing her nude photos, and drawing on her arm during a video call. Ubisoft's HR allegedly dismissed her concerns, advising her not to escalate. Francois denies all allegations.
Hascoet is accused of bullying and sexual harassment, including making inappropriate sexual comments, such as telling a woman on a work trip she 'needed sex' in front of colleagues, and joking that a used tissue he handed to a female employee was 'worth gold at Ubisoft,' per The Guardian. He allegedly made sexual noises, forced assistants to run personal errands, and denies any intent to harass.
Patrux faces similar charges, accused of punching walls, pretending to strike employees, cracking a whip near faces, joking about an office shooting, and burning an employee's beard with a lighter, according to The Guardian. He also denies the allegations.
Verdict on July 2, what proscecutors want
Haushalter called the trial a pivotal moment for the gaming industry, amplified by the #MeToo movement, which empowered victims to speak out. He highlighted 'strong proof' of systemic mistreatment and requested suspended prison sentences of up to three years and fines for the trio. The court concluded hearings, with a verdict expected on July 2, 2025.
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