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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/jul/12/ubisoft-sexual-harassment-probe-claims-three-more-executives
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Ubisoft sexual harassment investigation claims three more executives | Ubisoft sexual harassment investigation claims three more executives |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Chief executive slams ‘toxic behaviours’ as unacceptable after employees denounce predatory conduct, leading to resignations | Chief executive slams ‘toxic behaviours’ as unacceptable after employees denounce predatory conduct, leading to resignations |
| The second most powerful executive at French gaming company Ubisoft is among more senior staff to have left the firm as it pursues an internal investigation into sexual harassment allegations. | The second most powerful executive at French gaming company Ubisoft is among more senior staff to have left the firm as it pursues an internal investigation into sexual harassment allegations. |
| Last month the company, one of the world’s largest video game publishers with a portfolio including Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, launched a probe after allegations of sexual misconduct were shared online. | Last month the company, one of the world’s largest video game publishers with a portfolio including Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, launched a probe after allegations of sexual misconduct were shared online. |
| Serge Hascoet, chief creative officer and the company’s second-in-command, has resigned, as has the human resources director, Cecile Cornet, and the managing director of the Canadian branch, Yannis Mallat, Ubisoft said on Sunday. | Serge Hascoet, chief creative officer and the company’s second-in-command, has resigned, as has the human resources director, Cecile Cornet, and the managing director of the Canadian branch, Yannis Mallat, Ubisoft said on Sunday. |
| “The recent allegations that have come to light in Canada against multiple employees make it impossible for [Mallat] to continue in this position,” it said. | “The recent allegations that have come to light in Canada against multiple employees make it impossible for [Mallat] to continue in this position,” it said. |
| Another two top executives left earlier in July after current and former employees used social media to denounce predatory behaviour by managers. | Another two top executives left earlier in July after current and former employees used social media to denounce predatory behaviour by managers. |
| “Ubisoft has fallen short in its obligation to guarantee a safe and inclusive workplace environment for its employees,” its chief executive and co-founder, Yves Guillemot, said. | “Ubisoft has fallen short in its obligation to guarantee a safe and inclusive workplace environment for its employees,” its chief executive and co-founder, Yves Guillemot, said. |
| “This is unacceptable as toxic behaviours are in direct contrast to values on which I have never compromised – and never will,” he said. | “This is unacceptable as toxic behaviours are in direct contrast to values on which I have never compromised – and never will,” he said. |
| He was “committed to implementing profound changes across the company to improve and strengthen our workplace culture”. | He was “committed to implementing profound changes across the company to improve and strengthen our workplace culture”. |
| Guillemot would take over Hascoet’s role temporarily as he oversaw a staffing overhaul. | Guillemot would take over Hascoet’s role temporarily as he oversaw a staffing overhaul. |
| Ubisoft has 18,000 employees worldwide and is the latest video game company to face sexual harassment allegations. | Ubisoft has 18,000 employees worldwide and is the latest video game company to face sexual harassment allegations. |
| The global game industry has been dogged by criticism over its treatment of women in both games and real life. | The global game industry has been dogged by criticism over its treatment of women in both games and real life. |
| This was encapsulated in the so-called “gamergate” controversy in 2014, which saw critics of the way women were depicted in games receive death and rape threats, prompting calls to reform the industry’s culture. |