Ubisoft face potential suspended prison sentences of up to three years in sexual harassment trial

Three ex-Ubisoft bigwigs, Serge Hascoet, Thomas Francois, and Guillaume Patrux, are currently facing some heat in France. They've been slapped with charges of alleged psychological abuse, sexual harassment, and attempted sexual assault, all part of an ongoing trial in Bobigny.

This trial, seen as a game-changer in the male-dominated video game industry, has been brewing since 2020 after an investigation by Libération and Numerama shed light on the brutal work culture within Ubisoft - a company famous for games like Assassin's Creed and Far Cry. The unveiled truth was a nasty mix of harassment, humiliation, discriminatory comments, and sexual harassment that Ubisoft allegedly suffered for a good decade.

Testimonies from various sources have painted a grim picture of what went down behind closed doors at Ubisoft studios. During one such session, when Francois was grilled about an alleged sexual assault, he casually brushed it off, claiming he had "no recollection." Lawyers for the accusers labeled this whole thing as a testament to the "overly macho and juvenile culture" that reigned supreme at Ubisoft.

The trial has been a rollercoaster ride, with the public prosecutor demanding tough stints for the three defendants. Specifically, Serge Hascoet, the former No. 2, could be looking at an 18-month suspended prison sentence and a whopping €45,000 fine. Guillaume Patrux, the game designer, might be facing up to one year behind bars and a €10,000 fine. The former vice-president of the editorial department, Thomas Francois, could bag a three-year suspended sentence and a €30,000 fine.

The verdict is expected to be announced on July 2, 2025. Interestingly enough, during pre-trial statements, former CEO Yves Guillemot dismissed some accusations as mere "generational differences of opinion" and "creative friction."

This trial could've been a major step towards change, according to Marc Rutschlé, a union representative at Solidaires Informatique. However, he expressed disappointment that the trial fails to address the structural issues that allowed the harassment to thrive for so long. Many believe that Ubisoft's legal entity, CEO, and HR head should also face some consequences.

A trial is ongoing in France against three former top executives of Ubisoft - Serge Hascoët, Thomas Francois, and Guillaume Patrux - for charges of psychological abuse, sexual harassment, and attempted sexual assault.
The trial, seen as a landmark moment in the #MeToo movement within the video game industry, follows an investigation in 2020 that exposed a culture of harassment at Ubisoft, including psychological, sexist, and sexual harassment.
The prosecutor has asked for suspended prison sentences of up to three years and fines for the defendants.
Testimonies during the trial have highlighted the extreme forms of harassment faced by employees at Ubisoft, including being tied to a chair and subjected to constant inappropriate comments.
Defendants have variously denied the allegations and tried to justify their behavior by referencing "Ubi culture" and "geek culture."
The structural nature of harassment within Ubisoft has been a point of contention, with many accusing the company of allowing a toxic workplace culture to persist for years.
The trial has brought attention to the broader issues of workplace culture and harassment in the video game industry.
The verdict is expected on July 2, 2025, marking a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to address workplace harassment in the tech and gaming sectors.
This ongoing trial in France is a critical milestone in the #MeToo movement within the video game industry, focusing on three former Ubisoft ex-bigwigs, Serge Hascoet, Thomas Francois, and Guillaume Patrux, charged with psychological abuse, sexual harassment, and attempted sexual assault.
The trial's implications extend beyond the immediate legal proceedings, as it highlights the systemic issues of harassment within the video game industry, particularly at Ubisoft, and raises questions about the accountability of the company's higher-ups in addressing and preventing such behavior.