Three former senior executives at Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game companies, have been found guilty of enabling a culture of sexual and psychological harassment in the workplace. The ruling comes from the court in Bobigny, near Paris, in a landmark trial linked to the #MeToo movement within the gaming industry.
The court heard testimonies describing Ubisoft’s Montreuil offices, east of Paris, between 2012 and 2020 as a toxic environment dominated by bullying and sexism. Former employees described the workplace as a “boys’ club above the law,” where harassment was widespread and left many women feeling terrified and dehumanized.
Thomas François, 52, who served as Ubisoft’s editorial vice-president, was convicted of sexual harassment, psychological harassment, and attempted sexual assault. He received a three-year suspended prison sentence and was fined €30,000 (£26,000). The court heard that François forced a female employee to do handstands and tied her to a chair, pushing it into a lift against her will. At a 2015 Christmas party, he allegedly attempted to kiss a colleague despite her resistance.
Serge Hascoët, 59, former chief creative officer and second-in-command at Ubisoft, was found guilty of psychological harassment and complicity in sexual harassment. He was given an 18-month suspended sentence and fined €45,000. Evidence included accounts of Hascoët humiliating female staff by handing them tissues he had used and making assistants perform personal tasks for him.
Guillaume Patrux, 41, a former game director, was convicted of psychological harassment. He was handed a 12-month suspended sentence and fined €10,000. The court heard he threatened colleagues with violent gestures, mimicked shootings, and played with fire dangerously close to coworkers.
The state prosecutor described the case as a “turning point” for the gaming world, highlighting systemic sexism within the industry. Ubisoft, a family-run company responsible for popular franchises such as Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry, has faced growing scrutiny over workplace culture in recent years.
All three executives denied intentionally harming staff. Hascoët’s lawyer has indicated the possibility of an appeal.
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