Former Ubisoft Executives Convicted of Harassment, Receive Suspended Sentences

A French court has handed down suspended prison sentences to three former Ubisoft executives, Thomas François, Serge Hascoët, and Guillaume Patrux, for their roles in perpetrating sexual and psychological harassment. The trial, which commenced in June, uncovered a plethora of evidence detailing the executives' mistreatment of Ubisoft employees. Testimonies from staff members portrayed the company's Paris office as being plagued by a culture of bullying and sexism. François, the former vice president of editorial and creative services, received a three-year suspended sentence and a fine of €30,000 for his involvement in sexual harassment, psychological harassment, and an attempted sexual assault. He departed Ubisoft in August 2020 amidst allegations of misconduct. Hascoët, the former chief creative officer, was found guilty of psychological harassment and complicity in sexual harassment, resulting in an 18-month suspended sentence and a €45,000 fine. Patrux, a former game designer, was given a 12-month suspended sentence and a €10,000 fine for psychological harassment. The lawyer for the affected parties, Maude Beckers, hailed the ruling as a significant decision with implications for the future, emphasizing that it underscores the importance of holding managers accountable for toxic behavior. The three executives were taken into custody in 2023, following a year-long investigation, and denied all charges.