Ubisoft is trying to stiff the Assassin's Creed boss out of his severance package. Marc-Alexis Côté slapped the publisher with a lawsuit demanding over a million dollars after management allegedly forced the veteran developer out. The filing accuses leadership of constructive dismissal while pretending the executive resigned voluntarily. That narrative contradicts the official corporate statement claiming the separation happened because he wanted to pursue fresh opportunities.
Trouble started when the corporation partnered with Tencent to form Vantage Studios. This new entity absorbed major franchises like Far Cry and Rainbow Six. Côté alleges that executives created a superior position that swallowed his responsibilities. They offered him a reduced role handling production or managing second-rate intellectual properties, which felt like a massive insult considering his tenure guarding the brotherhood.
He rejected the downgrade and took personal leave to process the situation. Upon returning, superiors reportedly instructed him to stay home. An internal memo immediately circulated declaring his choice to exit. The plaintiff argues this maneuver saved the company from paying termination benefits. He seeks two years of income plus moral damages and the removal of a non-compete clause.
This mess follows a pattern of suspicious exits. A Halifax branch shut down mere weeks after workers voted to unionize, prompting complaints to labor boards. Additionally, Julian Gerighty recently split from The Division team to join Battlefield Studios. While Massive Entertainment denied early whispers of that exit, the turnover rate among senior leadership definitely raises eyebrows.
Trouble started when the corporation partnered with Tencent to form Vantage Studios. This new entity absorbed major franchises like Far Cry and Rainbow Six. Côté alleges that executives created a superior position that swallowed his responsibilities. They offered him a reduced role handling production or managing second-rate intellectual properties, which felt like a massive insult considering his tenure guarding the brotherhood.
He rejected the downgrade and took personal leave to process the situation. Upon returning, superiors reportedly instructed him to stay home. An internal memo immediately circulated declaring his choice to exit. The plaintiff argues this maneuver saved the company from paying termination benefits. He seeks two years of income plus moral damages and the removal of a non-compete clause.
This mess follows a pattern of suspicious exits. A Halifax branch shut down mere weeks after workers voted to unionize, prompting complaints to labor boards. Additionally, Julian Gerighty recently split from The Division team to join Battlefield Studios. While Massive Entertainment denied early whispers of that exit, the turnover rate among senior leadership definitely raises eyebrows.
