Former Assassin’s Creed Lead Sues Ubisoft for Constructive Dismissal
Marc-Alexis Côté, the former lead of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, has initiated legal proceedings against Ubisoft. His lawsuit cites “constructive dismissal” and seeks CAD $1.3 million in damages. This legal action follows Ubisoft’s announcement that Côté had “voluntarily departed” from the company in October.
Key Details of the Lawsuit
In his lawsuit, Côté claims he did not choose to leave Ubisoft. Instead, he alleges that the company transferred the franchise leadership role to another individual. On LinkedIn, he expressed that the offered alternative positions lacked the scope and continuity of his previous responsibilities.
Claims Against Ubisoft
- Côté was not considered for a new “head of franchise” role created amidst the establishment of Vantage Studios, a Tencent-affiliated company.
- The role was based in France, leading to eligibility issues due to his residence in Quebec.
- Instead, he was offered positions deemed undesirable, including “head of production” or to lead a smaller franchise.
He described these offers as “unacceptable demotion,” effectively a disguised dismissal. Following his rejection of these roles, Côté informed Ubisoft of his requirement for severance pay upon his departure.
Ubisoft’s Response
According to Côté, Ubisoft instructed him to wait for a formal reply. Subsequently, the company publicly declared that Côté had left on his own. He believes Ubisoft’s portrayal was a tactic to avoid severance payments and maintain the enforceability of his non-compete clause. Côté is requesting the court to lift this clause.
As of now, further information from both Ubisoft and Côté remains pending. GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to both parties for their comments on the lawsuit.
