Game Studio Faces Crunch and Abuse Allegations
In recent years, the gaming industry has been shaken by reports of toxic work environments and abusive practices. One such case involves Brandoville Studios, an Indonesian animation support studio known for its work on popular games like Assassin's Creed and The Last of Us. Allegations of a toxic workplace culture, including physical and verbal abuse, have surfaced, painting a troubling picture of the industry's darker side.
Alarming Allegations at Brandoville Studios
A report by People Make Games has highlighted serious allegations against Brandoville Studios. The studio, which has contributed to major AAA games, is accused of fostering a toxic workplace environment. These allegations include physical abuse, verbal harassment, and an unhealthy culture of crunch.
The Role of Cherry Lai
Cherry Lai, the wife of CEO Ken Lai, has been identified as a key figure in these allegations. Reports suggest she sent threatening messages, physically assaulted employees, and even encouraged self-harm as punishment for poor performance.
One victim, Christa Sydney, shared her harrowing experience, claiming she was slapped and strangled, leading to serious health issues. These revelations have sparked outrage on social media, especially in Indonesia.
Disturbing Practices Revealed
Additional reports reveal that employees were forced to participate in daily religious activities and adhere to strict dress codes. An ex-employee recounted being manipulated into giving up a portion of their salary to Lai.
Another former employee, Syifana Afiati, shared her story of being overworked during pregnancy, which resulted in the premature birth and subsequent death of her child. Despite her tragedy, she was pressured to return to work just a month after giving birth.
Current Developments
Brandoville Studios has since closed, but Ken and Cherry Lai attempted to start a new venture, LaiLai Studios. The status of this new company remains unclear.
Meanwhile, Jakarta police are actively searching for Cherry Lai, who is suspected to have fled to Hong Kong. The investigation into Brandoville continues, and the gaming community awaits further developments.
Industry Response
IGN US has reached out to major partners like Naughty Dog, Xbox, and Ubisoft for their comments on this situation. The gaming community is eager to hear their responses and see how the industry addresses these serious issues.
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