Ubisoft fires former creative director of "Assassin's Creed Valhalla"

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Ubisoft fires former creative director of "Assassin's Creed Valhalla"

Ashraf Ismail, former creative director of Assassin's Creed Valhalla, has been fired by Ubisoft following an investigation by an outside firm.

In June, Ismail left his position as creative director after being accused of sexual relations with a fan and lying about being married. Streamer Matronedea came forward on Twitter about their relationship, explaining that she had been dating him on and off for a year before learning he was married.

The publisher announced a few days later that it would launch an investigation into Ismail's conduct, as well as several other Ubisoft executives accused of abuse and misconduct; in an internal email obtained by Kotaku, Ubisoft told staff yesterday that his employment had been terminated. but provided no further information.

"After an investigation by an outside firm, it has been determined that Ashraf's employment at Ubisoft must be terminated. We are unable to provide further details regarding this confidential investigation."

Since Ubisoft began its investigation, several executives have been fired, while others have been laid off lamely. Earlier this month, Tommy Francois, Vice President of Editorial and Creative Services, left the company over his termination, and in July, Ubisoft's Chief Creative Officer Serge Hascoe, Managing Director of Ubisoft's Canadian studio Yannis Marat, and Cecile Cornet, director of global human resources, resigned, the company announced.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot promised a "structural shift" to address HR's failure to curb workplace abuse and inappropriate behavior, but shortly thereafter he evaded responsibility, implying that he was a victim because they had "betrayed trust."

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