Marc-Alexis Côté, the former head of Assassin's Creed, is taking legal action against Ubisoft, alleging a surprise and 'disguised dismissal'. Côté, who worked at Ubisoft for 20 years, with 15 of those dedicated to the Assassin's Creed franchise, claims he was pushed out of the company after a tense dispute over control of the franchise. The lawsuit seeks nearly £700,000 in damages, including lost severance pay and 'moral damages', and the lifting of a non-compete clause. The dispute began when Ubisoft formed Vantage Studios with Tencent, hiring for a new role that would effectively overrule Côté's authority. Ubisoft boss Yves Guillemot allegedly blocked Côté's application for the role, offering him a lower position instead. This led to a period of reflection for Côté, who felt 'disoriented, confused, and affected by anxiety'. Ubisoft management then informed him that he had to choose whether to accept the offered position, which he deemed an 'unacceptable demotion'. Côté demanded severance pay in accordance with his perceived dismissal, but Ubisoft suddenly announced his departure, claiming he left voluntarily to avoid paying severance and apply the non-compete clause. Côté's lawsuit highlights the tension between Ubisoft and its former leader, raising questions about the future of the Assassin's Creed franchise and the treatment of its key personnel.
