Brandoville Studios Faces Disturbing Allegations of Workplace Abuse

by Annika January 7, 2025

A new report has uncovered shocking allegations of workplace abuse at Brandoville Studios, an Indonesian animation support studio. The studio, which has worked on popular games such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows and The Last of Us: Part I Remake, has been accused of mistreatment, physical and mental abuse, and even the death of an employee’s child. Screenshots and videos have surfaced, showing CEO Ken Lai’s wife, Cherry Lai, engaging in abusive behavior towards staff. The investigation by People Make Games reveals further disturbing details, including employees being pit against each other, forced participation in religious activities, and manipulation for financial gain. Brandoville Studios has since been shut down, and authorities are searching for Cherry Lai.

Brandoville Studios Faces Disturbing Allegations of Workplace Abuse

– Brandoville Studios, an Indonesian animation support studio that has worked on popular video games, is facing allegations of physical and psychological abuse towards its employees.
– CEO Ken Lai’s wife, Cherry Lai, is accused of instigating much of the abuse, including sending threatening messages, physically assaulting employees, and forcing self-harm as punishment.
– The allegations have been verified by multiple sources and investigations, leading to the closure of Brandoville Studios.

A recent report from People Make Games has revealed disturbing allegations of workplace abuse at Brandoville Studios, an Indonesian animation support studio that has worked on popular games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Age of Empires 4, and The Last of Us: Part I Remake. These allegations had first come to light in 2021, as part of a larger investigation into the outsourcing of crunch culture by Western AAA studios. However, the accusations gained renewed attention when they went viral on social media, exposing claims of ongoing physical, verbal, and mental abuse, as well as continued crunch at Brandoville.

TheGamer reported on these allegations in September of last year, highlighting CEO Ken Lai’s wife, Cherry Lai, as the person responsible for much of the studio’s abusive behavior. Screenshots and videos, both verified by TheGamer and shared publicly, provided evidence of Cherry Lai’s mistreatment of staff, which included sending threatening and insulting messages, berating and insulting employees, and even physically assaulting them. One employee, Christa Sydney, has bravely spoken out about her experiences, recounting instances of Lai slapping her head, choking her, pushing her down the stairs, and forcing her to harm herself as punishment. Sydney even sent a video to Lai of herself slapping her face a hundred times, under apparent duress.

People Make Games conducted a follow-up investigation, corroborating these claims and revealing further details. They uncovered testimonies from other employees, who described instances of Lai pitting staff against each other, coercing them into participating in Christian worship, and exerting control over their outfits. Additionally, one former employee alleged that Lai manipulated him into giving up a significant portion of his salary. Another former employee, Syifana Afiati, shared the heart-wrenching story of being overworked while pregnant, asked to work in the hospital, and forced to return to work just one month after giving birth. Tragically, Afiati’s child was born prematurely and passed away four months later. Even in the face of such a devastating loss, Lai strategically sought ways to avoid providing Afiati with the necessary support and benefits.

When reached for comment, Ken Lai did not respond to People Make Games, while Cherry Lai issued a statement dismissing her own story’s importance and expressing concern for the well-being of her team. Despite attempts by Ken and Cherry Lai to establish a new company, LaiLai Studios, with some former Brandoville employees, it remains uncertain if the company is currently operational or working on any projects. As of September, Jakarta police were actively searching for Cherry Lai as part of an investigation into Brandoville. Although Lai suggested she might have fled to Hong Kong, this information has yet to be confirmed.

In light of these disturbing revelations, IGN has reached out to Naughty Dog, Xbox, and Ubisoft for comment on their collaborations with Brandoville, seeking clarification on their standpoint regarding the studio’s alleged abusive practices. As the story continues to develop, further updates will be provided.

To conclude, the allegations of workplace abuse at Brandoville Studios have shed light on the deeply troubling reality faced by some employees in the gaming industry. The stories of abuse, mistreatment, and systemic issues like crunch culture demand attention and action. It is essential for both the industry and its stakeholders to prioritize the well-being and safety of all workers, ensuring that they are supported, respected, and protected.