Ex-Assassin’s Creed Executive Files $1.3M Lawsuit Against Ubisoft Over Alleged Constructive Dismissal

Ubisoft’s Leadership Shake-Up: Marc-Alexis Côté Files Lawsuit

In October 2025, following the announcement of Vantage Studios, a new Ubisoft subsidiary formed in collaboration with Tencent, significant changes unfolded within the company. This subsidiary is tasked with overseeing major franchises, including Assassin’s Creed, Rainbow Six, and Far Cry. During this period, Marc-Alexis Côté, the head of the Assassin’s Creed series, announced he was leaving Ubisoft. Although Ubisoft framed this exit as a voluntary decision on Côté’s part, he later clarified in a statement that he was actually asked to resign.

The situation has escalated, as Côté is now pursuing legal action against Ubisoft for a substantial sum of $1.3 million, claiming “constructive dismissal.”This lawsuit comes amid allegations that Ubisoft sought to sidestep severance obligations by mischaracterizing his departure.

Côté’s Tenure and Allegations

Côté dedicated nearly two decades to Ubisoft, predominantly focusing on the Assassin’s Creed franchise, spending the last three years as its lead. According to the lawsuit, discussions in the summer of 2025 revealed a new “head of franchise”position within Vantage Studios that would absorb many of Côté’s existing responsibilities. Instead of retaining his influential role, he was offered a “head of production”position that would severely limit his authority over the Assassin’s Creed series, diminishing his engagement in strategic partnerships, including those with Netflix, which is developing an Assassin’s Creed television show.

The lawsuit details how Côté was presented with a subordinate role that he perceived as a demotion. Feeling disoriented and anxious, he requested a brief leave to contemplate his future options. Upon his return, he recognized the proposed role as unacceptable and sought severance pay. Subsequently, Ubisoft instructed him not to return to work and publicly stated that he had “chosen to pursue a new path elsewhere, ”a narrative that raised eyebrows.

Details of the Lawsuit

Côté’s lawsuit accuses Ubisoft of intentionally misrepresenting his exit as voluntary to evade severance payment. He is seeking two years’ worth of salary and $75, 000 in moral damages, labeling the situation as an abuse of power and asserting it has harmed his professional reputation. The total claim reaches $1.3 million. Additionally, Côté is requesting that the court nullify his non-compete clause, thereby allowing him to explore new opportunities in the gaming industry.

Current Context of Ubisoft’s Challenges

Despite only having Côté’s perspective thus far, suspicions around Ubisoft’s dismissal practices have surfaced more than once in 2025. Earlier in the year, Ubisoft closed its Halifax studio, resulting in the layoffs of 71 employees, shortly after the majority of the workforce voted to unionize with CWA Canada. Ubisoft claims that the decision to shut down the studio preceded the union vote and was not influenced by it; however, this has spurred the CWA Canada to challenge the company’s narrative, demanding evidence to substantiate its claims.

As advocacy from CWA Canada grows, Ubisoft is reportedly reconsidering the severance packages for the laid-off workers, further intensified by revelations of the company receiving nearly $1 billion in tax incentives over the last five years in Halifax.

Recent Departures at Ubisoft

Interestingly, Marc-Alexis Côté is not the only high-ranking official to leave Ubisoft following the establishment of Vantage Studios. Julian Gerighty, the head of The Division franchise, announced his own departure just last week amid rumors that had circulated earlier. Unlike Côté’s case, Gerighty is transitioning to Battlefield Studios without the same contentious issues.

This wave of leadership changes at Ubisoft signifies broader challenges in the gaming industry, reflecting ongoing shifts in corporate strategies and workforce dynamics. As Côté’s legal battle unfolds, the gaming community and industry insiders alike keenly await Ubisoft’s next moves.

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