Marc-Alexis Côté, the former head of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, has filed a lawsuit against Ubisoft following his unexpected departure from the company last year. The legal action centers on allegations that his exit was not voluntary but rather a forced removal disguised as a resignation.

Côté left Ubisoft in October, with the company stating at the time that he had chosen to leave. However, Côté disputes this account, claiming he was effectively pushed out. According to reports from Radio Canada, the lawsuit seeks 1.3 million Canadian dollars, which is approximately 698,000 British pounds. This compensation is intended to cover lost severance pay and damages for the emotional distress caused by the situation. Additionally, Côté is asking the court to have Ubisoft remove the non-compete clause that currently restricts him from working for competitors.

The Dispute Over His Role

The conflict apparently began when Ubisoft established a new subsidiary called Vantage Studios in partnership with Tencent. This new company was created to manage Ubisoft’s most valuable gaming properties, including Assassin’s Creed. Côté, who believed he was in charge of the franchise, soon discovered that Vantage Studios was hiring for a new position titled “Head of Franchises.” This role would have authority over him, effectively demoting him from his leadership position.

Côté alleges that Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot blocked his application for this new role. The reason given was that Côté was based in Canada rather than France. Instead, Côté was offered a different position as “Head of Production,” which he viewed as a step down. Following tense discussions, the company proposed that Côté lead a “Creative House” responsible for managing second-tier Ubisoft brands, a significant reduction from overseeing the flagship Assassin’s Creed series.

Feeling disoriented and anxious due to these events, Côté took a temporary break from work to reflect on the situation. During this period, Ubisoft management informed him that at the end of his two-week break, he would need to decide whether to accept the lower-ranking position. Côté considered this offer an “unacceptable demotion” and viewed it as a form of “disguised dismissal.” Consequently, he demanded severance pay in line with what he believed he was owed for being forced out.

Côté was scheduled to return to work on October 13th. However, the lawsuit states that Ubisoft instructed him not to come in while they formulated a response. Shortly after, the company publicly announced that Côté had left the company of his own accord to pursue new opportunities. The lawsuit claims this announcement was a strategic move by Ubisoft to avoid paying severance and to enforce the non-compete clause. At the time, Côté released an emotional statement clarifying that he did not walk away voluntarily but was asked to step aside.

Ubisoft has not yet issued a formal response to the lawsuit filing.

Côté’s Long Tenure at Ubisoft

Marc-Alexis Côté dedicated 20 years of his career to Ubisoft, with 15 of those years spent working on the Assassin’s Creed series. His journey with the franchise began as a lead level designer for Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood. He later served as the director for Assassin’s Creed III and led Ubisoft Quebec during the development of the Freedom Cry add-on for Black Flag and the main game Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. He was also the senior producer for Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.

In 2022, Côté was promoted to oversee the entire Assassin’s Creed franchise. He played a key role in rebooting the series and ushering in a new era, which began with the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows in March of last year. His departure marks a significant shift in the leadership of one of gaming’s most popular franchises.