Ex-Assassin’s Creed Boss Suing Ubisoft for CAD $1.3 Million, Alleges His ‘Disguised Dismissal’ Was to Avoid Severance Pay

Former Assassin’s Creed Executive Files Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit Against Ubisoft

A major legal battle is brewing behind the scenes of one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. Marc-Alexis Côté, the former creative heart of the Assassin’s Creed series, has launched a high-stakes lawsuit against Ubisoft, alleging a dramatic and unjust exit from the company he served for over two decades. The case centers on claims of a “disguised dismissal” and seeks substantial compensation, pulling back the curtain on internal corporate shifts that have left fans and industry observers questioning the stability of the franchise’s leadership.

The Core of the Legal Dispute

The lawsuit, seeking approximately $1.3 million CAD, was filed following Côté’s unexpected departure from Ubisoft in October of last year. Côté’s legal claim argues that his exit was not voluntary but was forced through an “unacceptable demotion” after a major corporate restructuring. This shake-up saw the Assassin’s Creed brand moved under a new Tencent-backed entity, Vantage Studios, a strategic shift for Ubisoft that has had significant internal repercussions.

A Sudden Departure and Corporate Restructuring

Côté’s exit shocked the development community, coming just weeks after the formation of Vantage Studios. Having been promoted to lead the entire Assassin’s Creed franchise in 2022 after working on numerous series hits, his departure was communicated to staff via an internal email emphasizing the need for Vantage’s leadership to be “aligned” with its goals. While it was reported that Côté was offered a role within the new Vantage leadership structure, he declined, setting the stage for the current legal conflict.

Key Allegations in the Lawsuit

The legal filing outlines a series of events that Côté claims led to his constructive dismissal:

• He was effectively replaced in early 2025 by Vantage Studios’ new leadership, Christophe Derennes and Charlie Guillemot (relatives of Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot).
• Later in the summer, he learned Vantage was seeking to hire a new head for the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
• Upon inquiring, he was allegedly told he was not suitable for the role and would not have the CEO’s support, partly because the position was to be based in France, not Canada where Côté works and where the franchise has historically been led.
• He was subsequently offered a diminished “Head of Production” role reporting to the new franchise head, or the chance to lead a separate business unit focused on other Ubisoft IPs.

These moves, the lawsuit contends, created an untenable work environment that forced his exit, equating to a dismissal without cause. This situation highlights the complex challenges of managing a flagship franchise like Assassin’s Creed during corporate transitions. For more on the franchise’s evolving direction, see {{INTERNAL_LINK:future of Assassin’s Creed}}.

What This Means for Assassin’s Creed and Ubisoft

This lawsuit throws a spotlight on the human and managerial impact of Ubisoft’s recent strategic pivots. The case raises questions about talent retention, corporate culture, and the future creative direction of the Assassin’s Creed series without one of its longest-serving visionaries. Legal disputes of this scale involving such a high-profile figure are rare in the gaming industry and could influence how executive contracts and restructuring processes are handled across the sector.

The outcome of this legal battle could have lasting implications for Ubisoft and its most valuable franchise. As the case develops, it serves as a stark reminder of the internal tensions that can arise even within the most successful gaming companies during periods of significant change. The future of the Assassin’s Creed brand, now under the Vantage Studios umbrella, will be watched closely by fans and analysts alike. For context on Ubisoft’s broader corporate strategy, explore {{INTERNAL_LINK:Ubisoft and Tencent partnership}}.