HR doesn't exist to protect employees. It exists to protect the employers. Never *ever* forget that!

“These allegations of mental and physical abuse have been covered up by a multicultural team of various beliefs, sexual orientations and gender identities”

"Please dont speak about the children working at the sweatshop to produce cheap clothes, think about how that would hurt the hard work of all those talented designers"

As a victim of molestation, I cannot thank you enough Jim for covering this. Do not stop, these people need their stories heard and people need to be held accountable. Take care of yourself.

when sexual harrassment is so fundamentally burned into your company's corporative culture that it remains consistent throughout your continental-landmass-apart studios

when jim says "triple-A" without the voice, that's how you know he's well and truly *pissed*

Jim: "I've been pulling my punches all these years." Me: "Oh...oh no."

"Ubisoft, I'm not done with you yet." Oh my God Jim, that was the most ominous delivery I have heard in a long time. I have no doubt you mean to carry through with that. I will definitely be here for that! Because I haven't been following much of these things I wasn't aware of *all* of these issues. Sorry, so many hours in the day. But now that I am aware I'm no longer planning on buying the next AC game even at a discount. That's thanks to you boldly painting this picture of such ugliness behind the scenes.

The years-old joke is still true: Q: Why does EA keep winning Worst Corporation In America? A: Because Ubisoft is French.

Jim Sterling is like Cassandra from Greek myth, he keeps telling everyone the future, the truth and nobody believes him.

"I don't want to be welcome in that den of abusers." Beautifully said. They only blacklisted you because (no matter how much they don't want to admit it) you're right about them. They don't want to face that guilt of someone calling them out on their evil. Also, that guy's quote was absolutely disgusting. It's awful that people like that are often in power.

Wait... Let me get this straight. You worked for a company. Named "Defy Media". Which was a media company... who was afraid to _defy_ publishers? (pinches bridge of nose) Well, they certainly didn't go bust due to a lack of irony.

The sad thing about the whole 'there are good people at Ubisoft too!' angle is that good people aren't celebrated or properly rewarded ANYWAY. They may receive the odd (small) performance bonus, or a free copy of the game, but they're still overworked and underpaid. Those good people who DESERVE to be praised for their amazing hard work (looking at you, Assassin's Creed historical researchers and level designers) are overshadowed by VP bonuses and shitty managers taking credit for their work.

Had to go anonymous for this one. Let me just say that as someone who works in the industry, it is immensely difficult to constantly bite my tongue about these things. I want to yell it from the goddamn rooftops every single day since I became professionally involved with this industry. But I can guarantee you: They will find out - and if they do, you're gonna be in a lot of trouble. My specific company (one that constantly pops up on this channel btw) even asks their employees to give them any and all links to their social media accounts. It's mandatory. KZfaq, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, everything. Now while you don't have to open the profiles for everyone to read, it still is quite the message. And having professional contacts on any of these websites only adds to the paranoia and basically renders the "My profile is private" argument useless anyway. If I told you what upper management did to me as retaliation against voicing my opinions, it would make your skin crawl.

Jim: I'm going off script Me: Checks timestamp Me: Settles in

Gamers: "OMG that's horrible" Gamers 2 weeks later: preorders latest Ubisoft game. No matter what, they will continue doing what they do if we continue doing what they want.

13:19 - "the good people at Ubisoft were the victims of the bad people at Ubisoft." - Jim Sterling, 2020 Well said. The counter arguments to accountability have only gotten more ignorant.

Yay. Another scathing criticism of the gaming industry and its many predators. Don't change. Keep at them.

There's a reason he didn't end with "Thank God for me." He normally says that when he's done with a video or topic. But he has made it very clear; he isn't done. Not yet, not now, not soon. And I'm sure he'll let Ubisoft know when it is time to thank God for him.

I went to Montreal a while back to explore working with a certain developer that shall not be named. They spoke quite a lot about treating creators right, and being a healthy place to work. They asked me what kind of games media I watched. Phrased like that. I mentioned that I love Jim Sterling because he actually stands up for artists like me. They didn't like that answer AT ALL. A little while later, they revealed their actual professional/personal personality. It was quite the opposite of treating creators right, as it turns out. Doesn't seem like a coincidence...

Just a few things I want to post for anyone reading the comments that this video kind of glossed over. 1) Resignations are NEVER a sign of accountability and responsibility. In this context, they are UNIVERSALLY a quitter going "I don't want to clean up this mess, have fun." and hiding behind the excuse that they resigned in an attempt to dodge all further punishment. If anything was going to change they'd have been ARRESTED and replaced THAT way. Thus, a resignation is the polar opposite of a sign of change. It's a sign of a cover-up. It's a of sign stagnation and upholding the status quo. Whenever there's resignations over this kind of thing, you should OCTUPLE your scrutiny instead of relaxing it, because it PROVES, beyond a shadow of doubt, that things are only going to get WORSE. 2) Regarding people making the "but what about the people who worked hard on this game" argument: *They have already been PAID, and as proven by Randy Bitchford, even the studios that offer bonuses and royalties to compensate for low wages will try to cheat their way out of paying up what's owed.* Not buying a game on principle will NOT hurt them. And no, they won't get fired over poor sales, they would have been fired even if it was a rousing success; game studios mass lay off and rehire all the time even when having record years, as a cost saving measure to ensure more money flows to the top. Case in point, Activision's 800 lost jobs during a record-breaking year. Enough said. So at the end of the say... who's the "simp." here? 1)The ones actually thinking these things through rationally and deciding to use these events to narrow the selection of games we want, allowing us both the satisfaction of not paying for the rapey activities of rapists AND saving us money, thus being the perfect win/win scenario as a customer? 2) The simpletons who are too simpleminded to see beyond their desire to play a game and make up all kinds of excuses like the aforementioned thing about thinking of the people who worked hard on the game, which, as stated before, falls apart under even the tiniest bit of scrutiny? Enough said.

You said yourself these stories were out there and the media did nothing. They aided Ubisoft by keeping these stories buried. They ARE complicit in the damage and suffering and I AM mad at them as much as Ubisoft

Thank you for this video.

(Reads incomplete title “Ubisoft Spent Years Protecting Mental...”) Finally! A Triple-A company that values the mental health of its hard workers! (Notices “Jimquisition” in the thumbnail. Actually clicks on the video and sees the full title: “Ubisoft Spent Years Protecting Mental and Physical Abusers”) Good Lord in Heaven Above...

We ain’t thanking god for Jim today. We’re thanking god for those who’ve come forward to shed light on the abusers in the industry, today. May they have comfort and safety. And may justice rain upon those who did them harm and upon those who did or would hide that harm. May the current of justice flow and break their bodies upon the rocks. May they have not one moment of respite from the repercussions of their actions.

This makes me look at the Ubisoft logo in a totally new way. A downward spiral of abuse and disgusting behavior. Now that's ACTUALLY *Ubiconic*

I do worry that Ubisoft aren't unique in this: They're the ones who ultimately got caught. Many other big publishers have covered up this kind of thing in the past and no doubt will keep doing so until it becomes impossible for them to ignore it.

Gamers: We want the game industry to be taken seriously. Critics: Well, here's a couple of things that are wrong about the industry, many of which are the result of consumerism forcing us to turn a blind eye to them. Gamers: No but like... You know... Thinking that MGS 2 is deep and shit... Don't bring your politics into my games.

Ubisoft is trying so hard to appear as progressive and woke at their Ubisoft Forward Show, just to silence all the negative news about their company

Well, I get that you didn't want to finish with "Thank god for me" after talking about such an important matter - so I'm gonna say it: Thank god for you, Jim Sterling, for you and your coverage of all those uncomfortable truths.

"Oh, and Ubisoft? Im not finished with you yet." Chills. Git em.

People show the true nature when they have enough power to get away with misdeeds. Power does not corrupt, it just allows the existing corruption to manifest.

Should have been “Thank god for those who shared their stories.”

Honestly, i can't understand the argument that "talking about rapists in the industry soils the games", the fact that rapists and bad working enviroment exist in the industry is already soiling it pretty badly, besides that is kinda sad that Jim's good work is somewhat detrimental to his happiness

As someone with a slew of mental issues themselves, I empathize with the 'shouting into the void' feeling. You're not alone at being angry and upset at these sorts of things (even though I haven't, or known anyone that has, it still make me angry and upset.) Thank you for being the voice who isn't afraid to be heard, when other people can't use theirs. A quote I've heard that applies here; "If I've learned anything from video games, it's that when you meet enemies, it means you're going in the right direction."

You know Jim, I know you'll probably never read this and it probably won't matter even if you do... But your voice has reached me. I'm far more informed and educated than I ever would have been if you hadn't been bothering to make all these videos and Jimquisitions over the years. I'd have been almost totally ignorant of the "Triple A" industry abuses without you. So Jim Sterling, Thank God for You.

"The media should hold X to account" does not work in a world where all media is so dependent on ad money from the people they would be critiquing that they cannot afford to ever say anything critical without potentially risking going out of business. It's that simple, they ARE a marketing arm at this point. From IGN to the smaller ones, they are hanging on the corporate nipples suckling for every cent of banner ads and autoplaying videos. There's a reason i've stopped trusting ANY and all game reviews outside of truly independent solo youtube reviewers who are based on Patreon. If it has a corporate ad on it, it speaks the corporate's tongue. Simple. Fuck Ubisoft. Edit: And please support independent non-corporate game reviewers even if you have to wait longer for reviews to come out. My personal recommendations to anyone are SkillUp, AngryJoe, Laymen Gaming, Boomstick Gaming, Yong Yea, Girlfriend Reviews, UpIsNotJump and Shammy. Good mix of Gaming News, Reviews and sidesplitting laughter.

This is why I subbed to you recently. Reporting things as they are..no more..no less..and not backing down. Well done sir! Keep up the great work!

Hey Jim, looong time follower here, and I just want to say that I do appreciate that you're still doing this even after all this years, it's a real shame that the World really is this shitty and that corporations, all of them have that much power that they can pull off shit like this, and we need people like you, people that are willing to talk against them, even if you only talk about the games industry and stuff adjacent to it, it's just helpful that you teach people that this kind of shit is going on, hopefully with critical thinking they'll put together that it's not just those, but it's happening in all industries, as demonstrated by the #metoo Hollywood stuff. Keep going Jim, you're doing good work, even if it is painful to hear sometimes.

Instead of "thank god for me" "Thank god for those speaking out"

The access, the need to not piss off your corporate masters is throttling. I found myself covering these games but then constantly reminding the audience that Ubisoft protects rapists. Is that enough though? Should there just be a complete disassociation from Ubisoft at all? I'm not sure - I feel like other influences DO want to do the right thing....maybe it's like Jim said - let's cover the games and KEEP REMINDING THEM ABOUT THE RAPES!

Always a pleasure to see behind the curtain to a bit more of you, Jim. After all, while I'm here to hear your wonderful prose, I'm also very much here for the pure Jim. I always wondered why you left escapist.

I feel I can only echo Jim’s words of thank you to all those who have come out, anonymously or otherwise, with their stories. And a genuine thank you to you, Jim, for never giving up on what’s truly important. As a more casual gamer who isn’t very heavily involved in the industry, I know I can always turn to you to keep me informed about the absolute atrocities that happen.

"The Escapist, censored journalist after being paid off by rapists!" You can quote me on that.

I think it's time for Jim to talk to John Oliver and Co. Because if there's one thing Last Week Tonight is ever-loving good at and bring burning light onto horrors like what's been talked about here and making millions aware and similarly pissed off.

Thank you for your message of thanks at the end it means a lot and made me tearful. I didn't tell people for 8 years because I was too scared and I've seen some people be awful about people coming out and sharing their stories and accusing them of lying and the whole innocent until proven guilty thing and it hurts so much because it is terrifying telling people and then there are people who shut you down or don't care and just knowing some people care and understand how scary it is means a lot

They will be laughing about this together at their family dinner parties, how everyone is going nuts and they are still rolling in money. All of these scandals ruin very few people, most at the top are pretty much set for life no matter how much you insult them, but hey gotta make ourselves feel better right? It really sucks.

Jim actually puts it poignantly: Imagine being bleak because an accused rapist didn't invite you to their house party. The problem isn't that you didn't get invited by them - the problem is that you're desperate to get invited by them.

When he doesn't end by saying "Thank God for me", that's when you *know* shit's gotten real.

Holy shit Jim you're about to hit 1 million subscribers and I genuinely couldn't be any happier for someone to reach that milestone than you!! Been a subscriber since you had 300k and all the highs and lows. You've brought me closer to my friends thanks to us discussing your videos. I love you forever. Keep going hard you mad bastard you

The fact Jim is almost at a million subs really shows how independent gaming journalism is growing and that big companies won't get away with this shit forever

When Jim Sterling makes heavy allegations and tells everyone they can quote him on it, you know it's serious! Jim ain't no idiot who accuses anyone of any illegal practices without proof. Even if he claims he doesn't care anymore.

If this intro message wasn't hollow and hypocritical enough: "[...] This work of fiction was designed, developed, and produced by a multicultural team of various beliefs, sexual orientations and gender identities." - They should also add "these people were abused and coerced into the making of this triple-aaayyy videogame".

Just discovered you. Already an enormous fan. Some of the shit you're talking about brings me to fucking tears, and I had no idea. I'm just glad I've never been a big fan of the triple A games, as they have almost never brought anything truly new, innovative, or enjoyable to the table I couldn't get from independent developers. I know not all of them are squeaky clean either, and I'm certainly going to be doing more work in the future in researching even those creators before I tacitly endorse cultures of violent and non-violent abuse. This is such a serious topic and while it made me smile to hear that bit at the end, as I intensely admire the sass in it, and take this in no way as a complaint, but... Yeah, thank God for you, mate.

Probably one of your best videos to date, I'll definitely link to it every time some friends think of buying a Ubisoft game. And apart from that I'm very thankful for all your content and the way you out yourself on the line for the betterment of an industry that doesn't give anything back to you. But please, should you ever feel like this is weighting down on you too much, please take a break. Look out for yourself. Just take Justin do some fun stuff and turn off all social media and all this other shit and heal. I don't think anybody in your audience would mind that at all, quite the opposite. Sincerely and truly, thank God for you and thanks for everything so far!

If anyone is watching this on a computer download a copy for re-upload later when this gets taken down. I'm sure there will be PR people at Ubisoft running around like headless chickens trying to minimise the damage and reach of this video.

You know it's serious when "oh ubisoft" isn't at the start.

Thank you to all the amazingly brave people who have spoken up about their experiences with Ubisoft, and thank you to Jim for spreading the word and bringing this to people's attention. I am fucking disgusted by Ubisoft and all the abusers they have protected. Nothing will ever get better if we don't talk about what's happening. We need to keep talking, and hopefully things in games journalism will change. I send my support to anyone who has been hurt by Ubisoft's behavior. I'm so sorry you've had to put up with this shit for decades. And Jim, thank you for covering this. We need people like you, and I can promise that there are people listening.

You're an inspiration to all of us, Jim. Thank you for doing the work that you do. The world needs truth spoken to power and you've shown an incredible aptitude for doing just that. I hope that your health and wellness improves soon and that there will be more opportunities to support you in your endeavours. Warm wishes from Canada.

Need to start adding disclaimers to video game trailer. "Warning: Someone was likely raped as part the production of this title" or something similar. We need to constantly hammer home the absurdity of some of the allegations that are being ignored. Recently someone came out about abuses at the company I work, admittedly I didn't know the victim but I'm aware of the perpetrators, and they only did so because they were prompted by your videos, Jim. It's starting the have an impact. The more that come out, the more we talk about it, the more gets done. Keep it up sir.

he didn't say "Thank god for me" - that's how you can tell he is serious.

I really love your work ! You speak loudly of everything that all big heads in these kind of industries never let people talk about. I'm glad for what you're doing. You're making a important job right here. Showing the sad truth for every people who dream to work in those companies, or those who already are in. The fact that you concentrate so much energy to "protect" the people crafting one of my biggest passion (by that I mean the little hands, not big daddies who prefer corrupt everything, because money) fulfill me with hope. You're standing. Many, many thanks to you !

I think if a console maker basically said they were pulling a company's publishing license due to a scandal like this, you'd see these houses get cleaned up.

I've said before that Jim Sterling gets more and more done with the game industry and capitalism every week , but honestly they've earned the disgust and anger he throws at them so many times over. Thank the gods for Jim and thank them for the people brave enough to come forward

Welp... I was already on the fence about AC: Valhalla, Far Cry 6, and Watch_Dogs: Legion simply because they just looked like more of the same soulless, fun for ten hours then instantly forgotten game Ubisoft has been pumping out since Far Cry 4, but this seals the deal for me. It's funny, I've been begging for a new Prince of Persia, South Park, or Splinter Cell to be announced for years, but at this point unless we've see Ubisoft making steps towards positive changes in both their treatment of employees and business practices, I have no interest.

You are awesome Jim. Thanks for all you do ❤️

Thank you so much Jim for raising my awareness of this industry. I never knew. You've earned a sub and a supporter

Recently came forward against my manager for sexual assault, he was fired and I’ll never see him again! Messages like these need to be said, because I doubt I would’ve been taken seriously if I were a woman or my ex manager was someone with more power! Thanks for highlighting these issues 🤘

I think skipping the "Thank God for me" in this case was extremely tasteful and fitting given the subject. Keep calling out those who abuse power!

For 10 years, Jim being Jim. I have never been disappointed with any of his content and eventough I miss so collaborations I thank gOd for Jim for every video/podcast!

Just commenting and liking for the algorithm bump because this needs to spread however it can. Thanks for always uncovering the filthy underbelly of the game industry, Jim.

Jim, I’ve watched and listened to you for years. At first, I thought of you as a bit of a contrarian (Deadly Premonition review), but the longer I’ve followed you, the more I’ve jumped on board with your viewpoints. I’m starting to see you as one of the last sincere people covering the games industry in its entirety. I know when you heap praise, it’s well-deserved. And when you pile up scorn, it’s earned 10-fold. You’re a light in the darkness. The gaming industry is a toxic place in dire need of reform. Keep it up

Anyone who calls someone a "simp" for denouncing abuse within a company is not just indifferent and apathetic, they pretty much get off on the idea of women being abused in these companies and are the type of people who would gladly participate in such abuse, let's make no mistake here.

Great video, mate. Thank you for making it.

Heya. Was away from home for a few days, and all of this is a lot to take in. I just wanted to tell you that I can't describe to you how grateful to you I am for covering this at all, and even more for being a decent and moral person. I've actually been watching your show since you were on the escapist, and it has always been great. And as a longtime fan? I'm not even a little bit upset that you didn't do your usual signoff. If anything, it would have cheapened the message. You're good people, Jim. And we're glad to have you around.

I am going to wait a few years until Jim makes his own independent game journalists company of the scope of Kotaku where he hires all the people who want to actually talk about the game industry for what it is. I would read/watch the shit out of that

"...and you can quote me on that." I love you Jim

To anyone and everyone who has faced abuse: PLEASE SPEAK OUT. There are good people who care about you and want to help you. You DON'T need to be afraid. We will stand with you!

James Stephanie Sterling refusing to pull punches is a sight to behold. Thank God for JSS.

"But Jim, we just want to talk about games!" -inevitable corporate simps, probably You know what? So do I, as well as probably everyone here. I guess that's the price of having a conscience. My heart goes out to any victims who may be reading this.

Yikes, this is the reason I follow Jim Sterling. I dont always have time/capacity or dont always think to look into company backgrounds and behaviours myself, so I’m really grateful for these videos. I’m glad I haven’t bought/played ubisoft games in years and will continue to do so.

I still love you and your work, Jim. Thank you for the journalism you do. You're one of the few sources I trust!

Jim, I just want to say thank you for the work you do. It's really important to me personally and I greatly appreciate hearing what you have to say every week.

He didn’t say “Thank god for me” because he’s not finished yet.

Hey Jim, I can't imagine what wading into this shit does to the psyche, but I want you to know it's appreciated, and I stand with you.

Thanks for doing this stuff, Jim. I really hope that games journalism more widely is shamed into actually reporting this type of stuff and putting some pressure on the triple A games industry in particular, which is absolutely riddled with abusive bad actors.

they'll make a movie in a couple decades about how developers were rolling in so much micro-transaction money that their offices functioned like Wolf of Wall Street.

videos like this are extremely hard to watch, just knowing that people can get away with this kind of abuse is sickening, im just glad your able to get this info out there to people. hopefully more people are willing to look at the companies/creators that make the content they enjoy.

I now feel physically sick. I knew these companies were despicable, but this... This is a whole other level. At least it answers the question of whether Ubi has an HR department. They do, it's a self-serving HR department that'd rather protect the higher ups than look out for the victims. This is crazy! Law enforcement should be involved in this shit! Don't stop Jim, don't stop hammering them until they either stop this behaviour or burn to the ground. Preferably the latter. Also before Justin said anything, I was thinking that you know Jim is pissed off when he doesn't end the video with "Thank God for me."

You are doing great important work. Thank you for speaking out and producing the content you do. ✊🏾

Been watching your videos for a while and I always go to you to see what's happening in the industry. You're not shouting into a void, people hear you and we are behind you in calling out this bullshit. You're damn right it's a badge of honour not being invited into that world. If good people do nothing they have already won. Keep fighting the good fight. Thank God, for You, Jim. Keep.it up.

I’ve found that corporate HR departments almost always exist to protect the organization from the workers that are injured by the company in question and its representatives, and not to protect the workers from bad faith actors within the organization itself. This is more than just a trend or pattern, it’s a poorly kept secret rule.

You can remove rotten apples, but if the tree is dead and the soil is infertile and the air is toxic, nothing's going to fix the root issue.

Keep it up Jim, there's a lot of us out here with you listening and behind you 100% of the way.

Seriously though Jim, thank god for you, because you have and i'm sure always will try to shine a light on what is happening, and i thank you, and a lot of your audience thanks you for doing that.

Jim, you have been at this for years. And maybe with little effect on the AAA industry. But you have had a big effect on me, a consumer of videogames. So you have made a difference. Keep it up.

I'm commenting for no other reason for engagement to help the YT algorithm show this to more people.

*Ubisoft Executive Pepé Le Pew has resigned today amid various allegations of chasing a black and white cat around the offices.*

Thanks for keeping the pressure up Jim. We need these voices heard.

Keep pushing Jim. Even though there’s seemingly never a light at the end of the tunnel, the people who’ve been scarred will be forever grateful for someone like yourself going to bat regardless of the snail paced change in this games industry. This platform is capable of fantastic things, whilst tackling the most darkest of topics. Waking people up slowly but surely to what it is they’re actually consuming and that its not just wrong, but that it needs to stop. We need to stop this. Keep fighting Jim, for those who haven’t got the platform, or the courage, or the opportunity to speak up. Thank God, for Jim Sterling 💪🏿