Marc-Alexis Côté, the former Vice President and Executive Producer of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Ubisoft in Quebec, seeking approximately CAD $1.3 million (~MYR 4.8 million / ~USD $930,000) in damages. The suit, reported on January 16 by Radio-Canada, claims constructive dismissal following his exit from the company in October 2025.

Côté’s Long Tenure at Ubisoft

Côté spent over 20 years at Ubisoft, most recently overseeing the Assassin’s Creed franchise, a role he assumed in March 2022. In October 2025, Ubisoft announced his departure from leadership, stating that he had declined a position at its newly formed Vantage Studios. Vantage co-CEO Christophe Derennes expressed disappointment at the time. Côté countered this narrative on LinkedIn, writing, “I did not walk away. I stayed at my post until Ubisoft asked me to step aside,” while emphasizing he held “no resentment” regarding his exit.

The Lawsuit: Constructive Dismissal Allegations

According to court documents, Côté claims his departure was the result of being forced to choose between a significant demotion and leaving Ubisoft altogether. His filing seeks around two years’ worth of salary and CAD $75,000 (~MYR 277,000 / ~USD $54,000) in moral damages, arguing that the demotion constituted constructive dismissal under Canadian employment law. Additionally, he requests the removal of a non-compete clause, which he says restricts his future job prospects.

The Vantage Studios Restructuring

Côté’s demotion coincided with Ubisoft launching Vantage Studios, a joint venture with Tencent overseeing Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. Côté had been offered a role as head of production at Vantage, but not the head of franchise position, which was based in France rather than his home base in Quebec. Côté contends his influence “crumbled” after Vantage’s creation, leaving him with an “unacceptable” demotion. Ubisoft, for its part, positioned Vantage Studios as a hub to streamline decision-making, share resources, and provide teams greater autonomy over flagship projects.

Financial Implications and Tencent Investment

The creation of Vantage Studios also brought a major financial element, with Tencent investing €1.16 billion (~MYR 5.9 billion / ~USD $1.35 billion) for a 25% stake. Ubisoft retained creative control while securing a cash infusion to support its franchises and ensure a steady pipeline of multi-platform releases. The move came after a challenging period for Ubisoft, marked by underperforming high-budget projects such as Star Wars Outlaws.

Industry and Legal Implications

Côté’s lawsuit highlights the complexities of executive transitions and employment law within the video game industry. Constructive dismissal claims are rare in high-profile gaming cases, and the outcome could have implications for other executives navigating corporate restructures. The dispute also underscores how global restructuring initiatives, like Vantage Studios, can have unforeseen consequences on local leadership and staff.

What’s Next?

As the legal process unfolds, industry observers are watching closely for any developments. Ubisoft has yet to publicly comment on the lawsuit. For Côté, the case represents both a financial claim and a defense of his professional reputation following a two-decade career at the company.