Demotion disguised for dismissal: Former Assassin’s Creed franchise head files $1 million lawsuit against Ubisoft

Former Assassin's Creed franchise lead Marc-Alexis Cote has filed a lawsuit against Ubisoft. The ex-chief of Ubisoft’s popular action-adventure stealth series is seeking damages worth CAD $1.3 million (nearly $1 million) from the gaming studio, citing “constructive dismissal”. Cote was allegedly offered the role of 'head of production' instead, which would report to the incoming 'head of franchise', or to lead a 'creative house' for a more minor Ubisoft franchise. Côté declined both offers, describing them as an “unacceptable demotion” which was “disguised as a dismissal.”According to a report by CBC Radio-Canada (translated from French), the lawsuit alleges that during the formation of Tencent-backed subsidiary Vantage Studios last year, Ubisoft sought to hire a 'head of franchise' to oversee Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. Cote wasn't considered for the role because it was based in France, not Quebec, and he would only be eligible if he were willing to relocate, the lawsuit claimed.In October 2025, Ubisoft announced Cote had "voluntarily departed" from the company. He reportedly requested two years' severance pay and CAD $75,000 in damages after that. Later, in a post shared on the professional networking site LinkedIn, Cote clarified that he "did not make the choice" to leave Ubisoft, claiming the developer "decided to transfer the leadership of the Assassin's Creed franchise to someone else.""A different position was mentioned, but it did not carry the same scope, mandate, or continuity with the work I had been entrusted with in recent years," Cote wrote on LinkedIn. In the LinkedIn post that he shared after leaving Ubisoft, Cote wrote, “The past 24 hours have been deeply emotional.Reading all your public and private messages has reminded me of so many moments, people, and shared dreams from the past two decades.I have been archiving all of them, something to revisit one day when I am old, smiling at what we built together.From the messages of colleagues, friends, and fans, a recurring theme has emerged that I feel the need to clarify.Many of you have expressed surprise that I would choose to leave Assassin’s Creed after so many years, especially given the passion I still hold for it.The truth is simple: I did not make that choice.Ubisoft decided to transfer the leadership of the Assassin’s Creed franchise to someone closer to its new organisational structure.A different position was mentioned, but it did not carry the same scope, mandate, or continuity with the work I had been entrusted with in recent years.I want to be clear that I hold no resentment.Ubisoft has been my home for all my professional life, and I will always be grateful for the people, the projects, and the belief that together we could create worlds that inspire millions.But I also owe it to my teams, past and present, to say this plainly: I did not walk away.I stayed at my post until Ubisoft asked me to step aside.As someone who grew up inspired by Star Trek (TNG!), in the later years of my career I came to see myself as the captain of the Assassin’s Creed ship, someone who leaves only once every soul on board is safe.And that is exactly what I have done for as long as I could.Thank you again for your messages of support.They mean more to me than you can imagine.Nothing is true. Everything is permitted.”