Ubisoft is reportedly facing a major legal dispute involving one of the most recognizable names behind the modern Assassin’s Creed era.
Marc-Alexis Côté, a Ubisoft veteran with roughly two decades at the company and a long history tied to the Assassin’s Creed franchise, has filed a lawsuit in Quebec seeking approximately CAD $1.3 million in damages—an amount that translates to just under $1 million USD.
According to Radio-Canada, the complaint centers on constructive dismissal, with Côté alleging Ubisoft effectively forced him out after internal changes removed the authority and stability of his role.
Ubisoft framed his exit as a personal decision following a new role offer, but Côté has pushed back, arguing he was effectively demoted and left with no realistic option other than leaving.
What Role Did Vantage Studios Play in This Situation?
The dispute traces back to Ubisoft’s internal organizational shift, particularly the creation of Vantage Studios, an initiative reportedly backed by $1.25 billion in funding from Tencent and designed to house Ubisoft’s most valuable franchises, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six.
Under the prior structure, Côté reportedly had direct communication lines to Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot, and he had positioned himself as one of the key drivers of the franchise’s future after a major strategy reboot in 2022.
At the time, Côté publicly outlined plans to evolve Assassin’s Creed on two separate tracks, with one continuing the open-world RPG style established with Origins and another aimed at delivering a “fresh and different” experience often associated with the later-announced Hexe.
However, after Vantage was formed and leadership shifted to a new hierarchy reportedly overseen by North American studios lead Christophe Derennes and Charlie Guillemot, the CEO’s son, Côté claims his influence within Assassin’s Creed began to erode.
In the lawsuit, he reportedly argues that his authority was essentially diminished by this restructuring, transforming his leadership role from one of franchise control into something closer to a subordinate production position.
How Was Côté Allegedly Demoted?
According to the reporting and details attributed to the lawsuit, Ubisoft planned to introduce a “Head of Franchise” role that would oversee the publisher’s major intellectual properties, including Assassin’s Creed.
This new position allegedly would have sat above Côté’s existing responsibilities and effectively reduced him to answering to a higher authority—even though he had previously been responsible for guiding Ubisoft’s flagship franchise.
Complicating matters further, the “Head of Franchise” job was reportedly based in France rather than Quebec, meaning Côté claims he was not seriously considered for it unless he was willing to uproot his life and relocate internationally.
Instead, he was apparently offered a revised position described as “Head of Production,” as well as an alternative option involving an unclear “Creative House” role tied to a smaller franchise.
Côté reportedly felt the new roles didn’t match the scope, authority, or long-term stability of the position he’d been given, and he allegedly called the situation unacceptable—arguing it was constructive dismissal, not a career change.
What Did Marc-Alexis Côté Say After Ubisoft Announced His Exit?
When Ubisoft publicly announced his departure in October 2025, the situation escalated after Côté responded soon after on LinkedIn, implying he hadn’t simply walked away and that Ubisoft’s version of his exit wasn’t truthful.
He stressed that he remained in the role until he was told to step aside, comparing himself emotionally to the “captain” of the Assassin’s Creed ship who only leaves once everyone onboard is safe.
Even while describing the circumstances as painful and disorienting, he tried to sound diplomatic, at one point suggesting he held no resentment.
Still, his post made it clear he believed Ubisoft’s narrative was misleading, and the lawsuit now seems to confirm what he hinted at: he was pushed out due to restructuring, not by choice.
What Damages Is He Demanding from Ubisoft?
The damages being sought reportedly include the equivalent of two years of salary as well as around CAD $75,000 in moral damages, reflecting alleged harm beyond finances alone.
Côté is also reportedly asking the court to void his non-compete clause, which could otherwise limit what roles he can pursue next in the gaming industry—especially given his seniority and niche expertise.
The lawsuit comes at a notable moment for the franchise as well, arriving close to the one-year anniversary window of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, a title that had significant attention around its release.
While Côté defended the game publicly during periods of backlash and online ridicule, he ultimately left Ubisoft shortly afterward, making his departure feel abrupt to many observers in the industry.
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