An Assassin's Creed level designer has claimed that Ubisoft has placed him on unpaid disciplinary leave after he spoke out publicly against the publisher's recently introduced requirement that staff return to the office full‑time.

According to reporting by Rock Paper Shotgun, the designer said the company cited an "alleged breach of the duty of loyalty" as the reason for the disciplinary action. The claim relates to the designer's public criticism of the new return‑to‑office (RTO) policy, which requires employees to work from company offices on a full‑time basis.

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The designer's account, as reported, states the leave is unpaid and was imposed as a disciplinary measure rather than a temporary administrative arrangement. The phrase "duty of loyalty" is commonly used by employers when asserting that employees must not act in ways that harm the company's legitimate interests; its invocation in disciplinary matters can cover public commentary perceived as damaging to the employer.

The move comes amid broader tensions across the games industry and other sectors over return‑to‑office mandates and remote working arrangements, which have prompted public debate among staff and management in recent years.

Rock Paper Shotgun reported the designer's claims; the publisher's comments were not included in that account. The story remains subject to further confirmation as additional information becomes available.

Source: Rock Paper Shotgun