Assassin's Creed creative director Ashraf Ismail fired from Ubisoft

Ashraf Ismail, creative director of several Assassin's Creed games, has been formally fired by Ubisoft following an investigation into allegations of misconduct.

Ubisoft Montreal colleagues were told the news yesterday via an internal email obtained by Kotaku.

"Following an investigation by an external firm, it was determined that Ashraf's employment with Ubisoft had to be terminated," the message read. "We cannot provide any details about this confidential investigation."

Ismail stepped down from his role as creative director of the upcoming Assassin's Creed Valhalla back in June following allegations about his personal life. Multiple women claimed Ismail had hidden the fact he was married while in relationships with them.

Several of these women alleged they had been contacted privately by Ismail after revealing they were fans of the Assassin's Creed franchise.

Some also claimed Ismail had discussed his work on the series with them, providing development details not released publicly. This hit the headlines more recently, as the Assassin's Creed franchise was rocked by claims Ubisoft had repeatedly downgraded or sidelined the possibility of a sole female protagonist (something which Ismail is alleged to have privately said was originally the case for Assassin's Creed Origins).

Ismail served as creative director for Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, Assassin's Creed Origins and the upcoming Assassin's Creed Valhalla.

His departure marks the latest in a line of high-profile figures to leave Ubisoft following a wave of sexual misconduct and assault allegations.

“As a result of investigations, Ashraf Ismail has been dismissed from Ubisoft and is no longer an employee," a Ubisoft spokesperson told Eurogamer.