“Ubisoft does not tolerate any form of racism, bullying or harassment”
Ubisoft has banned Rainbow Six Siege content creator Thaqil after the developer learned the creator was uploading racist TikTok videos.
NME reported that it had viewed a series of TikToks, which have been deleted, where Thaqil was making racist comments about Castle, a black character in Rainbow Six Siege. NME contacted Ubisoft to make it aware of the situation, after which a spokesperson announced Thaqil has been sanctioned.
“Ubisoft does not tolerate any form of racism, bullying, or harassment”, the spokesperson shared. “We believe in providing positive and engaging entertainment experiences where everyone feels welcome, included, and celebrated”.
Sometimes I wonder if people even get vetted people …. @Rainbow6_UK pic.twitter.com/CFHF37NvPk
— Saskia (@Saskia_Cole) April 11, 2023
“Following an investigation, it has become clear that content creator Thaqil’s recent posts on social media are in breach of Ubisoft’s Code of Conduct”, the statement continued. “As a result, Thaqil will no longer be part of our content creators program and his charm will be removed from Rainbow Six Siege”.
Thaqil had created an in-game cosmetic that players could get by subscribing to the creator’s Twitch channel. But racism, besides being morally reprehensible and cowardly, also doesn’t pay, and Thaqil has been banned by Ubisoft with the developer/publisher warning on its website that “any actions that may negatively affect the R6S/Ubisoft brand” can lead to content creators being cut from the programme.
NME reported that one TikTok video created by Thaqil showed Castle as a Siege operator with a name beginning with N. In another video, Thaqil said he’d “avoid” Castle in a ‘Kiss, Marry, Avoid’ game and said, “I think it’s quite obvious, it’s because he’s black”. A third video showed Thaqil posing with a banana under Siege’s icon for Castle. In addition, another TikTok from the creator seems to imply sexual assault, NME reported, which TheGamer has corroborated.
On Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six Siege webpage for its Creators Program, the company lists opportunities for streamers and video makers who make content on YouTube and Twitch. “Powered by The Ubisoft Creators Program, the Rainbow Six Siege Creators Program is a unique personalized experience designed especially for passionate Rainbow Six Siege creators looking to work more closely with the Rainbow Six Siege team and grow their communities with us”, it says in the FAQ.
While those who are accepted get access to various opportunities, it is hoped that Ubisoft can do a better job of vetting its creators to ensure they’re not engaging in such negative behaviors.
