IT could not have come at a worse time. With the launch of the Upin & Ipin Universe Game set to be launched in just over a week (July 17), gaming forums are abuzz with news that retrenched staff of Streamline Studios (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd – the videogame development outfit – have not received their dues.

Likewise, with the second instalment of Ejen Ali breaking all sorts of box office record at home and abroad, one would have expected a pioneer in the local animation scene to be also generating plenty of pleasant headlines.

After all, that was what the Upin & Ipin Universe Game is supposed to do – a game changer.

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Instead, the creators of Upin & Ipin children’s animated television series – Les’ Copaque Production Sdn Bhd – has been described as a toxic workplace with a management that was aloof.

This was presumably Upin & Ipin fan rei image is not available (rest)’s (@peulreiii) reaction on X to another post highlighting the Streamline Media woes.

Les Copaque is also a VERY problematic company. Toxic workplace with their higher ups mostly hidung tinggi gila. Shit talks other local animations and even as far as threatening their employees if they speak highly of another. https://t.co/pIZSNytVI4

— rei (rest) (@peulreiiii) July 6, 2025

Editor’s Note: Les’ Copaque partnered with American online game developer, Streamline Studios in 2023 to create a console game based on the Upin & Ipin franchise, ie the Upin & Ipin Universe.

The crux of the matter is that gaming forums are abuzz with news of the disgruntlement among Streamline Studios’ ex-employees which soon reflect on Les’ Copaque.

That the post by rei image is not available (rest) has generated over 301.7K views at the time of writing is itself an indication that enough eyeballs are reading about alleged wrongdoings being perpetrated on employees of Les’ Copaque.

As one commenter rightly pointed out, the franchise was seemingly static while Ejen Ali: The Movie 2 (a film by Primeworks Studios and Wau Animation based on an animation series of the same name) was conquering new frontiers.

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That sentiment was echoed in another comment which observed that the brand did not forge ahead to do better content but has instead stagnated within its comfort zone.

Concern is raised that it could soon be overtaken by rivals. This comment though ignores the fact that the game itself is meant to up the ante significantly.

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This toxic work culture was cited by one commenter as a reason for the dip in quality in Upin & Ipin.

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While both Les’ Copaque and Streamline Studios may not be all-conquering as Ejen Ali 2 or even Mechamoto, it would do well to avoid such negative publicity on social media.

The consequence is a very negative perception about the organisations and which will ultimately hurt the product it is trying to sell.

The Upin & Ipin Universe Game is set to be officially launched on July 17. With the big date just days away, it could very well do with such negative publicity. – July 10, 2025

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Main image credit: #ZHAFVLOG (@zhafvlog)/X

The post Claims abound of animated high-flyer Upin & Ipin “trapped in toxic workplace culture, comfort zone” first appeared on Focus Malaysia.