Content warning: this article contains explicit references to sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse.
Xbox chief Phil Spencer is evaluating the company’s relationship with Activision following the allegations of misconduct, harassment, and abuse.
Over the last several months, allegations were made against Activision Blizzard regarding members of staff being harassed, abused, and assaulted. Furthermore, a report from the Wall Street Journal claimed that CEO Bobby Kotick not only knew of the allegations but also made efforts to cover them up.
It is also reported that Kotick even told the board of directors that he knew nothing of the allegations. Furthermore, in response to the allegations against Kotick, Activision claimed to have a “zero-tolerance” policy for workplace harassment. However, this policy did not extend to the CEO as the company allegedly had no evidence. Despite WSJ claiming otherwise.
The WSJ didn’t stop at Bobby Kotick either. Following an allegation of sexually assaulting a female employee in 2017, Treyarch co-studio head Dan Bunting resigned from the company.
Activision has “not done enough”
As a result of the allegations against Activision and some of its leading figures, a report from Bloomberg claimed to have obtained an email from PlayStation boss Jim Ryan.
The email in question was sent to his employees expressing his disappointment towards Activision. Ryan reportedly told employees that he is “disheartened and frankly stunned to read” that Activision “has not done enough to address a deep-seated culture of discrimination and harassment.”
Following on from Jim Ryan’s alleged email to employees, Xbox chief Phil Spencer is said to be “evaluating” his relationship with Activision Blizzard.
In another report from Bloomberg, Spencer sent his own email to employees stating that “this type of behaviour has no place in our industry”, and that he is “evaluating all aspects of [Xbox’s] relationship with Activision Blizzard and making ongoing proactive adjustments”.
We’ll keep you updated as this ongoing story develops.
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
Activision Blizzard protest organisers are urging supporters to use the hashtag #ActiBlizzWalkout and #EndAbuseInGaming, accompanied by a blue heart emoji. In addition, organisers have listed several charities if supporters wish to show financial support.
- Black Girls Code – https://www.blackgirlscode.com
- Futures without Violence – https://www.futureswithoutviolence.org
- Girls Who Code – https://girlswhocode.com
- RAINN – https://www.rainn.org
- Women In Animation – https://womeninanimation.org
- Women in Games International – https://www.getwigi.com
Featured Image Credit: E3/Microsoft