An open letter signed by hundreds of former and current employees of Activision Blizzard has been written, addressing company executives’ response to a discrimination lawsuit filed by the state of California. The letter calls their response to the allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination “abhorrent and insulting.”
Earlier this month, Activision Blizzard, a game publisher most known for Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch, was presented with a lawsuit following a two-year investigation which states that the company violated California workplace regulations regarding gender discrimination.
Please note the following makes reference to sexual harassment and suicide as it pertains to the case.
The letter, written by unnamed members of Activision Blizzard's team, says the assertions made by the company creates an atmosphere that "disbelieves victims," making it harder for them to come forward and for abusers to be held accountable. The letter also casts doubt on the company's ability to "place employee safety above their own interests" and calls for Townsend to step down as Executive Sponsor of Activision-Blizzard-King Employee Women's Network. "We will not be silenced, we will not stand aside, and we will not give up until the company we love is a workplace we can all feel proud to be a part of again. We will be the change," reads the end of the letter. Activision Blizzard employees have also taken to Twitter to voice their concerns.
Allegations made against Activision Blizzard in the lawsuit include lower pay, fewer promotions, and more terminations for female employees, with women of color at the company being especially affected by systemic discrimination. Male employees reportedly spent much of their work days playing video games and pawning their responsibilities off onto their female coworkers, as well as openly making inappropriate comments, including jokes about rape. The abuse suffered by one female employee resulted in her taking her own life during a business trip after her supervisor brought sex toys and lubricant with him, which was preceded by a nude image of her being shared openly at a company party.
Activision Blizzard has steadfastly denied the accusations since they've come to light, issuing a public statement calling them “distorted” and “in many cases false.” Vice President of Activision Blizzard Fran Townsend called them “meritless and irresponsible” in an email and sent a letter to employees saying the allegations presented in the lawsuit are “factually incorrect, old, and out of context stories,” directly echoing the company’s statement.
A recent lawsuit stemming from sexual harassment at Ubisoft resulted in little change in the work culture at the French developer, but it is not yet clear what will happen in the case of Activision Blizzard. Given how massive the publisher is, if the case is ruled in favor of the state, it could potentially have a hand in breaking the cycle of sexism and sexual harassment the game industry. Hopefully, the company’s executives will listen to its fans and employees and decide to make a change for the better.