Hours after news broke that Activision Blizzard is being sued by the state of California for gender discrimination, Bungie issued a statement distancing itself from the allegations detailed in that legal action. In part, Bungie said that it is the responsibility of the people working for the developer that the type of behavior alleged in the suit is "not tolerated."
California is citing violations of the Fair Employment and Housing Act in the lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, saying the action is the result of a two-year investigation into claims made by former employees. While summing up the allegations as establishing a "frat boy culture" the list of wrongdoings the company is accused of carrying out is rather long but includes lower pay for female workers, as well as a longer and harder path to promotion. The state also claimed women were forced out of the company at an alarming rate over the years. Bungie, which first partnered with Activision Blizzard on Destiny and worked with the company for eight years before parting ways, seemingly issued the statement at least in part to make it clear it wasn't involved in the violations detailed in the lawsuit.
Bungie issued its statement in a long Twitter thread on Thursday evening, in part saying that employees at the company found the details of what was alleged to be difficult to read. The company added it has a "zero-tolerance" policy for the kind of culture that the lawsuit against Activision Blizzard claims was either encouraged or ignored.
The statement also made it clear Bungie believes the people who have come forward with claims that started the state's investigation. The Destiny 2 developer said there is nothing to gain from "reliving their trauma" and therefore the benefit of the doubt should be given to allegations such as these.
Bungie also admitted an understanding that while it does not actively support the kind of culture alleged to be formed at Activision Blizzard, the firm is not "perfect." The company also admitted that it can't claim there hasn't ever been incidents of harassment but if that kind of thing does happen, it won't be tolerated.
The Destiny 2 developer ended the statement by saying its goal is to continue to improve the working experience for everyone under its employ. The company also said that in the end, it wants to do its part to make sure that the gaming industry as a whole is more welcoming and inclusive than it currently seems to be.