This past week California initiated a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, alleging widespread gender discrimination, sexism, and harassment against women. In the days since, Activision Blizzard itself and multiple executives at the organization have since not only issued public statements denying all allegations, but aggressively attacked the lawsuit itself. Now additional voices are joining the conversation, including Blizzard co-founder and ex-CEO Mike Morhaime. Morhaime is perhaps the first to directly apologize, saying, "I am extremely sorry that I failed you."
Morhaime's letter gets straight to the point. It starts with Morhaime explaining that he's read the entirety of California's complaint against Activision Blizzard, saying that it was "very disturbing and difficult to read." He goes on to say that he's "ashamed," and that, "everything I thought I stood for has been washed away." In explanation, he says that real people have been harmed and that women have had "terrible experiences" at Blizzard.
To characterize the situation, Morhaime was Blizzard's CEO for nearly 11 years and was Blizzard's president for nearly 10 years prior to that. He was at Blizzard for 28 years total and has become the CEO of a new studio, Dreamhaven, since. Some of the allegations included in California's lawsuit stem from events happening under Morhaime, which is perhaps why he felt the need to address the Activision Blizzard lawsuit so directly. There are certain to be employees at Dreamhaven unsettled about the topic, at the very least.
Further into Morhaime's statement, he acknowledges that it was his and Blizzard's leadership's responsibility to keep all employees safe, supported, and treated equitably. With that in mind, Morhaime says to the Blizzard women who experienced discrimination, sexism, and harassment, "I am extremely sorry that I failed you." He goes on to say that he knows these "are just words," but that he believes these women's accounts and is "sorry to have let you down."
In closing, Morhaime says that he "can and will" use his influence to "help drive positive change and to combat misogyny, discrimination, and harassment wherever I can." He says that he believes they can do better and that the gaming industry can be a place where "women and minorities are welcomed, included, supported, recognized, and rewarded, and ultimately unimpeded from the opportunity to make the types of contributions that all of us join this industry to make."
Morhaime's statement is the most strongly worded condemnation of the discrimination, sexism, and harassment alleged in California's lawsuit yet. Morhaime's position of power at Blizzard also lends the issue some legitimacy, particularly given the lack of responsibility taken among Activision Blizzard's current leadership. Morhaime isn't the only person to make strong statements regarding the lawsuit, however. Over 20 current Blizzard employees, as well as many ex-employees, have spoken. Regardless of California's lawsuit, this is an opportunity for individuals, companies like Activision Blizzard, and the video game industry to grow. Morhaime seems to be embracing that.