Activision Blizzard continues to face scrutiny for cruelty towards its workers and poor business decisions. One of its latest blunders covers both of these, as several employees were fired from Raven Software.
For those not in the know, Raven Software is the company that co-developed Call of Duty: Warzone alongside Infinity Ward, a game that has gone on to be one of Activision's biggest money makers in the mainstream gaming sphere. The employees fired were part of the QA team, the group entrusted with making sure Warzone continues to run smoothly, which most would agree is pretty important. This includes their fellow employees, who are showing solidarity through action.
Members of the Raven Software QA team announced that they are walking out in protest of their team members getting the axe, and that walkout is, as of this article, already in progress. The demands are simple and direct: that all the contractors, both still on the team and those already let go, be brought on with full-time positions. The Better ABK organization tweeted a followup, saying it stands with the employees as they protest their mistreatment. It's not relegated just to this team either, as the senior test analyst at Activision Blizzard left recently due to a toxic work environment.
Unlike said analyst however, it is imperative for many of these contractors that they retain their work with Raven Software. For one thing, many of them relocated to work the job, and without the financial support promised to them, keeping their new homes could be a big problem. This firing comes after months of being strung along with promises of increased pay which never came. In some cases, it also comes after being denied disability accomodations. The accusations, layoffs, and mistreatment have by now been revealed as Activision Blizzard staples in a company where the problems run all the way to its CEO.
Hopefully with A Better ABK's support the Raven Software employees can get their demands met, with those who were laid off being reinstated and everyone getting permanent positions. Though with Activision Blizzard's responsibility committee being formed from its own board members, that outcome is somewhat doubtful.
The future of Activision Blizzard is somewhat in doubt now, with multiple allegations levelled against the company and intense scrutiny both public and professional turned on its leaders. Multiple state treasurers are looking at Activision Blizzard's finances following its lawsuits, and there may soon be serious ramifications. Players and employees want to see things changed for the better, but it will still take a lot of action to get there.