Trigger warning: Sexual harassment
Apparently, sexism and misogyny are still present in the gaming scene, and the recent Activision Blizzard walkout speaks volumes on the issue.
On July 20, 2021, the state of California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) filed a suit against gaming studio Blizzard Entertainment and its parent company Activision Blizzard, detailing allegations of “frat boy” culture, “constant sexual harassment” and gender-based discrimination as reported by female workers in the company. Top executives of Activision Blizzard were said to be aware and/or involved in these allegations, causing a wave of reactions from the gaming community.
Known for the games series’ Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Crash Bandicoot, Overwatch, and Candy Crush Saga, Activistion Blizzard is a big name amongst video game holding companies.
The lawsuit, which had been reported in full by The Verge, detailed upsetting instances of women being victimized by “cube crawls” or drinking sprees by male employees, who subjected their female counterparts with unwarranted sexual advances. This so-called “frat boy” culture was also perpetuated by instances of male employees making derogatory rape jokes, other means of sexual harassment, and demeaning behavior—a male employee openly encouraged a junior to “buy” a prostitute to make his mood better.
One name stood out among the rest in the lawsuit filed by the DFEH, and not for a good reason.
Alex Afrasiabi, the former Senior Creative Director of World of Warcraft at Blizzard Entertainment, and a long-time developer of the game was said to engage in the despicable harassment of women during the company’s annual convention in a room they called the “Cosby suite”—a reference to previously convicted rapist Bill Cosby.
In a comprehensive investigation by Kotaku, Afrasiabi was said to hit on female employees, saying that “he wanted to marry them, attempting to kiss them, and putting his arms around them”. The complaint read that his actions were done in front of other male employees, which included supervisors who had to intervene and “pull him off” female employees.
A Blizz Con Developer panel held in 2010 was also brought back to light due to the rising issue, where Afrasiabi made sexist and misogynistic statements to a female fan who questioned the hyper-sexualization of some female characters in World of Warcraft.
Activision Blizzard had released an initial statement regarding the lawsuit, saying that the DFEH’s lawsuit was a “rushed and inaccurate report with distorted, and in many cases false, descriptions” of the company’s past”, which drew criticisms from its employees. In a letter addressing the initial statement and the concerns of Activision Blizzard’s employees, CEO Bobby Kotick said that the company’s initial response to the concerns raised were “tone deaf”, and that the company will be taking swift actions to ensure the safety of its workers.
“There is no place anywhere at our Company for discrimination, harassment, or unequal treatment of any kind,” says Kotick in a letter to his employees. Activision Blizzard’s CEO also mentioned that they would be removing any in-game content that is deemed inappropriate.
Activision Blizzard walkout organizers just released a statement in response to CEO Bobby Kotick's email to staff in which he described the company's response as "tone deaf" pic.twitter.com/64D7w8PhOL
— Megan Farokhmanesh (@Megan_Nicolett) July 28, 2021
While employees of the company applauded Kotick’s statement, others saw that it did not answer any of their demands: the end of forced arbitration for all employees, worker participation in oversight of hiring and promotion policies, the need for greater pay transparency to ensure equality, and employee selection of a third party to audit HR and other company processes.
In collective action along with their response to CEO Kotick’s letter, and in protest to the company’s response to charges of sexual harassment and discrimination, Activision Blizzard employees rallied outside their company on July 28, 2021, holding signs which read “send the frat boys back to school”, “women in the video game industry deserve a safe place to work”, “fight bad guys IN GAME, fight bad guys IRL”, and “NERF male privilege”.
Employees of Activision Blizzard also held a protest on social media using the hashtag #ActiBlizzWalkout for those who couldn’t attend the mass walkout, which drew in support from the video game industry and community.
Making sure ALL voices are heard today. #ActiBlizzWalkout #Warcraft pic.twitter.com/ije8aSZN1X
— MooMae (@moomae12) July 28, 2021
Thank you, everyone, for all the support today as we #ActiBlizzWalkout. It really means a lot. 💙
Please share your support with the hashtag, emoji, sharing our demands below, and donating to the charities below.
We want Blizzard to be an awesome place to work, for everyone. 💙 pic.twitter.com/vjWvN6oDHi
— 💙Celestalon✨🐉 #ActiBlizzWalkout (@Celestalon) July 28, 2021
Standing in Solidarity with all of those who demand change in an industry plagued far too long with a history of abusive and predatory work environments. Heartbroken and furious can’t begin to describe it. #ActiBlizzWalkout https://t.co/rlSHTHvKWn
— Matthew Mercer (@matthewmercer) July 29, 2021
Know there’s a *lot* going on today but I am on Blizzard Way at the employee walkout. The state of CA is suing Activision Blizzard for a pattern of pay/gender discrimination and sexual harassment. Employees found company’s response to the lawsuit “abhorrent.” pic.twitter.com/qEx59FiydS
— Jon peltz (@JonnyPeltz) July 28, 2021
┏┓
┃┃╱╲ In this
┃╱╱╲╲ house
╱╱╭╮╲╲ we love
▔▏┗┛▕▔ & appreciate
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everyone involved in the #ActiBlizzWalkout 💙
╱╱┏┳┓╭╮┏┳┓ ╲╲
▔▏┗┻┛┃┃┗┻┛▕▔— Catherine Litvaitis (@LitvacArt) July 28, 2021
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