Widespread sexual harassment allegations have rocked Activision Blizzard, with a California state agency filing a lawsuit against the publisher who alleges that women have faced “constant” harassment and discrimination in his Blizzard offices. On Friday, Blizzard co-founder and former chairman and CEO Mike Morhaime posted a statement took to Twitter to apologize for alleged employee behavior that occurred under his supervision.
“It’s all very disturbing and hard to read,” the statement begins. “I’m ashamed. I feel like everything I thought I stood for has faded away. Worse, but more importantly, real people have been harmed and some women have had terrible experiences.”
Morhaime claims that while he “went to great lengths to create an environment that was safe and welcoming for people of all genders and backgrounds” during his 28-year tenure, the lawsuit reveals the developer was “far from that goal.”
“Harassment and discrimination exist,” writes Morhaime. “They are prevalent in our industry. It is the responsibility of leadership to make sure all employees feel safe, supported and treated fairly, regardless of gender and background. It is the responsibility of leadership to end toxicity and bullying in any form, all over the world.” all levels of the company. To the women of Blizzard who experienced any of these things, I’m so sorry I failed you.”
In her conclusion, Morhaime apologizes again and calls on women to share their stories: “I realize these are just words, but I wanted to acknowledge the women who had horrible experiences. I listen to them, I believe them and I am very sorry. have let you down I want to hear your stories, if you’re willing to share them.”
Some former Blizzard employees found fault with Morhaime’s statement. Cher Scarlett, former software engineer at Blizzard, said he found it hard to believe that Morhaime did not know that “men in leadership are repeatedly excused for their behavior.”
Connie Griffith, a game developer who left Blizzard in 2011, answered to Morhaime’s tweet. “While I appreciate Mike, I also know there was no way you couldn’t have known how toxic (for example) the two Robs were,” he said. “I was there, I know you knew it at some lvl, but in the end you don’t care about us.”
Another former Blizzard developer, Kristin Wood-Page, published an excerpt from a letter she says she sent Morhaime on leaving Blizzard in 2018, when Morhaime was still president and CEO.
“As long as men in power behave in predatory ways towards women in the company, it will be impossible for women to feel truly comfortable, valued or safe,” part of the letter says. Wood-Page noted in a brief statement to Krypton Solid that the subject of her letter “parted ways with Blizzard shortly after I sent this letter.”
I wrote a letter to Mike Morhaime in 2018, after he left Blizzard and while he was still president and CEO. It read, in part: #ActivisionBlizzard #Blizzard pic.twitter.com/qpKIjKNLzgJuly 23, 2021
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Responses to the lawsuit of current Activision Blizzard executives have been confused, ranging from calling the allegations “disturbing” to “meritless.” On Friday, more than 20 current Blizzard employees publicly rejected the company’s statements and expressed solidarity with the women represented in the lawsuit. Some World of Warcraft players are organizing in-game protests and asking removal of game content the name of an alleged stalker.
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