Mike Morhaime, co-founder and former CEO of Blizzard, spoke today about the state of California’s lawsuit against the Activision Blizzard for discrimination and harassment at work.
In a post on social media, Morhaime acknowledged the company’s problems and his own failures in leadership for not having created a safe environment for everyone. He also said he believes in the victims and has vowed to use his influence to make the gaming industry a better place.
Check it below:
“I read the entire statement against Activision Blizzard and many of the other stories. It’s all very disturbing and hard to read. I’m ashamed. Looks like everything I stood for has been erased. What’s worse and even more important is that people have been harmed and some women have had terrible experiences.”
According to Morhaime, during the 28 years he has been with the company, he has tried to create a safe environment for people of all genders and backgrounds. However, he claims that he did not know that he was so far from that goal.
He also recognizes that harassment and discrimination is something that happens a lot in this industry. Even so, it is the responsibility of each company’s leadership to create a safe environment in which everyone is treated equally and also to destroy any type of harassment and toxicity. “To all the women at Blizzard who have gone through this, I’m so sorry I failed you.”
And keeps going:
“I know these are just words, but I wanted to admit that women have had terrible experiences. I listen to you, I believe in you and I’m sorry I let you down. I want to hear your stories, if you’re willing to share them. As a leader in our industry, I can and will use my influence to help make positive change and fight misogyny, discrimination and harassment wherever I go. I believe we can do better, and I believe the gaming industry can be a place where women and minorities are welcomed, included, supported, recognized, rewarded and ultimately not deprived of opportunities to make the kind of contributions that we all go into this industry to do. I want the legacy I leave in this industry to be something we can all be proud of.”
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