The anti-discrimination lawsuit the state of California filed against Activision Blizzard in July has only grown more serious over time, with allegations of harassment and worker intimidation related to unfair labor practices. So much has happened since the suit was brought forward that it can be difficult identifying the various pieces and the implications it has for the company–and its workers and ex-workers. Below we try to give a brief timeline of the lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, tracking the beginning through to its more recent developments, including an investigation by the SEC.
We’ll continue to update this post with further developments as the situation progresses.
California Sues Activision Blizzard
Things kicked off on July 21. The California Department of Fair Housing and Employment (“DFEH”) filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, alleging that the company “fostered a sexist culture” in which women were paid far less than men and people of color experienced instances of discrimination. The suit goes on to say that sexism has “plagued the male-dominated gaming industry for decades,” and brings forth this legal action to “remedy, prevent, and deter” Activision Blizzard from violating California’s civil rights and equal pay laws. Within the lawsuit are some salary breakdowns of the highest-paid executives at the company to illustrate the vast pay disparities, as well as examples of harassment that employees reportedly faced.
Not long after the suit was filed, Activision Blizzard responded to and dismissed the accusations, saying the “DFEH includes distorted, and in many cases false, descriptions of Blizzard’s past.”
- Further reading:
- CNN on why the Activision Blizzard lawsuit could be a watershed moment for the games industry and the tech world at large
Activision Blizzard Executives Respond–And Apologize
In the wake of the lawsuit, Activision Blizzard executives–from president J. Allen Brack (more on that later) to a former World of Warcraft designer and others–have addressed the allegations and apologized for the company’s initial statement, their complicity in workplace behavior, or both.
- Further reading:
- Blizzard co-founder and Diablo co-creator respond to lawsuit
Games Industry Employees Protest “Frat Boy” Workplace Culture
Thousands of Activision Blizzard employees signed an open letter condemning how the company responded to the lawsuit. And to take that criticism further, workers staged a massive walkout on July 28 to protest what they called an “abhorrent and insulting” response from the publisher. In solidarity with Activision Blizzard employees, Ubisoft workers penned a letter to their publisher decrying the “frat boy” culture at Activision Blizzard and Ubisoft’s negligence to make substantial changes amid its own allegations. In response to criticism over one of Activision Blizzard’s initial statement, CEO Bobby Kotick issued an internal letter calling “tone deaf.”
- Further reading:
- Esports site Upcoming on-the-ground at the Activision Blizzard walkout
- GamesIndustry.Biz on employees not wanting Activision Blizzard’s law firm of choice
- Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot responds to employee letter promising better working conditions
Some Press And Streamers Stop Covering Activision Blizzard Games
Much like employees tired of the games industry’s rampant discriminatory and harassing behavior, a few media outlets and livestreamers have begun protesting Activision Blizzard in the wake of the lawsuit by no longer covering its games. This includes news sites The Gamer, GameXplain, and Prima Games, as well as World of Warcraft content creators (though their reasons are different).
- Further reading:
- PlayStation LifeStyle on the publications and streamers halting coverage
- World Of Warcraft developers “remove references that are not appropriate” in the game
Activision Blizzard Executives Bow Out Of Company
The lawsuit has rattled Activision Blizzard, with prominent leaders now leaving their positions at the company. Blizzard president J. Allen Brack has stepped down, putting Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra in charge as co-leaders. At the same time, Blizzard’s SVP of Global HR, Jesse Meschuk, has also left. According to a company earnings call, Activision Blizzard said it will “terminate any manager or leader” that impedes the business’s integrity. Though both Brack and Meschuk have left the company, it’s unclear whether Activision Blizzard terminated either executive.
- Further reading:
- Kotaku on Fran Townsend reportedly blocking people on Twitter then nukes it entirely
And Activision Blizzard Gets Sued Again
In the face of everything surrounding the Call of Duty and World of Warcraft company, Activision Blizzard is facing a separate class-action lawsuit. This one, filed by a shareholders, alleges that the company failed to notify them about the DFEH’s two-year investigation. The company’s stock has plunged since the lawsuit’s filing and the lawsuit seeks damages.
- Further reading:
- Kotaku on widespread harassment within the games industry
- Former Blizzard employee and ArenaNet and Undead Labs founder calls for unionization
Alleged Worker Intimidation
The controversies became great enough for federal government regulators to get involved, including the SEC with its own investigation. According to the Wall Street Journal, CEO Bobby Kotick–who has been at the company for about three decades–and several other executives were subpoenaed for files from six former employees and a variety of other documents. Prior to this, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing also accused the company of shredding evidence. Activision Blizzard denied this accusation.
- Further reading:
- Activision Blizzard Accused By California Of Shredding Abuse Evidence
- SEC Launches Investigation Into Activision Blizzard Over Handling Of Sexual Harassment, Discrimination Allegations
Activision Blizzard Says It’s Working With Regulators
Following the announcement of the investigation, Activision Blizzard responded by saying it will work with the regulatory agencies to address concerns. Bobby Kotick said the company is “deeply committed to making Activision Blizzard one of the best, most inclusive players to work anywhere.” Agencies the company is said to be working with include the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, and the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, which accused Activision Blizzard of shredding documents in the past. Several employees have apparently also been fired. Blizzard’s chief legal officer also left after three years, though there was no reason given for the exit.
- Further reading:
- Activision Blizzard Responds To SEC Investigation, Says It’s Making Changes
- Kotaku on Blizzard’s chief legal officer quitting
Source: Gamespot
