Games Industry News and Discussion

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Regalingualius: Jan 7, 2012; We gazed into the eyes of madness... And all we found was horny.

Dick Burglar posted:

I imagine it's about playing the odds. Most sexpests probably get covered for by HR and successfully fly under the radar, so it's not worth risking "outing" yourself as harboring a sexpest when you can usually get away with it. But if you roll snake eyes, welp, you're in for a rough time.

The problem really starts when you�re constantly rolling a pair of dice for more than a couple of sexpests

# ? Oct 12, 2021 15:48

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# ? Apr 20, 2024 00:02

Clarste: Apr 15, 2013; Just how many mistakes have you suffered on the way here?

An uncountable number, to be sure.

The cat's already out of the bag though. They're past the point where they can make it go away by pretending it never happened yet they continue to try. Like, they've even changed names of characters in-game so who do they think they're fooling at this point?

# ? Oct 12, 2021 15:50

Rogue AI Goddess: May 10, 2012; I enjoy the sight of humans on their knees.
That was a joke... unless..?

Clarste posted:

The cat's already out of the bag though. They're past the point where they can make it go away by pretending it never happened yet they continue to try. Like, they've even changed names of characters in-game so who do they think they're fooling at this point?

https://twitter.com/duckvalentine/status/1430968914901667845

# ? Oct 12, 2021 16:08

Arsenic Lupin: Apr 12, 2012; This particularly rapid💨 unintelligible 😖patter💁 isn't generally heard🧏‍♂️, and if it is🤔, it doesn't matter💁.

Thing is, for Blizzard this has always worked before. They don't have anybody capable of imagining it won't work this time.

# ? Oct 12, 2021 16:52

Kanos: Sep 6, 2006; was there a time when speedwagon didn't get trolled

Arsenic Lupin posted:

Thing is, for Blizzard this has always worked before. They don't have anybody capable of imagining it won't work this time.

Yeah, from what we know this behavior goes back to the early days of the company and has never really been a problem before despite apparently being so endemic they had dudebros getting drunk and sexually harassing people in their cubicles during work hours. If you can get away with poo poo that blatant for so long, it's not hard to imagine someone thinking they can just keep getting away with it.

# ? Oct 12, 2021 17:05

Magmarashi: May 20, 2009

They're hoping to weather out whatever legal storm they have to and assuming, correctly I might add, that the majority of their customers won't give a poo poo by the time it's all over

# ? Oct 12, 2021 20:39

StratGoatCom: Aug 6, 2019; Our security is guaranteed by being able to melt the eyeballs of any other forum's denizens at 15 minutes notice

https://twitter.com/stjv_fr/status/1448319342727385088

# ? Oct 13, 2021 17:57

Pirate Jet: May 2, 2010

Speaking of French video games, the court has ruled against Quantic Dream on one of their lawsuits, about a woman who was targeted by pornographic drawings of her passed around the office. https://solidairesinformatique.org/2021/10/13/unfair-dismissal-quantic-dream-condemned-on-appeal/

# ? Oct 13, 2021 20:18

yook: Mar 11, 2001; YES, CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG IS ABSOLUTELY A KAIJU

I just wonder how many of these minor changes will turn out to be accidental confessions like the big cleavage painting of the woman they removed that turned out to be an intern that got sexually harassed and left the company years ago.

# ? Oct 14, 2021 17:33

External Organs: Mar 3, 2006; One time i prank called a bear buildin workshop and said I wanted my mamaws ashes put in a teddy from where she loved them things so well... The woman on the phone did not skip a beat. She just said, "Brang her on down here. We've did it before."

yook posted:

I just wonder how many of these minor changes will turn out to be accidental confessions like the big cleavage painting of the woman they removed that turned out to be an intern that got sexually harassed and left the company years ago.

Turns out the "big shoulderpad" era of games was all a coverup of evidence leading to the arrest of Hillary Clinton

# ? Oct 14, 2021 17:39

Rogue AI Goddess: May 10, 2012; I enjoy the sight of humans on their knees.
That was a joke... unless..?

yook posted:

I just wonder how many of these minor changes will turn out to be accidental confessions like the big cleavage painting of the woman they removed that turned out to be an intern that got sexually harassed and left the company years ago.

All of them.

# ? Oct 14, 2021 17:46

Moola: Aug 16, 2006

External Organs posted:

Turns out the "big shoulderpad" era of games was all a coverup of evidence leading to the arrest of Hillary Clinton

The shoulderpads were there to hide HR shrugging at the sex crimes

# ? Oct 14, 2021 18:25

Heran Bago: Aug 18, 2006

Was it seriously an erotic painting of an intern!?

# ? Oct 14, 2021 19:26

Zil: Jun 4, 2011; Satanically Summoned Citrus

Heran Bago posted:

Was it seriously an erotic painting of an intern!?

As erotic as early 2000's War3 engine would let them

as you can see it is now a nice fruit bowl.

# ? Oct 14, 2021 19:41

King Cohort: Mar 14, 2010

They changed that art internally a month ago, and this is the first I've heard of it being an intern since then. It and the other cleavage photo look like regular WoW women. Not that I disbelieve it, with how loving terrible Blizzard has been, but is there a source for this?

# ? Oct 14, 2021 19:43

Magmarashi: May 20, 2009

I think they were just asking the odds on that being the real story behind the pictures, not that it WAS

# ? Oct 14, 2021 20:12

The Moon Monster: Dec 30, 2005

That looks like they just posed a female human character model in its underwear and painted on some harem pants.

# ? Oct 14, 2021 21:57

yook: Mar 11, 2001; YES, CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG IS ABSOLUTELY A KAIJU

Magmarashi posted:

I think they were just asking the odds on that being the real story behind the pictures, not that it WAS

It was posted in the blizzlols thread a ways back. I thought there was a tweet attached or something, but it it looks like it was just something Cythereal posted based on what they saw other people posting, so I have no idea on the actual sourcing or veracity,.

I think it was also the portrait picture, not the one zils posted.

# ? Oct 15, 2021 07:53

Cythereal: Nov 8, 2009; I love the potoo,
and the potoo loves you.

yook posted:

It was posted in the blizzlols thread a ways back. I thought there was a tweet attached or something, but it it looks like it was just something Cythereal posted based on what they saw other people posting, so I have no idea on the actual sourcing or veracity,.

I think it was also the portrait picture, not the one zils posted.

Specifically, it got brought up by a couple of youtube streamers and reddit posters, who claimed that the person who told them this requested to remain anonymous. So, take that as you will.

# ? Oct 15, 2021 12:15

StratGoatCom: Aug 6, 2019; Our security is guaranteed by being able to melt the eyeballs of any other forum's denizens at 15 minutes notice

https://www.resetera.com/threads/de...ngement.501240/

Wow, if I didn't hate them already.

# ? Oct 18, 2021 02:43

Kortel: Jan 7, 2008; Nothing to see here.

StratGoatCom posted:

https://www.resetera.com/threads/de...ngement.501240/

Wow, if I didn't hate them already.

Honestly not surprising any more.

# ? Oct 18, 2021 14:15

Mokinokaro: Sep 11, 2001; At the end of everything, hold onto anything; Fun Shoe

Thankfully Denuvo seems to already be dying a slow death with less companies using them year after year.

I know it's wishful thinking but I hope backlash over this quickens that.

# ? Oct 19, 2021 04:48

StratGoatCom: Aug 6, 2019; Our security is guaranteed by being able to melt the eyeballs of any other forum's denizens at 15 minutes notice

Mokinokaro posted:

Thankfully Denuvo seems to already be dying a slow death with less companies using them year after year.

I know it's wishful thinking but I hope backlash over this quickens that.

That issue with Alder Lake may increase the rate of decline.

# ? Oct 19, 2021 05:05

sharknado slashfic: Jun 24, 2011

https://twitter.com/Wowhead/status/1453062521217118211

# ? Oct 26, 2021 19:39

Cythereal: Nov 8, 2009; I love the potoo,
and the potoo loves you.

sharknado slashfic posted:

https://twitter.com/Wowhead/status/1453062521217118211

# ? Oct 26, 2021 19:43

Poil: Mar 17, 2007

Hierarch, this lawsuit appears to be made out of pure solarite. We should collect more of them.

# ? Oct 26, 2021 20:17

Mayveena: Dec 27, 2006; People keep vandalizing my ID photo; I've lodged a complaint with HR

Bobby Kotick missive today

quote:

October 28, 2021 at 5:15 AM EDT
Download PDF
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 28, 2021-- Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) CEO Bobby Kotick today sent the following letter to all employees.

October 28, 2021

A few weeks ago, I reiterated our commitment to become the most welcoming, inclusive company in our industry. Today, I want to update you on some initial progress and important, additional steps we are taking to advance our commitment with greater impact, transparency, and urgency.

First, I want to offer my sincere gratitude for your continued focus and dedication to our players � and to each other. You�ve shown incredible resilience throughout the pandemic, exceptional care for colleagues and communities, and the relentless commitment to excellence, creative independence, and purpose that always sets our company � and our franchises � apart. During a tremendously challenging time for so many people, you�ve continued to bring joy and connection to our players and communities around the world.

My goal � and the goal of our Board, our entire senior corporate team, our business unit leaders, and their teams � is to make sure you have the resources, culture, and commitment from leadership you need to succeed in our collective aspiration to be the model workplace in our industry.

Over the last decade, as we�ve brought in new companies, grown our workforce, and expanded our business, we believed we had the systems, policies, and people in place to ensure that our company always lived up to its reputation as a great place to work. Clearly, in some vitally important aspects, we didn�t.

The guardrails weren�t in place everywhere to ensure that our values were being upheld. In some cases, people didn�t consistently feel comfortable reporting concerns, or their concerns weren�t always addressed promptly or properly. People were deeply let down and, for that, I am truly sorry.

Being welcoming and inclusive, in the context of our workplace, is crystal clear. We will still passionately debate ideas, employ healthy skepticism when appropriate, and demand excellence and rigor in all of our pursuits � but we will always treat each other with dignity and respect. And regardless of differences, voices will be heard, perspectives welcomed, and contributions valued.

We are a business fueled by passion and performance. These are cornerstones of our creative excellence but we must constantly recognize, embrace, and celebrate that the very best ideas, the most rigorous execution of those ideas, and ultimately our responsibility to our players and each other are best served by a culture that recognizes and respects that true excellence comes from diverse views, voices, and talents.

We�ve made progress over the last few years fostering that diversity and creating a better work environment � a commitment that has improved in scope and speed in recent months. We�ve tripled our investment in anti-harassment and anti-discrimination training; we�ve made meaningful organizational changes; and we�ve substantially increased resources for reporting and carefully investigating improper behavior.

The EEOC�s investigative process, public discussion on discrimination and harassment, and your reports and suggestions helped shine a light on practices we need to improve, policies that need to be strengthened, and resources we are now adding. The EEOC�s review was a catalyst to sharpen our focus on the ways we can become a company others emulate as a model for workplace excellence and one with an unwavering commitment to its values.

We have a lot more to do if we are to be the company that others emulate.

I want to share five new changes we are implementing, but recognize being a model for workplace excellence will be a dynamic process requiring additional changes and an unrelenting commitment to improvement.

We are launching a new zero-tolerance harassment policy company-wide � In the past, when we discovered and substantiated harassment, we terminated some employees and provided verbal or written warnings or different disciplinary actions to others. In retrospect, to achieve our goals for workplace excellence, this approach is no longer adequate. We need tougher rules and consistent monitoring across the entire company to make sure reports are being handled correctly and discipline is appropriate and swift.

As a result, we are implementing a zero-tolerance policy across Activision Blizzard that will be applied consistently. Our goal is to have the strictest harassment and non-retaliation policies of any employer, and we will continue to examine and tighten our standards to achieve this goal everywhere we do business.

Any Activision Blizzard employee found through our new investigative processes and resources to have retaliated against anyone for making a compliance complaint will be terminated immediately.

In many other instances of workplace misconduct, we will no longer rely on written warnings: termination will be the outcome, including in most cases of harassment based on any legally protected category.

Future employment contracts and equity awards will be clear: termination for these reasons will result in the immediate forfeiture of future compensation.

We also want to ensure that employees who file reports are encouraged, protected, and heard. For all reports of harassment and retaliation, we will investigate the allegation and whether the Activision Blizzard personnel who received the report of such behavior took the appropriate steps to protect the integrity of our compliance processes.

There may be some places around the world where local law may restrict some of these measures. In those cases, we will apply the highest permissible standards and the strongest possible discipline.
We will increase the percentage of women and non-binary people in our workforce by 50% and will invest $250 million to accelerate opportunities for diverse talent �Today, approximately 23% of our global employee population identifies as women or non-binary. Building on the success that King and other business units have achieved, we will seek to increase our percentage of women and non-binary professionals by approximately 50% � to more than one-third across the entire company � within the next five years and hopefully faster. Each franchise team, business unit, and functional area will be expected to have plans to help fulfill this ambition.

With respect to diversity, while we perform better than our peers with 30% of our U.S. workforce from diverse or under-represented communities, broadening this progress will continue to be a significant focus of mine as well as company, business unit, and franchise leadership.

To further this commitment, we�ll be investing an additional $250 million over the next 10 years in initiatives that foster expanded opportunities in gaming and technology for under-represented communities. This commitment includes inspiring diverse talent to pursue career opportunities in gaming through an ABK Academy that includes partnerships with colleges and technical schools serving under-represented communities, mentorships for participants, and a rotating apprenticeship program that leads to game development jobs, similar to the programs we began with the United Negro College Fund and Management Leadership for Tomorrow. We will also provide learning, development, and advanced degree opportunities for current employees to increase the number of women and those from under-represented communities in leadership positions across the company and in our industry.

In the coming months, Brian Bulatao, Julie Hodges, and I will share details about how we are operationalizing these goals and implementing and measuring this expanded investment.
Based on feedback from employees, we are waiving required arbitration of sexual harassment and discrimination claims � For any Activision Blizzard employee who chooses not to arbitrate an individual claim of sexual harassment, unlawful discrimination, or related retaliation arising in the future, the company will waive any obligation to do so.
We will continue to increase visibility on pay equity � As described in the recent note from our President, Daniel Alegre, and our Chief Administrative Officer, Brian Bulatao, the company continues to focus on pay equity for employees. In fact, our U.S. analysis showed that women at the company on average earned slightly more than men for comparable work in 2020. To ensure transparency on our continuing commitment to pay equity, we will report these results annually.
We will provide regular progress updates � We will be monitoring the progress of our business units, franchise teams, and functional leaders with respect to workplace initiatives and we will provide a status report quarterly. We also will be adding a dedicated focus on this vital work in our annual report to shareholders and in our annual ESG report with information on gender hiring, diversity hiring, and workplace progress.
Specifics on how these measures will be implemented and tracked will be forthcoming.

Lastly, I want to ensure that every available resource is being used in the service of becoming the industry leader in workplace excellence. Accordingly, I have asked our Board of Directors to reduce my total compensation until the Board has determined that we have achieved the transformational gender-related goals and other commitments described above. Specifically, I have asked the Board to reduce my pay to the lowest amount California law will allow for people earning a salary, which this year is $62,500. To be clear, this is a reduction in my overall compensation, not just my salary. I am asking not to receive any bonuses or be granted any equity during this time.

There�s a tendency when companies face challenging moments to lose sight of what makes them special, what makes them great. You are a truly special group of people who � through passion, conviction, drive, and determination � keep accomplishing extraordinary things. While the critical work ahead won�t be easy, I am confident our collective commitment to workplace excellence will be achieved.

I truly wish not a single employee had had an experience at work that resulted in hurt, humiliation, or worse � and to those who were affected, I sincerely apologize. You have my commitment that we will do everything possible to honor our values and create the workplace every member of this team deserves.

I am grateful for how much people care about this company, and I appreciate that many past and present employees have reached out with their thoughts, concerns, complaints, and suggestions. Your experiences, so courageously shared, serve as reason and reminder for why it is so important for us to do better. And we will.

With thanks and deepest gratitude,
Bobby

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We may, in some cases, use terms such as �predicts,� �believes,� �potential,� �proposed,� �continue,� �estimates,� �anticipates,� �expects,� �plans,� �intends,� �may,� �could,� �might,� �will,� �should� or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from the Company�s current expectations. These and other risks are described in the Company�s periodic reports, including the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at https://www.sec.gov. Any forward-looking statements that the Company makes in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

# ? Oct 28, 2021 18:18

TheLawinator: Apr 13, 2012; Competence on the battlefield is a myth. The side which screws up next to last wins, it's as simple as that.

So that's a cool 500 mil they had available lmao.

# ? Oct 28, 2021 19:22

SilentChaz: Oct 5, 2011; Sorry, I'm quite busy at the moment.

Former Blizzard developers start a studio where the only female staffer is a dog.

# ? Oct 28, 2021 23:31

Freakazoid_: Jul 5, 2013; Buglord

Can't be charged with harassment if you don't have any women to harass :smuggo:

# ? Oct 29, 2021 01:59

Stevefin: Sep 30, 2013

Bobby being paid min wage is nothing cause he has all the money already, and the other is he tends to be paid in shares/bonuses

# ? Oct 29, 2021 02:13

Mokinokaro: Sep 11, 2001; At the end of everything, hold onto anything; Fun Shoe

Ubisoft is getting into the crypto and nft scams, apparently

https://kotaku.com/ubisoft-is-getting-into-the-blockchain-grift-1847959381

# ? Oct 29, 2021 02:26

Double Bill: Jan 29, 2006

Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 delayed until 2023. So in 2022 Blizzard will be releasing... umm... Diablo Immortal? Shame they cancelled BlizzCon already, would've been fun to see them struggle to come up with anything to show.

# ? Nov 2, 2021 22:18

Campbell: Jun 7, 2000

Jen Oneal runs screaming from impossible task, or one she wasn't empowered to actually complete, and I don't think anyone can blame her.
https://venturebeat.com/2021/11/02/jen-oneal-leaves-blizzard-co-leader-role-mike-ybarra-becomes-sole-boss/

# ? Nov 2, 2021 22:26

Vandar: Sep 14, 2007; Isn't That Right, Chairman?

Double Bill posted:

Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 delayed until 2023. So in 2022 Blizzard will be releasing... umm... Diablo Immortal? Shame they cancelled BlizzCon already, would've been fun to see them struggle to come up with anything to show.

WoW might finally break the �new expansion every two years� pattern huh.

# ? Nov 2, 2021 22:42

Malloc Voidstar: May 7, 2007; Fuck the cowboys. Unf. Fuck em hard.

https://twitter.com/StarDotAmy/status/1455647258611908611
https://twitter.com/StarDotAmy/status/1455647261312970753

# ? Nov 3, 2021 00:47

webmeister: Jan 31, 2007; The answer is, mate, because I want to do you slowly. There has to be a bit of sport in this for all of us. In the psychological battle stakes, we are stripped down and ready to go. I want to see those ashen-faced performances; I want more of them. I want to be encouraged. I want to see you squirm.

Malloc Voidstar posted:

https://twitter.com/StarDotAmy/status/1455647258611908611
https://twitter.com/StarDotAmy/status/1455647261312970753

Gone already, what did they say?

# ? Nov 3, 2021 06:06

MarcusSA: Sep 23, 2007

webmeister posted:

Gone already, what did they say?

# ? Nov 3, 2021 06:25

webmeister: Jan 31, 2007; The answer is, mate, because I want to do you slowly. There has to be a bit of sport in this for all of us. In the psychological battle stakes, we are stripped down and ready to go. I want to see those ashen-faced performances; I want more of them. I want to be encouraged. I want to see you squirm.

Thanks! Seems like they�ve got tweet protection or whatever activated

# ? Nov 3, 2021 08:40

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# ? Apr 20, 2024 00:02

stev: Jan 22, 2013; Please be excited.

Double Bill posted:

Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 delayed until 2023. So in 2022 Blizzard will be releasing... umm... Diablo Immortal? Shame they cancelled BlizzCon already, would've been fun to see them struggle to come up with anything to show.

D4 was never coming out in 2022 was it? I got the impression that it was maybe a 2023/4 game.

# ? Nov 3, 2021 09:43

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