On July 22, 2021, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, alleging that the company had created a "pervasive culture of harassment and discrimination" against women. The lawsuit paints a horrific picture of a workplace where women are routinely subjected to sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.
The lawsuit alleges that Activision Blizzard has failed to address these issues despite numerous complaints from employees. In fact, the DFEH alleges that the company has actually retaliated against employees who have spoken out about harassment and discrimination.
As a woman in the video game industry, I am all too familiar with the sexism and discrimination that women face on a daily basis. I have been subjected to sexual harassment and discrimination myself, and I know how difficult it can be to come forward. I am incredibly proud of the women who have come forward to share their stories with the DFEH. They are brave and courageous, and they deserve our support.
Activision Blizzard has a long and storied history in the video game industry. They have created some of the most beloved and iconic games of all time, including Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo. However, the recent allegations have cast a dark shadow over the company`s legacy.
In the wake of the lawsuit, Activision Blizzard has announced a number of changes to its policies and procedures. They have hired a new chief diversity officer, and they have pledged to increase the number of women and minorities in leadership positions. However, these changes are only a start. Activision Blizzard needs to do much more to address the culture of harassment and discrimination that has been allowed to persist for far too long.