by Mike Morhaime, the former director of Activision Blizzard and co-founder of the company, has responded to allegations of abuse made against Activision Blizzard. Morhaime issued a lengthy statement regarding his efforts to create a safe environment that was inclusive of all employees throughout his 28-year stint at the company. Howeverthe efforts he made were removed.
“I recognized that the system was not perfect, but clearly we weren`t even close to that target,” he said. “The fact that so many women were treated badly and didn`t receive support, indicates that we let them down,” he said. We also did not make it safe for peoplesauthentic declarations. This is not a reason to be discouraged because other companies have also faced similar issues. “I wanted us to be betterand more unique.”
Morhaime stated that it is the job of the company`s management to ensure that harassment and toxicity in the workplace of all kinds is taken care to stamp out at all levels of the company. “To those Blizzard women who have experienced any of these issuesI am deeply sorry for what I did to you,” he continued.
He demanded that victims tell the story of their experiences if they felt comfortable. He added that he plans to leverage his position as an influencer in the field of video games to “help make positive changes and fight misogyny harassation, and discrimination”.
The reaction to the tweet by Morhaime was mixed. Many were appreciative of his tweets and appeared to be hopeful that they could effect a positive changeand others believed there was no way that Morhaime was unaware of what was allegedly going on in the business.
One ex- Blizzard employee, Terra Field, was quick to mention that the company didn`t discipline those who were accountable for the harassment, but instead promoted them to higher levels. She claimed the chief technology officer Ben Kilgore had been under scrutiny for his inappropriate behavior at work since 2016, and was elevated to chief development officer in 2017. Mohaime was fired from the company in the year 2018.
Cher Scarlettan ex-employee claims she was disciplined by Morhaime for CCing her in an emailand threatened with physical injury. It felt like I wasn`t given any grace, despite the reality that men who were in charge were excused for their behavior and were told that harassment of sexual nature wascompletely normal and “not as bad”and that was an acknowledgement given how widespread it was.”
However, Scarlett did mention that they had spoken privately with Morhaime after his remarks, and was pleased with “his taking responsibility and being sensitive” towards what they had been through and observed. Scarlett said that she believed that Morhaime “was kept out of the loop about a variety of issues.”
