2021 Game Awards Host Silent On Activision Blizzard Allegations

Image: The rewards of the game

Like Geoff Keighley’s annual Prize giving of the game entering his eighth year, the creator and animator told the Washington Post today that he’s still considering how to “navigate” Activision Blizzard’s involvement in the ceremony following the latest reports of sexual misconduct at the publisher.

“We want to support employees and developers,” Keighley said in an interview on what to expect at the 2021 Game Awards, which takes place on December 9.[Keighley] He added that he supported the people presenting their stories, but also didn’t want to diminish the opportunities for developers to showcase their games, ”The Washington Post reported.

“We have to think very carefully about how to do this here,” he said in the interview. Despite being one of the most prominent figures in the video game industry, Keighley has so far refrained from speaking out against years of reported abuse at one of the world’s largest game companies. .

Keighley and The Game Awards did not respond to a request for comment.

Activision Blizzard, which faces a lawsuit by California regulators alleging years of widespread sex discrimination, harassment and other forms of abuse, is one of the few companies on the Game Awards advisory board. In addition to Activision Chairman Rob Kostich, the board also includes executives from Nintendo, Microsoft, Sony and many other gaming industry giants.

Image: The rewards of the game

The executives of these console makers in particular were some of the few voices that have spoken recently, albeit internally rather than publicly, in the wake of an explosive Wall Street Journal investigation about misconduct at Activision Blizzard that involved its CEO, Bobby Kotick.

While thousands of publisher employees called on Kotick to resign, Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser, PlayStation boss Jim Ryan, and Xbox Chief Phil Spencer, each emailed their respective staff to express their disgust and concern over the allegations, although none have announced specific changes in their business relationship with Activision Blizzard.

In addition to recognizing the hard work and artistic achievements of game developers, the Game Awards are also a giant marketing platform for game companies to advertise their upcoming games. Last year, Activision took advantage of the event to show the first season Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War post-launch Warzone content.

Read more: Games created under difficult conditions do not deserve the “best direction” awards

In the Last episode From Inside the Game Awards, a podcast series promoting the show, Keighley confirmed that the new game announcements and trailers are by far the most popular part of the event and the main reason for which most viewers connect to. He also spoke at length about the work and collaboration with video game companies who organize the selection of trailers each year. Keighley confirmed to the Washington Post that the 2021 show will not include anything about Blizzard’s recently delayed Diablo IV and Overwatch 2, but did not mention if any other Activision Blizzard games may appear.

However, accusations of misconduct and abuse are not unique to Activision Blizzard. In addition to the growing mountain of crunch reporting in many studios often nominated for Game Awards, other members of its advisory board have also been criticized. Sony’s PlayStation division was recently sued by a former employee allegation of discrimination on the basis of sex. Microsoft has faced a number of accusations of discrimination more the years. Reports a culture of sexism at Riot Games ultimately resulted in a giant settlement. And Ubisoft, which faced its own massive #MeToo account last year, continues to be accused by current and former employees of not having take complaints of misconduct seriously.

Update: 12/04/21, 8:21 am ET: Keighley explained Activision Blizzard’s involvement in this year’s Game Awards in a Twitter feed posted late last night. The host confirmed that the publisher does not appear outside of the categories for which its games are nominated (nominations and winners are voted on by the media), and added that “there is no room. for abuse, harassment or predatory practices in any business or community. . “

Keighley continued:

I also realize that we have a great platform that can accelerate and inspire change. We are committed to it, but we must all work together to create a better and more inclusive environment so that everyone feels safe to create the best games in the world.

We are all responsible for this standard. Amazing games – and the talented developers who create them – are the ones we want to celebrate. We will see each other Thursday.