Almost 500 Ubisoft employees signed a solidarity letter with the employees of Activision Blizzard as they stand in solidarity with their lawsuit against the company.
With the Activision Blizzard sexual harassment lawsuit in full swing, Ubisoft employees are supportive of their fellow employees. The ongoing explosive fallout reminds them of the same experiences they went through last year.
Ubisoft was in Blizzard’s position last year
Last year, scandals rocked the studios of Ubisoft around the world. Several key members of the video game studio, including creative directors across different continents, left the company.
Here's the letter in full. It doesn't just stand with AB workers, doesn't just criticize Ubisoft bosses. It calls for industry-wide action and change, with publishers and developers getting involved. pic.twitter.com/WMNmRHjrq0
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) July 28, 2021
The press eventually revealed that systemic sexual harassment was rampant in Ubisoft. This started from top to bottom, including chief creative officer Serge Hascoet. Now, Ubisoft is seeing the same problem with another company’s employees.
In a letter shared by Stephen Totilo from Axios, employees wrote not only a letter of support to their friends in their rival company. They also penned scathing words to Ubisoft management, who are being sued by a French game workers union.
“We hear you and want to loudly declare our solidarity with you. Over the past week, the games industry has once again been rocked by revelations that have long been known by too many of us. Revelations that a year ago many were hearing about Ubisoft.
“It is clear, from the frequency of these reports that there is a widespread and deeply ingrained culture of abusive behaviours within the industry. It should no longer be a surprise to anyone: employees, executives, journalists, or fans that these heinous acts are going on.
“[…]We must demand real steps be taken to prevent them. Those responsible must be held accountable for their actions.”
Employees feel on the response from management lacking
2020 painted a similar picture for Ubisoft in parallel to what Activision Blizzard is experiencing now. Reports of unsafe work environments, sexual misconduct, and systemic discrimination went around the company.
Statement from Ubisoft about the letter: says it takes the letter and issues raised in it seriously. No specifics in terms of new actions. pic.twitter.com/7q3tt50hLy
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) July 28, 2021
Even with the measures that Ubisoft upper management did, they believe it’s still not enough. It’s not the first time that the French gaming studio received these words either.
“We, the undersigned, have had enough,” continues the letter as they refer to their management. “It has been over a year since the first revelations of systemic discrimination, harassment and bullying within Ubisoft came out.
“At the time, you acted surprised to hear of these acts going on within your own company and we gave you the benefit of the doubt. However, we have seen nothing more than a year of kind words, empty promises, and an inability or unwillingness to remove known offenders.
“We no longer trust your commitment to address these issues at their core. You need to do more.”
Ubisoft released a statement in response to their letter. Activision Blizzard, on the other hand, is on damage control mode. Activision CEO Bobby Kotick penned a letter of response to his employees.
Featured image courtesy of Ubisoft/Official Press Release