blizzard Blizzard Staff Respond to Lawsuit and Internal Mails

[Starym 3,801]

 

We've seen the statements from both current and former Blizzard higher-ups, as well as Activision Blizzard's Corporate Affairs Vice President, so now it's time to see what the reactions were from some of the staff working at Blizzard.

Jeremy "Muffinus" Feasel, Senior Game Designer for World of Warcraft:

Many of us will not be working today in solidarity with the women that came forward. The statements made by ABK do not represent us. We believe women, and we will continue to strive to do better and hold others accountable. Actions speak louder than words.

— Muffvanas (@Muffinus) July 23, 2021

Christie Golden, Story and Franchise Developer at Blizzard:

Thanks to all who've reached out. I stand in solidarity w/ my sisters who have been so poorly treated in our industry. My experience, coming in as an older woman already known at Blizzard, granted me respect that should be extended to ALL women. Please listen to their voices.

— Christie Golden (@ChristieGolden) July 22, 2021

I am, thank you. ❤️ I'm staying quiet, because my voice isn't the important one right now.

— Christie Golden (@ChristieGolden) July 23, 2021

I am feeling somewhat better today. I saw examples of courage, vulnerability, support and acceptance. I saw love for the souls of our games, & a desire to do what was right. I saw care for one another. I saw all of this from those who stood with and beside me. A better day.

— Christie Golden (@ChristieGolden) July 24, 2021

Steve Danuser, Narrative Lead for World of Warcraft:

I'm not talking about platitudes and corporate bullshit statements. I'm talking about friends and colleagues working together to pull evil out by its roots.

This is important to us and to you. But right now, I gotta get back to my friends.

— Steve Danuser (@SteveDanuser) July 23, 2021

One last thing. I'm not saying this to defend any company or industry facade.

Don't speak up for companies. Speak up for people. And our team has amazing, wonderful people who need support right now. That's what I'm going to focus on today.

— Steve Danuser (@SteveDanuser) July 23, 2021

Angela Li, Game Producer for World of Warcraft UI, Accessibility, and Mobile:

We need accountability on HR and mgmt to do better w/ our reports and offer some kind of closure to the victims. I have and will continuously give leadership actionable feedback to stop the empty promises and handy wavy responses I’ve seen for the last 10 years at Blizzard. 2/4

— Angela (@bagelberry) July 25, 2021

There is always room to grow for people who made mistakes as long as they realize the harm they caused and grow to be better; they can be forgiven. Listen, learn, grow. 4/4

— Angela (@bagelberry) July 25, 2021

Tracy Kennedy Producer for Overwatch:

It depends on the team. If there's a good leader that fires bad apples, then it's non-existent. My team and the people immediately around me are all amazing, good beans. I feel safe here.

On teams where the leader is a frat boy or "too nice" to fire them, it can be the majority.

— Tracy Kennedy (@dogspinster) July 23, 2021

Change has to come from the top. Grassroots rallying and nice words can't fix systemic toxicity.

I am very lucky to be on a team now that treats me well, but being treated like a competent human being shouldn't be a matter of luck.

— Tracy Kennedy (@dogspinster) July 22, 2021

Selected tweets from Jeff Hamilton, Senior Systems Designer for World of Warcraft (you can read his full tweets here) :

I believe all allegations of sexual harassment deserve to be taken seriously and in good faith, and any perpetrators of sexual harassment deserve both removal from the company and criminal investigation.

— Jeff Hamilton (@JeffAHamilton) July 25, 2021

I don’t know what to do. I don’t have all the answers. I can tell you, almost no work is being done on World of Warcraft right now while this obscenity plays out. And that benefits nobody - not the players, not the developers, not the shareholders.

— Jeff Hamilton (@JeffAHamilton) July 25, 2021

I deeply love my team. I believe in my coworkers. I have recommended this place as a beacon to people I care deeply about, and in my personal experience, it has been that beacon. But -

— Jeff Hamilton (@JeffAHamilton) July 25, 2021

it is DAMNINGLY OBVIOUS that that experience has not been universal. The people who were harmed by abuse - they deserved that experience too.

— Jeff Hamilton (@JeffAHamilton) July 25, 2021

Terran Gregory, Lead Cinematic Narrative Designer for World of Warcraft:

Reading. Listening. And with so many others, hurting.

One thought I’ll share in reflecting on the experiences shared by unimaginably brave women who should never have had to experience them -

While justice can’t always heal,

Lack of justice always prevents healing.

— Terran Gregory (@TerranGregory) July 23, 2021

Kyle "Zorbrix" Hartline, WoW Server & Live Ops Producer for World of Warcraft:

Really hope that Blizzard puts out a statement on this situation that I actually agree with and can support, and not more legal defense posturing.

Because the stuff said so far is unacceptable and doesn't represent me. And I know I'm not alone in feeling that way here.

— Zorbrix (@Zorbrix) July 23, 2021

Adam Holisky Lead Product Manager, Data Platform at Blizzard:

And these are my views, and I don't speak for my company.

But if my company doesn't see this as the absolute lowest point it could go, then I've just spent the last 13 years supporting or working at the wrong place.

— Adam Holisky (@AdamHolisky) July 23, 2021

Jess Castillo, Project Specialist at Blizzard, STA for Overwatch:

Women of Blizzard, past & present, know that you are loved and what you’ve been through is valid. It doesn’t matter who says it isn’t true. I will help you straighten that crown if you need me to, and remind you that you are a strong, beautiful queen. You are not alone in this ?

— Jess Castillo (@Nimithiriel) July 22, 2021

I woke up and chose violence today. Not just violence but full-on, grew up in the hood type violence.

STOP DIMINISHING WOMEN’S EXPERIENCES. Stop gaslighting what we’ve been through.

Also Fran Townsend does not speak for me or my values. Not even once.

— Jess Castillo (@Nimithiriel) July 23, 2021

There are plenty more voices to be heard, some listed in the main lawsuit reddit thread here.

[GBeast 33]

this is a beacon of hope in the truest sense.


also wondering, what exactly does ABK stand for? I figure the A and B are Activision and Blizzard but what about the K?

[Badadada 184]

20 minutes ago, GBeast said:

also wondering, what exactly does ABK stand for? I figure the A and B are Activision and Blizzard but what about the K?

Activison, Blizzard, King. King is the Facebook/mobile game company that ol' man Bobby acquired some time ago, but is generally unknown to the videogaming scene of the other two daughter companies.

[GBeast 33]

1 minute ago, Badadada said:

Activison, Blizzard, King. King is the Facebook/mobile game company that ol' man Bobby acquired some time ago, but is generally unknown to the videogaming scene of the other two daughter companies.

gotcha, thanks for clarifying

[Gehn 0]

On 7/25/2021 at 3:10 AM, GBeast said:

this is a beacon of hope in the truest sense.


also wondering, what exactly does ABK stand for? I figure the A and B are Activision and Blizzard but what about the K?

King