Mike Morhaime, the former head of Activision Blizzard and co-founder of the company, has reacted to allegations of abuse made against Activision Blizzard. Morhaime gave a long statement on his efforts to ensure an environment of safety for all people during his tenure of 28 years at the company. Howeverhis efforts were ultimately rejected.
He added, “I knew it wasn`t the perfect solution, but it was clear that that was our goal.” “The truth is that a lot of women were abused and didn`t receive support, indicates that we let them fall,” he said. We also failed to provide a safe environment for peopleshonest declarations. Other companies have also faced similar problems. “I was looking to make us betterand more unique.”
Morhaime claimed that it`s the duty of the company`s top management to ensure that harassment and toxicity in the workplace of any kind is spelled out across every level of the company. “To the Blizzard women who were victims of any of these thingsI am deeply sorry that I failed you,” he continued.
The former president of Blizzard said he would likethe victims to share their stories with him , if they are at ease doing so. He also said that he hopes to make use of his power as a leader within the video game industry to “help create positive change and combat misogyny, harassment, and discrimination”.
The response to Morhaime`s tweet was somewhat mixed. Many were appreciative of his words and seemed hopeful that they could effect a positive changehowever, others believed that there was no way that Morhaime wasn`t aware of what was allegedly going on within the company.
One former Blizzard employee, Terra Field, was quick to point out that the company didn`t condemn those responsible for the harassment, but instead elevated them to higher positions. Terra Field claimed that Ben Kilgore, chief technology officer, was being investigated for inappropriate behavior in the workplace since 2016. But Kilgore was promoted to chief developmental officer in the year 2017. Mohaime was fired from the company in 2018.
Cher Scarlettan ex-employee claims she was disciplined by Morhaime after she CCed her in an emailand threatened with physical injury. “It felt that I was not given any grace, in spite of many male leaders being repeatedly excused for their actions, and often being made to feel that the sexual harassment wastotally normal and “not so bad”and sometimes even a compliment, due to the way it was portrayed,” they continued.
Scarlett did mention that they had spoken with Morhaime on the phone in the aftermath of his comments and liked “his accepting responsibility and being empathetic towards what they had experienced and witnessed.” Scarlett believed that Morhaime “was kept in the dark about plenty.”