Take-Two boss makes it clear he supports diversity and ‘common decency’ in wake of Blizzard scandal
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick (Getty Images)
The boss of Take-Two Interactive Software boss has said diversity and inclusion are of “paramount importance” in a firmly-worded statement.
CEO Strauss Zelnick was speaking on an earnings call to the company, as reported by PC Gamer. Take-Two own the publishers Rockstar Games and 2K, responsible for the likes of Grand Theft Auto, Borderlands and more.
Zelnick was asked about how the company deals with harassment, in light of the lawsuit against Activision Blizzard.
“Inclusion, diversity and common decency are of paramount importance to everyone here, and specifically highly important to me for the 14 years we’ve been around,” he said.
“I’ll say it in as black and white a way as I can: We will not tolerate harassment or discrimination or bad behavior of any kind. We never have… We don’t think fostering an appropriate environment is a single set of actions or represents one day in a news cycle. We think it’s a constant process of introspection and improvement.”
Zelnick elaborated further on internal policies at Take-Two, including anti-harassment training and multiple methods of reporting harassment such as an anonymous third-party hotline.
In addition, the company has a director of diversity and inclusion tasked with “developing, executing, and leading a global D&I strategy”, as well as multiple employee resource groups which “gives us all a thrill” he said.
“Is there more that we could do? I’m certain there is,” he added. “Do we feel like we’re in a pretty good place? I’m grateful that we do feel that way right now.”
Activision Blizzard are facing a lawsuit from the California Department of Employment and Housing for its “fratboy culture” of sexual harassment, including an infamous ‘Cosby Suite’.
Ubisoft employees wrote an open letter to their own leadership in solidarity with Activision Blizzard staff.
Ubisoft was rocked by sexual harassment allegations last year.
It’s clear the Activision Blizzard lawsuit is sending ripples throughout the games industry as more companies address harassment and employees call for change.
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