Investors are unhappy with the actions of the leadership of Activision Blizzard – Igromania

The situation around Activision Blizzard remains challenging. After information about filing a lawsuit about discrimination and harassment, sponsors turn away from the company, and players and streamers declare a boycott of its games.
Investment group SOC stated that the promises of the leadership of Activision Blizzard to improve the corporate culture are not enough. The proposed measures, including a change of leadership at Blizzard, fail to address “deep and pervasive problems of impartiality, inclusiveness and human capital management.”
Investors note that no changes have yet been announced in the procedure for appointing senior management, in the remuneration of managers, including those involved in the harassment, and the law firm WilmerHale, who was recruited for independent audits, is better known for her advocacy for the wealthy and powerful than for her expertise in detecting wrongdoing.

According to the SOC, by the end of the year, Activision Blizzard should introduce at least one woman on the board of directors, preferably a defender of the interests of marginalized groups, and by 2025 equalize the gender balance in the leadership.

Meanwhile the producer Heroes of the storm Tami Sigmund wrotethat understands the feelings of those who remove the company’s games and declare them a boycott. But, on the other hand, women remain in the company itself, who work day after day and fight against injustice.

When people don’t spend money on our games, it affects my share of the profit and the percentage of my bonuses. The consequence of this lawsuit may be that in March, when my newborn child enters kindergarten and my maternity leave ends, I may not receive the bonus needed to pay for this kindergarten.

Tami Sigmund

Some commentators supported this point of view, noting that in addition to predators and oppressors, the company employs thousands of employees, and they will first of all be fired if the decline in income forces them to tighten their belts. At the same time, work on World of Warcraft and, possibly, other games has already been stopped, and this will affect primarily the players.

On the other hand, former fans of Blizzard games point out that they don’t have many ways to influence company policy and show their displeasure. And the “blow with the ruble” is the most noticeable and effective of all.

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