Nintendo of America Head Joins Activision Critics
The CEO of Nintendo of America, Doug Bowser, condemns the current situation at Activision. For this reason, the latter company plans to create a Workplace Responsibility Committee.
IN A NUTSHELL:
- Nintendo of America's CEO Doug Bowser has criticized the current situation at Activision Blizzard;
- In the wake of the scandal, Activision has decided to set up a Workplace Responsibility Committee.
Nintendo of America CEO Doug Bowser joined the companies like Sony and Microsoft in condemning the current situation at Activision Blizzard. We know this from an email sent to all of the company's employees, which was made public by Fanbyte.
“Along with all of you, I’ve been following the latest developments with Activision Blizzard and the ongoing reports of sexual harassment and toxicity at the company,” Bowser begins. “I find these accounts distressing and disturbing. They run counter to my values as well as Nintendo’s beliefs, values, and policies.”
Further in the letter, Bowser explains that Nintendo is dedicated to providing an open workplace for all. He says that the company holds itself to those standards and expects the same from both partners and the rest of the industry.
More for You:
- PlayStation Boss Criticises Activision's Response to Sexual Harassment Scandal
- Bobby Kotick Loses Support; Phil Spencer and Microsoft Join Activision Blizzard's Criticizers
Nintendo has addressed the situation. In a response to Fanbyte, it wrote that the content of Bowser's email is consistent with what the company believes and that it has nothing further to add on the matter.
In related news, yesterday Activision Blizzard announced plans to create a Workplace Responsibility Committee. Its board will include Dawn Ostroff and Reveta Bowers, who currently hold positions on the board of directors. In addition, it was said that the company is working on adding another person to the board.
The committee will oversee new policies and procedures at the company to improve workplace culture and eliminate any form of harassment or discrimination. Interestingly, Bobby Kotick, whose departure has been demanded, will be in charge of providing progress reports on the situation.
The announcement was received rather skeptically by some Activision Blizzard employees. Some criticize the fact that there is no one from outside the company's board and that its members not so long ago supported Bobby Kotick. Others, on the other hand, see the move as a signal that Activision intends to keep the current CEO at least for a while longer.