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"I left Insomniac Games because of how they treat women" Ex-Employee speaks out
- Thread starter XaviConcept
- Start date
That is unfortunately true. As soon as metoo2 end, it won't be long before everything goes back the way it used to be, until a metoo3. It won't be a constant non-stop battle till changes occurs.
And it absolutely suck.
I've been a huge fan of Insomniac since Spyro, and Ted Price always seemed like a really good guy in the interviews. That coupled with the fact they won multiple "best place to work for" awards... leads me to being surprised about this. I guess I was naive, and this shit is in every workplace, but man.
With Ted Price still being at the top, and being there for these many years, I feel like this shit falls on him. I wouldn't be surprised if he promoted this toxic culture - but hopefully that is not the case.
Hopefully other game studios/companies get exposed.
Ahahahaha, the typical brand response.
I'm sure nothing happened and the person is still working there.
Reading her account of what happened left me questioning my desire to buy a PS5 for Ratchet and Spider-Man, and then Insomniac's second tweet appeared and I am now firmly in the not-buying-these-games camp. What a fucking tone deaf response by Insomniac.
Tweet 1/2 was fine, tweet 2/2 comes across as absolutely tone deaf and it is very disappointing.
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I know its depressing but seeing the "oh no, not Insomniac" posts made me aware that, you know, Im sure 90% of every game company out there has stories like these and we need to stop thinking they dont. What were seeing here is further proof of systemic sexism in this industry and Im sure it permeates most other industries as well.
One thing we have learned from the recent events is that its not enough to not be racist, you have to be anti racist. Same goes with sexism, dont get complacent when things seem "normal" you have to be active in fighting sexism. I didnt encounter much sexist behavior at EA (I myself reported a very troubling incident and it was resolved) but that doesnt mean its not happening and I could have done more to make sure it was an even better working environment for the women who worked there. Im sure lots of people at Insomniac are high quality human beings but they were clearly not taking forward action towards elevating the experience of the non white CIS employees. Some of it is malice but a select few, yes but Im certain most of it is the naivete afforded by the status quo.
Dont be surprised if more stories come out, Im sure each big company has at least one current scandal like this, treat it more like the new normal, demand that these companies do better moving forward so we can start changing the culture for good.
One thing we have learned from the recent events is that its not enough to not be racist, you have to be anti racist. Same goes with sexism, dont get complacent when things seem "normal" you have to be active in fighting sexism. I didnt encounter much sexist behavior at EA (I myself reported a very troubling incident and it was resolved) but that doesnt mean its not happening and I could have done more to make sure it was an even better working environment for the women who worked there. Im sure lots of people at Insomniac are high quality human beings but they were clearly not taking forward action towards elevating the experience of the non white CIS employees. Some of it is malice but a select few, yes but Im certain most of it is the naivete afforded by the status quo.
Dont be surprised if more stories come out, Im sure each big company has at least one current scandal like this, treat it more like the new normal, demand that these companies do better moving forward so we can start changing the culture for good.
Because you're intrusively pushy about mine?
I don't give a fuck about "Insomniac" as a company, but I maintain it's a pretty reasonable response to not hold a PR person's statement over the fire for this, especially if this was guided/dictated specifically by management (which is unquestionably was), and the value of the statement even if it was miraculously somehow a "good" response would still be nothing compared to what it's addressing. The words in my initial post are clearly not uplifting the abuser, so I'm not even sure where that accusation came from. What can I do specifically, here, in this thread, to uplift the victim's voice? Why is that something you came at me for?
I never expect better from companies. Even with my company, there are all kinds of shit that happens.
Well said and I'm hoping that the people who have realized the importance of #BLM also apply that same line of thinking here too.
Victims should feel safe to share their stories and I'm glad that many are (despite the bullshit that'll probably come with it).
I think they are saying "Don't be surprised, demand more/better from the company/industry" - which I agree with.
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Cool, who said that, because I didn't.
Exactly. How was that not clear.
My thoughts exactly. It's such a manipulative term that only serves to make you accept the unacceptable in the workplace.
This is absolutely awful and she is so brave to come forward with this. And Insomniac's reply is manipulative and disgusting
I feel like MeToo movement will have long legs given how pervasive and systemic these issues have been and are. Furthermore, (and I may be completely wrong) it seems like the movement is gaining momentum inspired by the on-going global BLM protests. So, as long as one person has the courage to shine a light on the rot, others who have been victimized may feel most comfortable to corroborate, if not more, at present.
Given that Insomniac is now a Sony PS subsidiary, perhaps sufficient pressure can be directed towards Sony to get them enact long term changes.
That Insomniac tweet was total empty business pr bullshit, they need to address this much better. Unfortunately workplace sexism is still very commonplace especially in the games industry.
That's not much of a response. Still reading through the thread, I hope that's not really 'it'.
Seems like this industry is as toxic on the inside as on the outside. The world is full of shitty people.
Yep, they addressed It as hollow as possible so now, no one can say they didn't respond.
Business 101
Probably will be it for now as (hopefully) things are happening... Don't know if SIE will get directly involved, they should. Worst case scenario is this dies down and nothing happens but I hope that is not the case.
The culture and toxicity that has been nurtured and fostered in so many industries, but especially the tech industry, is god damn revolting. And while there have been some marginal steps to improve, it hasn't even been close to enough when it comes to addressing the realities that so many women have to deal with in a male dominated sphere.
I can't imagine the mental, physical and emotional anguish of having to deal with this shit. It makes me physically ill.
Thankful she spoke out and had the courage + strength to come forward. I hope more women will come forward when they're ready to share their own experiences because people need to be held accountable. They've been getting away with encouraging and ignoring this garbage for far too long.
I can't imagine the mental, physical and emotional anguish of having to deal with this shit. It makes me physically ill.
Thankful she spoke out and had the courage + strength to come forward. I hope more women will come forward when they're ready to share their own experiences because people need to be held accountable. They've been getting away with encouraging and ignoring this garbage for far too long.
I don't want to get into a debate about what society is, but if society was truly the barometer of what was right or wrong than #blacklivesmatter wouldn't be such an instantly recognisable hashtag - it would't be necessary at all. The words that form the cornerstone of society remains the law, which is overwhelmingly driven the lobbyists who typically represent large organisations and not individuals like those victims who have come forward to speak up.
I find it difficult to shake my experience eight yers back when I had a poor-performing team member and, having exhausted all other options, had to follow the disciplinary route and in response I had a sexual harassment accusation case made against me. It was fabricated and unravelled as colleagues countered false claims made against me, then against them. The independent team investigating took a while to get to that point and during the months of investigation nothing was said openly other than "we're investigating". It was awful for me but worse, false allegations disproved undermine genuine complaints because every claim then comes with a seed a doubt.
I think the difference here is that Harvey Weinstein was accused as an individual and Insomniac is accused of corporate-level failings. You can say that shouldn't make a difference, and I would agree, but it is different.
Yeah I really hope people continue to put pressure on them because their response sure ain't enough.
FYI best place to work for awards are bullshit, the whole company gets asked to fill in a survey for X company's 'best places to work for award' submission. Doesn't mean shit.
Brotopia - Wikipedia
In ‘Brotopia,’ Silicon Valley Disrupts Everything but the Boys’ Club (Published 2018)
Emily Chang’s book looks at the way male cliques in the tech world use their newfound wealth and power to get whatever it is they had previously been denied — mainly stuff, status and sex.
I mean. it happen everywhere....is not different in the company that make your phone or your shoes or pants. Saying that doesn't mean that your defending Insomniac.
If we want to make real changes we need to make companies accountable for this kind of issue and not buying their products is the only way that consumers can demand change to big companies... The catch is that it mean stop buying almost everything.
You don't going to change this or any other industry if you don't change the whole country.
Wow that second tweet is tone deaf like hell.
Sounds like a cliché to say, but I'm really not interested in their games anymore.
Sounds like a cliché to say, but I'm really not interested in their games anymore.
Really really really really bad response. Like come the fuck on just address the FUCKING ISSUE
You dont have to respond to the direct allegations and breach privacy issues but that statement is some hot garbage.
That's the most generic bullshit we are doing and dont care pr response I've seen since...I guess blizzard
That's the most generic bullshit we are doing and dont care pr response I've seen since...I guess blizzard
I would say probably even more than that. Even the Night in the woods dev had a case and those folks are legit