Nintendo Issues Internal Response to Activision-Blizzard Reports
Update at 8:30 PM PT: Nintendo PR sent us the following as a response to our request for clarification and comment on the actions taken: “We can confirm that Doug Bowser’s internal email addressed to Nintendo of America staff was accurate. This topic is closed to further discussion.
Below is the original story:
A bombshell report by Wall Street Journal last week detailed how Bobby Kotick, Activision-Blizzard CEO, intervened to help abusers at the company and act as one. This led to demanding his resignation as well as that of the executive team protecting Kotick. Long-standing Activison partners, platform-holders PlayStation & Xbox, were also prompted to send employees internal messages expressing concern about Kotick’s conduct and the harassment lawsuits against Activision. Although both emails were leaked to the general public, Nintendo has not responded. Fanbyte has now received the internal response from an authorized source.
Doug Bowser, president of Nintendo of America, sent an email on Friday, 19 November, to address the Activision Blizzard report. It was sent to all levels of Nintendo of America, including internal development houses such as Retro Studios and newly acquired Next-Level Games.
Bowser says, “Alongside all of you, I have been following the latest developments in Activision Blizzard as well as the ongoing reports about sexual harassment and toxicity at the company.” These accounts are troubling and distressing. They are contrary to my values, as well as Nintendo’s beliefs and values.
Bowser continues in the letter to state that Nintendo is committed to creating an inclusive and open workplace environment where everyone feels welcome. Bowser states that the company adheres to this standard and expects the same from industry partners and other stakeholders.
Bowser says that representatives from Nintendo were “in contact” with Activision and have taken action. However, it is unclear what actions Bowser refers to or what they are leaving out.
However, he does mention the ESA, a lobbying group of which Nintendo and Activision Blizzard are both members. Bowser claims that Nintendo has been working with ESA since last week to strengthen its stances against harassment and abuse in work and that the ESA must hold all members to the highest standards.
“Every company within the industry must create an environment that respects and treats everyone equally and allows all to understand the consequences of not doing so.”
We reached out to Nintendo to get their opinion on the story, but they did not respond when this article was published.
