It’s three for three with Activision-Blizzard this week as the company’s CEO Bobby Kotick has seemingly caught the ire of all three major console publishers, with Nintendo of America CEO Doug Bowser releasing an internal statement regarding the Wall Street Journal report from last week.
Reported on by Fanbytes Imran Khan, the email by Doug Bowser states “I find these accounts distressing and disturbing. They run counter to my values as well as Nintendo’s beliefs, values and policies.” Bowser continues on and says that the company is “…committed to an open and inclusive work place where all are welcome.” Bowser does say that representatives of Nintendo have been in contact with Activision-Blizzard and “…have taken action, and are assessing others.” No word yet of what kind of action Nintendo are committing to. Lastly, Bowser makes mention of the Entertainment Software Association, a lobbying group that both companies are a part of, and that Nintendo is working with them to enforce their stance on sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace; including that they should hold their members to the highest standards.
For Koticks part, he had an internal meeting with senior leadership in which he stated that he would “consider leaving if he couldn’t fix the company’s cultural problems fast enough.” according to the Wall Street Journal. With mounting pressure from within and from without, it seems that Kotick is preparing to jump ship.
Jonathan Sanchez
Article Team
