Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser has expressed concern at the “distressing and disturbing” allegations that emerged about Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick in a report from The Wall Street Journal last week.
Within their report, Kotick was accused of intervening to protect those who had abused employees and had therefore known about the allegations and incidents of abuse within the company years before the publisher was hit with the scandal.
Fanbyte reports that an email from Bowser was sent out to Nintendo of America’s staff on Friday 19th November, which, forwarded to them “from a verified source,” had also been distributed to internal developers such as Retro Studios and Next Level Games.
“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 opened. “I find these accounts distressing and disturbing, They run counter to my values as well as Nintendo’s beliefs, values and policies.”
Reiterating the company’s commitment to an open and inclusive workplace where all are welcome, he shared that representatives from Nintendo have been “in contact with Activision, have taken action and are assessing others.”
Bowser added that within the last week Nintendo has been working with the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) – which counts both Nintendo and Activision Blizzard as members – to strengthen stances on harassment and abuse in the workplace. Further to that, stating that the ESA must ensure that member organisations are held to the highest standard.
“Every company in the industry must create an environment where everyone is respected and treated as equals, and where all understand the consequences of not doing so,” he stated.
