Analytic Dreamz: Notorious Mass Effect - "ACTIVISION BLIZZARD SETTLES DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT WITH $54 MILLION SETTLEMENT"

Episode Date: December 30, 2023

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/AnalyticIn this episode of Notorious Mass Effect, Analytic Dreamz tackles the recent $54 million settlement reached between Microsoft-owned gaming giant Activision Blizzard and the California Civil Rights Department (CRD). We delve into the 2021 lawsuit alleging gender discrimination and harassment, unpacking the claims of a hostile work environment, pay disparities, and the ramifications for the gaming industry.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Now, before we get into the actual topic with Activision, I just want to let y'all know that leaks are not cool, right? There's a reason why, as a gaming coverer, I'm not covering certain leaks when it comes to Insomniac. But what I will say is that the current perception on PlayStation versus Xbox is kind of jaded because of the exclusive characters that's all. out front as far as the pillars of the PlayStation exclusives, whether it's Cretus, whether it's the girl from, I forgot her name, but anyways, forbidden West, whoever forbidden Horizon, one of them, that main character, Spider-Man, and then you have the Last of us, right?

And Ellie. So with that being said, Activision has had a lot of things happen to it, which we're going to cover now. but them being bought out by Xbox has caused certain concerns in the PlayStation fandom. Now, why am I saying that, right? Because they found themselves in even more deep water as they agreed to pay out $54 million to settle a workplace discrimination lawsuit brought by California's Silver Rights Department in 2021. And basically, the lawsuit alleged gender discrimination pay inequities

in a culture of sexual harassment at the gaming company. And so when they settle with this big of a amount, you have to think they have some sort of evidence to go along with their claims as Activision settled. So with them settling, they have not admitted guilt because it's not what the settlement is technically, but them facing this big, backlash right after being acquired by Microsoft is very interesting.

And the way that Activision came out to express dedication to implementing the new obligations and addressing issues of gender-based harassment and paid disparity is very reactive, if that makes sense. Hopefully, they actually put actions upon those worries instead of just talking. Because if you don't know, the key points are basically Activision. blizzard paying 54 million but the bigger deal is active well active vision being acquired by xbox because xbox gave a tremendous bag to active uh to activision to join the xbox exclusive club and not exclusive but you know certain titles that activision makes is probably going to be exclusive

just like every other gaming company that Microsoft has acquired. Like at this point, that's why I started the segment off with the leaks and things of that nature, because I'm not going to give credence to the leakers, but what I will say is the take that PlayStation is very intimidated by Microsoft's accurate. acquisitions is very true. And the GamePass is the future of gaming. That's basically what I'm going to say. Game Pass is right now looking to be the Netflix of gaming

when everybody is still out here buying cable when it, in terms of buying $70 full price games, right? Activision is helping the overall play of Xbox eventually, going console less, meaning everything is off of the cloud. If you don't know if you use GamePass, you literally can try out games without downloading it. If you never try the Game Pass, it's one of the greatest. I'm not going to say inventions because things like an Xbox or things like a free-to-play section on the Game Hub does exist. But as far as the GamePas being in the subscription field with games you actually want to pay,

or want to play at a at a subscription price is very interesting i mean the rock star CEO literally came out and said that he hopes that they can implement some sort of subscription-based payment in gta which they probably will but i'm just letting you know i'm just getting you a heads up so if one single a game is already thinking about doing that they're they are realizing the value of well the value that their game can have which is why the game Pass is so important because it gives you that, it gives the consumer that value per subscription. It's not really individual game base. It's basically a whole hub of free games that you get to play at the price of a regular

subscription, you know, or a monthly subscription or yearly or wherever you're playing is. But basically, I say all that to say this. The biggest thing is that you kind of have to add context in this whole settlement because I'm not saying that they're only accusing Activision of workplace discrimination simply because of them being acquired by Microsoft for $69 billion. Maybe they saw that and it was like, hey, now I got to come out with my critiques because I need my cut of this bag.

I think they had some sort of ground to stand on or else Activision would have settled, you know? Also, Activision Blizzard. is known for games like Call of Duty, World of Worldcraft, and now they are acquired by Microsoft. That's why the whole Sony versus Xbox is very convoluted, because when it comes to five, ten years down the road, Microsoft looks like is in a way, it's a much more pristine position versus Sony.

So that's all I'm going to say, because I don't want to give any leaks, any credence, but I do want to talk about the overall landscape of the gaming console battle. So the biggest thing, which is what this segment is over, is that workplace discrimination is obviously not a thing you should have whenever trying to appease or trying to please multiple people because when you come into the workplace, being discriminated upon can only make your life even more stressful and,

and not in a fair matter. Unfairly more stressful, if that makes sense. And apparently they're taking steps, quote unquote, for recruitment and retention and outline in its 2020, I don't know, have taken proactive steps for recruitment and retention as outlined in their 2022 environmental, social and governance report. So with that being said, apparently Activision is going to do something after settling, which is only good to hear for people who was actually discriminated upon,

they're going to place actions with their words. But only time would tell because at the end of the day, that is why they got themselves in this situation in the first place. So hopefully they end up actually doing right by their words and statements. So with that being said, click my link to tree in my bio. let me know in one of my social media is what do you think about Activision blizzard having to pay or agreeing to pay 54 million to settle a workplace discrimination lawsuit and what is your biggest takeaway from it