Activision Blizzard and its many branches has been the subject of much controversy over the past year, from lawsuits to multiple strikes and walkouts. Three weeks into a solidarity strike in response to the surprise layoffs of 12 Raven Software temp workers, Activision finally released a statement to its own employees and those of its satellite studio.
Activision Blizzard has been the parent company of Raven Software–known for Star Wars: Jedi Knight II - Jedi Outcast, Quake 4, and its heavy involvement in the Call of Duty franchise– since it acquired exclusive publishing rights for the developer’s games in 1997. Right before the holiday season last year, Raven laid off 12 temp workers from the QA department without warning, prompting employees of both Raven and Activision Blizzard to strike in solidarity with the terminated workers.
A spokesperson for Activision finally broke the silence surrounding the strikes days after Raven QA issued a reminder to its leadership that their demands remained unheard. According to Activision’s statement, Raven leadership has started to speak with its staff. Activision itself is reportedly working on converting 500 temporary workers to full-time employees across all of its studios, and has given an extended notice-of-termination period and holiday pay for the 12 employees who were terminated. Notably, this did not address the singular demand of the striking Activision and Raven workers, who requested all temporary Raven employees, including those terminated, be offered full-time positions.
As of right now, it is unclear what the nature of the discussions between Raven leadership and its staff encapsulates. Though Raven QA has laid out its demands and points of discussion plainly, it seems as if Activision and Raven may be trying to end the strike on their terms without fully acquiescing to the demands made of it, especially since the lack of staffing is rippling through their games, as evidenced in recent glitches in Call of Duty: Warzone.
That said, it seems the ABK Workers Alliance and Raven QA have no desire to accept token gestures. At the time of publication, the ABK Workers Alliance Strike Fund, organized by former Activision Blizzard developer and ABK Worker’s Alliance founder Jessica Gonzalez, has broken $360,000, which will be used to compensate striker wages and assist with other expenses surrounding the protests. Activision’s response is proof the strike is lighting a fire under it, and with time, the striking workers may see their demands met.
Though the controversies surrounding Activision Blizzard have been unnerving to watch unfold for gamers across the globe, it seems to have sparked positive change across the industry. Companies like Ubisoft are joining Activision Blizzard in standing up for their rights. If this positive trend continues, the industry will hopefully see more unions and workers-rights groups pop up, meaning better games and gaming experiences for everyone.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz