Activision will not participate in the Vortex Game Awards
The game Awards will take place on the night from Thursday to Friday, which has gradually grown into one of the most important gaming events of the year, as well as the announcements and news of the parties developing the upcoming titles. However, Geoff Keighley’s program also strengthened its importance at the societal level, and with it comes responsibility for topics that were addressed at the level of companies and corporate culture during 2021. That’s why – and it must be admitted that after previous pressure from fans – Keighley decided to remove Activision from this year’s program, but not everyone is satisfied with his decision.
Beyond its nominations, I can confirm that Activision|Blizzard will not be a part of this year’s #TheGameAwards
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) December 4, 2021
“I can confirm that, in addition to the nominated games, Activision Blizzard will not participate this year,” the moderator wrote on his Twitter, but this led to a rather heated debate and debate over whether Keighley’s approach was hypocritical. Perhaps also because the organizer of the whole event is trying to explain that the evening belongs to the whole gaming industry, fans ask whether it is necessary to punish individual employees who have worked hard and are working on individual titles with this step. Discussants also dislike Keighley’s zero tolerance for abuse, harassment or predatory practices. Although no one disputes that such behavior should not be given space at The Game Awards or anywhere else in the gaming industry, comments comment that it is usually a failure of hard workers and should not be paid for by hard-working employees by forcing repression. way.
#TheGameAwards is a time of celebration for this industry, the biggest form of entertainment in the world.
There is no place for abuse, harassment or predatory practices in any company or any community.
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) December 4, 2021
The fact that Activision Blizzard is not the only company that has been sharply criticized for its corporate culture this year, cannot be left out, and players are asking where the boundaries between acceptable and unacceptable companies lie. Ubisoft or Riot Games are just two of the other publishers that have not been the subject of optimistic articles in the media, yet they have not received a similar approach from Geoff Keighley. And the fact that, despite allegations of inappropriate behavior in Naughty Dogt, this studio won a number of awards last year thanks to The Last of Us Part II cannot be left out. The last point of misunderstanding Keighley’s approach is Rob Kostich – president of Activision, who remains on the board of The Game Awards no matter what has been said above.
As for those nominations, Activision will remain represented through Call of Duty, which will strive for first place in the category of the best e-sports game, respectively. Call of Duty: Warzone, which is nominated for Best Live Service. “I realize we have a great platform that can accelerate change. We are determined, but we must all work together to build a better and more inclusive environment so that everyone feels safe and can create the best games in the world, ”concludes Keighley, inviting viewers to watch. We remind you that The Game Awards in our time zone starts on Friday, December 10 from 2 am.
