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[Topher]

Activision Blizzard has received another sexual harassment lawsuit that also alleges sexual battery, failure to prevent harassment, gender discrimination, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

As reported by The Daily Mail, a plaintiff identified only as Jane Doe filed the lawsuit with the Los Angeles Superior Court that claimed "Activision Blizzard is a massive video game company with a massive sexual harassment problem".

Doe is seeking an undisclosed amount of compensation, punitive damages, and the removal of CEO Bobby Kotick, who was previously accused of knowing about but not reporting sexual harassment allegations at Activision Blizzard.

The lawsuit is against both Activision Blizzard itself - which is currently locked in a number of other lawsuits alleging sexual harassment - and former employee Miguel Vega, the once manager of Doe who was allegedly fired a month after she reported him to management.

Deo met Vega in 2009 or 2010 before she worked at Activision Blizzard and the pair formed a virtual friendship in which Doe sent "compromising photos" of herself, something she now regrets according to the lawsuit. This relationship ended in 2011, however, as Doe met her future husband.

The lawsuit states that Vega helped Doe get independent contractor work at Activision Blizzard in 2016 and she later started full time at the company in 2020. Vega allegedly groped and attempted to kiss Doe, telling her "one day you'll give in", and also belittled, insulted, and threatened to blackmail her with the compromising photos.

"He never missed an opportunity to make her feel small," the lawsuit states, adding that Doe reported the blackmail threats and that Vega was fired the next month. The lawsuit alleges this wasn't enough, however, claiming that Activision Blizzard ratified Vega's conduct by not taking more immediate and corrective action.

Update: 10/13 12:59 pm PT: Activision Blizzard sent over a statement regarding the lawsuit saying, "We take all employee concerns seriously. When the plaintiff reported her concerns, we immediately opened and investigation, and Mr. Vega was terminated within 10 days. We have no tolerance for this kind of misconduct.

It's the latest in a long line of allegations against the company that began with a lawsuit filed by the state of California, accusing Activision Blizzard of fostering a "frat boy culture". While it is currently pending in Los Angeles Superior Court with an expected trial date in February 2023, the company recently settled another sexual harassment lawsuit with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for $18 million.

Activision Blizzard Receives Another Sexual Harassment Lawsuit - IGN

Activision Blizzard has received another sexual harassment lawsuit that also alleges sexual battery, failure to prevent harassment, gender discrimination, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

www.ign.com

 

[Buggy Loop]

Ouf, imagine Microsoft being linked to this shitshow

 

[IFireflyl]

Activision Blizzard has done a lot of wrong, but this one seems like they actually responded the way that they should have. What am I missing?

 

[Topher]

Activision Blizzard has done a lot of wrong, but this one seems like they actually responded the way that they should have. What am I missing?

I'm not really sure but granted there is a lot about these sexual harassments lawsuits I don't understand (and don't want to). Ultimately, Jane Doe wants compensation and punitive damages which obviously means money. Whether or not she is truly entitled to this money or not I have no idea, but we live in a world where even doing everything by the book doesn't mean you can't be sued.

 

[lh032]

 

[Hendrick's]

What am I missing?

 

[NoLootBoxDev]

ActiBlizard it is a shit show if all those claims of sexual harassment are true. Of course, I am someone who says innocent until proven guilty. If Kotick knew about it (the affected ones told HR/management) and did nothing that is pretty much covering a crime, well he deserves to be punished.

 

[Jennings]

Hopefully she also files suit against the alleged perpetrator to force him to delete the nudes she sent him so he can no longer blackmail her with them.

 

[STARSBarry]

Good thing OW2 allows the developers to play the game too.

 

[Frank Horrigan]

Activision Blizzard and the pair formed a virtual friendship in which Doe sent "compromising photos" of herself,

Doe a Hoe
Never send nudes, doe do it to yourself. No sympathy for her or others who do the same. You're an adult, you can't run crying when the consequences of your actions catch up to you

Vega allegedly groped and attempted to kiss Doe, telling her "one day you'll give in", and also belittled, insulted, and threatened to blackmail her with the compromising photos.

Sure Jane.gif

 

[adamsapple]

Ouf, imagine Microsoft being linked to this shitshow

All the recent Activision shitshows are the main reason they were able to pitch the sale in the first place ..

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

MS is going to fix this..so they say.

 

[Little Chicken]

Probably Jim Ryan, they've been fucking him relentlessly lately.

 

[Pasta la Vista]

Right on time. I believe this is what the zoomers call "4D Chess".

 

[3liteDragon]

 

[ParaSeoul]

Reminder they were monitoring employees menstruation cycles and stealing breast milk before.

 

[skit_data]

MS sure have a lot of cleaning up to do after the acquisition if they wanna avoid being associated with all this.
Wouldn’t surprise me if we see a pretty sharp decline in ABKs productivity in the first years if they have to give the boot to key people in the company.

 

[Andrew Evenstar]

as expected in most companies that size. don't you just love how everything is publicized today. one story can change your mind / narrative about anything. definitely not excusing this at lol. just interesting.

 

[DeepEnigma]

MS is going to fix this..so they say.

By making it exclusive.

 

[jhjfss]

 

[Fuz]

Like they care.
People talk big, but nobody's gonna stop giving them money.
Actually doing something? You crazy.
So still a good deal for them.

 

[IFireflyl]

Doe a Hoe
Never send nudes, doe do it to yourself. No sympathy for her or others who do the same. You're an adult, you can't run crying when the consequences of your actions catch up to you


Sure Jane.gif

I am honestly floored by this post. You're blaming the alleged victim for being blackmailed by someone using "compromising photos" that were sent to them at a time that they were in a relationship? And then you're doubling down on calling her a liar? I'm all for innocent until proven guilty, but Activision Blizzard's track record with sexual harassment claims is horrendous.

I still think lawsuit is frivolous because it sounds like they admit that the dude was fired within two weeks of the incident being reported. But this guy was fired after being investigated, and by a company who is well known to have had sleazeballs in positions of power. Your post needs to be reeled in a bit, man.

 

[//DEVIL//]

Probably some current Sony employee who used to work with Act before and told her to fake something. Like how most of these lawsuits are just flat out fake sexual harassments.

“ oh my god he winked at me and I couldn’t hold it and I crashed and kept thinking about my future and how it hurt my feelings deep inside and now I am abused and harassed !! “

 

[Frank Horrigan]

I am honestly floored by this post. You're blaming the alleged victim for being blackmailed by someone using "compromising photos" that were sent to them at a time that they were in a relationship? And then you're doubling down on calling her a liar? I'm all for innocent until proven guilty, but Activision Blizzard's track record with sexual harassment claims is horrendous.

She sent nudes. Now shes saying he blalckmailed her with nudes in a relationship
Who sent the nudes?
Who ended the relationship?
Who has more to gain?
A track record does not a guilty person make

I still think lawsuit is frivolous because it sounds like they admit that the dude was fired within two weeks of the incident being reported. But this guy was fired after being investigated, and by a company who is well known to have had sleazeballs in positions of power. Your post needs to be reeled in a bit, man.

I'll issue a full apology if this dude is found guilty. Until then, no, I won't take sides with someone who sent nudes and is now complaining that those nudes were used against her. Don't send nudes. Easy rule to follow

Investigated for what? Fired for what reason? It's all speculation and I believe in innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof is on the shoulders of the accuser.

 

[Gamerguy84]

Back in my day harass was two words

 

[remember_spinal]

 

[Topher]

Probably some current Sony employee who used to work with Act before and told her to fake something. Like how most of these lawsuits are just flat out fake sexual harassments.

“ oh my god he winked at me and I couldn’t hold it and I crashed and kept thinking about my future and how it hurt my feelings deep inside and now I am abused and harassed !! “

I'm starting to think Sony did something bad to you.

 

[//DEVIL//]

I'm starting to think Sony did something bad to you.

man you made me spit my drink lol.

Nah. I used to love them. but I just hate jimbo and the new direction they are taking. but that is a different subject I do not want to go off-topic lol.

 

[IFireflyl]

She sent nudes. Now shes saying he blalckmailed her with nudes in a relationship
Who sent the nudes?
Who ended the relationship?
Who has more to gain?
A track record does not a guilty person make

What you said is that someone can get consent to make a sex tape or have their partner send "compromising photos" to them, and then they can use those things to blackmail their current or former partner, and that's apparently alright with you. Your exact words were, "Never send nudes, doe do it to yourself. No sympathy for her or others who do the same. You're an adult, you can't run crying when the consequences of your actions catch up to you." You're giving he person committing the crime a pass, and you're blaming the victim.

I'll issue a full apology if this dude is found guilty. Until then, no, I won't take sides with someone who sent nudes and is now complaining that those nudes were used against her. Don't send nudes. Easy rule to follow

So you're saying that when there's someone alleging a crime we should treat them like shit and tell them it's their own fault, but if they go to court and the verdict comes back in their favor then we say sorry. This is seriously one of the cuntiest posts I've seen on NeoGAF.

Investigated for what? Fired for what reason?

Did you not read before you posted? Blackmail. That's illegal.

It's all speculation and I believe in innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof is on the shoulders of the accuser.

Nobody is saying otherwise. The issue here is that you're lambasting the alleged victim without any of the facts. The spirit of innocent until proven guilty is impartiality so you can consider the evidence and confirm guilt or innocence. What you're saying is, "Innocent until proven guilty, but fuck anyone who tries to report a crime until the verdict comes back in their favor." Like a said, this is a super cunty post.

 

[BadBurger]

She sent nudes. Now shes saying he blalckmailed her with nudes in a relationship
Who sent the nudes?
Who ended the relationship?
Who has more to gain?
A track record does not a guilty person make


I'll issue a full apology if this dude is found guilty. Until then, no, I won't take sides with someone who sent nudes and is now complaining that those nudes were used against her. Don't send nudes. Easy rule to follow

Investigated for what? Fired for what reason? It's all speculation and I believe in innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof is on the shoulders of the accuser.

They were two consenting adults. It obviously doesn't give him the right to later sexually harass her nor hold the threat of revenge porn over her. They didn't have a relationship beyond what appears to be remote flirting and sexting and the like (read the article).

As for the rest, fair enough, but it's extremely odd that anyone would be taking his side given all we know about the past environment at Activision/Blizzard. Not to mention bringing such a massive lawsuit must be stressful and the stakes for her lying would be quite high given who would be counter suing her if she is (which we can safely assume she probably isn't since dude was fired after the investigation).

Your post reads like a stress test of Poe's Law, lol. But we'll see, it's probably going to be a very long time until the case concludes unless A/B decides to settle.

 

[JonSnowball]

"I had to wait for hours to get a match on launch day - I think I was raped".

 

[Frank Horrigan]

What you said is that someone can get consent to make a sex tape or have their partner send "compromising photos" to them, and then they can use those things to blackmail their current or former partner, and that's apparently alright with you. Your exact words were, "Never send nudes, doe do it to yourself. No sympathy for her or others who do the same. You're an adult, you can't run crying when the consequences of your actions catch up to you." You're giving he person committing the crime a pass, and you're blaming the victim.

What crimes have been committed? Innocent until proven guilty

So you're saying that when there's someone alleging a crime we should treat them like shit and tell them it's their own fault, but if they go to court and the verdict comes back in their favor then we say sorry. This is seriously one of the cuntiest posts I've seen on NeoGAF.

Treat them like shit? No, but don't believe their bullshit until they prove it. I'm not going to take sides with an accuser until I see proof. False accusations never get punished and once the accusation is out there, real or not, the damage is done.

Did you not read before you posted? Blackmail. That's illegal.

it sure is. Has he been charged for Blackmail or is this an accusation?

Nobody is saying otherwise. The issue here is that you're lambasting the alleged victim without any of the facts. The spirit of innocent until proven guilty is impartiality so you can consider the evidence and confirm guilt or innocence. What you're saying is, "Innocent until proven guilty, but fuck anyone who tries to report a crime until the verdict comes back in their favor." Like a said, this is a super cunty post.

What facts do you have to not be impartial and believe the victim? You call my posts cunty while falling over yourself to defend this woman who may or may not be falsely accusing someone, based solely on accusations and that ABK are bad dudes.

If it comes out that this guy did nothing wrong, and that he was falsely accused, will you call out Jane doe and have her pay for her false accusations?

 

[Frank Horrigan]

They were two consenting adults. It obviously doesn't give him the right to later sexually harass her nor hold the threat of revenge porn over her. They didn't have a relationship beyond what appears to be remote flirting and sexting and the like (read the article).

Allegedly

As for the rest, fair enough, but it's extremely odd that anyone would be taking his side given all we know about the past environment at Activision/Blizzard. Not to mention bringing such a massive lawsuit must be stressful and the stakes for her lying would be quite high given who would be counter suing her if she is (which we can safely assume she probably isn't since dude was fired after the investigation).

I'm not taking his side. I'm just not believing everything I'm reading without facts or legal decisions. The rest of this is just assumptions which don't hold up in court. The stakes for her lying are Zero. Fuck all happens to those who fling false accusations. The stakes for her getting away with it, if it is a false accusation, is some hush money so she can go away

Your post reads like a stress test of Poe's Law, lol. But we'll see, it's probably going to be a very long time until the case concludes unless A/B decides to settle.

Which is what will probably happen, seems as most people have labelled this dude as guilty already, based on assumption. It's easier for ABK to give Jane $100,000 and tell her to fuck off, rather go through the courts.

If that happens, do we ever find out if she was trying it on or if she was harrassed? No. But this guy who was potentially falsely accused, then becomes guilty by default.

Yet I'm the cunt who refuses to side with an accuser with no proof.

 

[The Pleasure]

Is that before or after he sexually harassed the heroines in those jrpgs he wants on xbox?

 

[IFireflyl]

What crimes have been committed? Innocent until proven guilty

The alleged crime of blackmail. Yes, there is innocent until proven guilty. That doesn't mean you get to shit on everyone who alleges a crime. If a crime is committed and nobody is there to witness it then there was still a crime committed even though nobody was found guilty.

Treat them like shit? No, but don't believe their bullshit until they prove it. I'm not going to take sides with an accuser until I see proof. False accusations never get punished and once the accusation is out there, real or not, the damage is done.

It's one thing to be suspicious. What you're doing is blaming the person making an allegation. People like you are the reason that women who are raped are too scared to report the crime. This fucking attitude right here.

it sure is. Has he been charged for Blackmail or is this an accusation?

It's an accusation.

What facts do you have to not be impartial and believe the victim? You call my posts cunty while falling over yourself to defend this woman who may or may not be falsely accusing someone, based solely on accusations and that ABK are bad dudes.

Except that I'm not defending her. I stated multiple times that I think that this lawsuit is frivolous because she's suing the company the offender worked for instead of the defender himself, and the company the offender worked for apparently investigated the allegations she brought them and then fired the offender.

If it comes out that this guy did nothing wrong, and that he was falsely accused, will you call out Jane doe and have her pay for her false accusations?

Absolutely. It angers me that false allegations of sexual crimes go largely unpunished. What I don't do is blame the alleged victim before any facts or evidence have been produced, because that's a shitty thing to do and I'm not an asshole.

 

[Frank Horrigan]

The alleged crime of blackmail. Yes, there is innocent until proven guilty. That doesn't mean you get to shit on everyone who alleges a crime. If a crime is committed and nobody is there to witness it then there was still a crime committed even though nobody was found guilty.

Alleged. Innocent until proven guilty. Where does it say I have to be nice to everyone who alleges a crime? Where does it say I should blindly defend and believe someone stupid enough to send nudes who then complains that those nudes are used against them?

It's one thing to be suspicious. What you're doing is blaming the person making an allegation. People like you are the reason that women who are raped are too scared to report the crime. This fucking attitude right here.

I'm not blaming them. I wanna see the receipts before i defend or believe them. And your fucking attitude right here is the reason so many women falsely accuse others of rape and get away with it scot free

It's an accusation.

But not a proven crime?

i accuse you of being a rapist, thief and child molester. Does it make it true?

Except that I'm not defending her. I stated multiple times that I think that this lawsuit is frivolous because she's suing the company the offender worked for instead of the defender himself, and the company the offender worked for apparently investigated the allegations she brought them and then fired the offender.

You are defending her by taking a side that she is probably telling the truth. Maybe the guy was fired as a peace offering? Maybe he was fired for being shit and this was a coincidence. Maybe he was going to be fired anyway and she found out and wanted a pay day? Maybe the guy was jerking off over a3 print outs of the nudes. Until the court decides, we don't know.

Absolutely. It angers me that false allegations of sexual crimes go largely unpunished. What I don't do is blame the alleged victim before any facts or evidence have been produced, because that's a shitty thing to do and I'm not an asshole.

I'm not blaming her, I'm just not feeling sorry for her or believe her story until I see the receipts. her main accusation is that he used nudes to blackmail her, based on nothing other than her sending nudes. If i send you CP, does that make you a pedophile?

I'm an arsehole, but i never get screwed over by people. How many times have you been screwed over in your life?

 

[Jaybe]

Lawyers…

 

[IFireflyl]

Alleged. Innocent until proven guilty. Where does it say I have to be nice to everyone who alleges a crime? Where does it say I should blindly defend and believe someone stupid enough to send nudes who then complains that those nudes are used against them?



I'm not blaming them. I wanna see the receipts before i defend or believe them. And your fucking attitude right here is the reason so many women falsely accuse others of rape and get away with it scot free

But not a proven crime?

i accuse you of being a rapist, thief and child molester. Does it make it true?

You are defending her by taking a side that she is probably telling the truth. Maybe the guy was fired as a peace offering? Maybe he was fired for being shit and this was a coincidence. Maybe he was going to be fired anyway and she found out and wanted a pay day? Maybe the guy was jerking off over a3 print outs of the nudes. Until the court decides, we don't know.


I'm not blaming her, I'm just not feeling sorry for her or believe her story until I see the receipts. her main accusation is that he used nudes to blackmail her, based on nothing other than her sending nudes. If i send you CP, does that make you a pedophile?

I'm an arsehole, but i never get screwed over by people. How many times have you been screwed over in your life?

You absolutely did blame her! Shit, man. If you had simply said you doubted the claim I wouldn't have responded. This was what you said:

"Never send nudes, doe do it to yourself. No sympathy for her or others who do the same. You're an adult, you can't run crying when the consequences of your actions catch up to you."

You said she can't run crying when the consequences of her actions catch up to her. Her actions were sending "compromising photos". The consequence, per this article, is that the person she sent those photos to was blackmailing her. And your response to that was that she deserved that consequence because she sent the photos in the first place.

I'm done responding to you though. You're a terrible human being.

 

[Majormaxxx]

First of all, she behaved inappropriately by sending these photos to her coworker. What a stupid woman. Use your head a bit. And think longer term. Second, he was fired. Hope the court dismisses this.

 

[Bragr]

I don't know what happened, but this sounds like a money scheme, suing the company for emotional distress when it was one person, and demanding that Kotick resigns, is so outlandish and ridiculous that it's hard to take this person seriously.

But in today's social media onslaught, everyone and their mama is gonna jump on the Activision/Blizzard sexual harassment train.

Even if this was a true story and worth suing for, we can't blame anyone before the court case is done. But people refuse to follow that, and the accusation is enough. The accusation and previous issues damn anyone before a word is said.

And a lot of you guys are following along.

 

[IFireflyl]

First of all, she behaved inappropriately by sending these photos to her coworker. What a stupid woman. Use your head a bit. And think longer term. Second, he was fired. Hope the court dismisses this.

This was done five years before they were coworkers according to the lawsuit.

 

[Majormaxxx]

She found some asshole, flirted (note the wording used - "virtual friendship"... I don't know about you folks but I don't exchange nudes with "friends" ) with him and exchanged nudes for two years, then later used her connection with him to get the job. She then married and regretted the sexual behavior of her youth, which is of course fine. After that he became pushy, gropy and verbally abusive, improperly expecting that she'd return the favor. Got reported and fired. How is that on Activision? Improper as his actions were, actions have consequences. Sharing nudes has consequences. Asking for favors from assholes who have your nudes has consequences. Ideally she would have liked to be able to do whatever the hell she wanted to do without any consequences and with the protection of Activision.

 

[ahtlas7]

Chapter 1, paragraph 3, line 15: ”…You will be sexually harassed”. -Activision/Blizzard Employee Handbook.

 

[Jim Ryan other Clone]

What is sexual harassment in 2022? To tell a colleague that she is sexy? Speaking behind her back because she is sex bomb and everyone masturbate for her or is some weak minded people that can't say whoever is trying to "harass" then to go bend?
We had a colleague that someone liked her but she is married and that idiot became little too invested and she dressed him with some powerful words and slapped him so hard in the office that he forgot to raise his head for couple weeks out of embarrassment.

 

[TheThreadsThatBindUs]

ActiBlizard it is a shit show if all those claims of sexual harassment are true. Of course, I am someone who says innocent until proven guilty. If Kotick knew about it (the affected ones told HR/management) and did nothing that is pretty much covering a crime, well he deserves to be punished.

*did nothing?

Did you read the story?

The company investigated and fired the dude within 10 days. How is that doing nothing? What else did you want them to do?

 

[Smokken]

Gee, another "accusation", never seen that one before. Notice all the women jumping on this easy-money train to earn a quick buck.

I'm noticing a trend here. Lots of allegations with zero evidence. Same thing happened with Bret Kavanaugh, Trump, Musk....even Biden. As soon as one woman files a lawsuit, everyone else and their mother wants in on the action. Impossible to take this seriously anymore.
MeToo movement has done more harm than good imo.

Sad actually. It undermines the REAL cases instead.

Besides, Activision took action and fired the guy shortly after. Kinda obvious she just wants money out of this.

 

[Mess]

This was done five years before they were coworkers according to the lawsuit.

Do you often accept jobs from people you sent nudes to?

 

[Drizzlehell]

Yeah, this is why I don't buy their games anymore.

Remember, if you buy Modern Warfare 2, you're supporting a company that routinely allows shit like that to happen behind its doors. Having some fun playing a stupid videogame (and fucking CoD of all things) is not worth it.

 

[Filben]

Dude was fired 10 days later. In business terms, this is ultra fast. I think this is quite appropriate.

 

[Negotiator101]

Doe a Hoe
Never send nudes, doe do it to yourself. No sympathy for her or others who do the same. You're an adult, you can't run crying when the consequences of your actions catch up to you


Sure Jane.gif

Can I be Frank? Have you ever been in an intimate relationship? Pics, videos shared between a couple are quite normal. Surely you're not condoning blackmail?