Riot walk out today from 2-4pm

Mark Dygert

https://kotaku.com/riot-employees-prepare-for-walkout-today-1834553458

Los Angeles-based Riot Games employees are preparing for a walkout this afternoon in protest of the company’s stance on forced arbitration in what appears to be the first walkout at a major gaming studio. Kotaku will be reporting live from the protest as it develops.
“I’m walking out as a symbolic action to signal to leadership that I care about this issue,” said one current employee. “I hope leadership takes the time to seriously listen to the issues.”

Since late last year, five current and former Riot Games employees have filed lawsuits against the League of Legends publisher alleging, among other things, that Riot violated the California Equal Pay Act. The lawsuits referenced an eight-month Kotaku investigation in which dozens of current and former employees reported a culture of widespread and endemic sexism at the company, manifesting in Riot’s hiring practices, promotion strategies, and wider culture.

NikhilR

Will the game industry blacklist these poor people? Like I was assuming that the one aspect that everyone's worried about when they speak out.

sacboi

Culture change starts with the first step...my only hope is that this situation will be ultimatly resolved too the benefit of all parties involved.

cptSwing

You have my solidarity gals and guys!

Shrike

While I'm sure there is a lot of bogus agenda included, I have no surprises that Riot has no healthy work culture.
They started in the most toxic way possible;

They bought the admin of the very popular Dota forums (Pendragon), deleted all content (thousands of threads, community guides, artworks, hero ideas of which they ripped a lot) closed the forums totally and put a cocky League advertisement on the frontpage, saying how much better League is than Dota. That is the most douche move Ive ever seen in the industry.

Two Listen

hahaha

They address their employees as rioters.

You know 'cause of the name.

That's the best.

poopipe

It's rare I'm sympathetic to this sort of thing (what with me being a crotchety old fascist in a position of privilege and power and all)  but in this instance I feel a little different. 
I have ignored the twitterstorm surrounding it because that's what any adult should do but the forced arbitration thing leaves a very sour taste in my mouth - its hardly the behaviour of an institution that's got nothing to hide.  Smoke, fire etc.... 

In Europe this shit wouldn't fly at all and those of us who are fortunate enough to be working under European regulations probably ought to take a moment out to appreciate the protection we have.

NikhilR

poopipe said:

It's rare I'm sympathetic to this sort of thing (what with me being a crotchety old fascist in a position of privilege and power and all)  but in this instance I feel a little different. 

Fascist? What studio are you with. o_O

cptSwing

Interested in experiencing working for a fascist?

I think he was being ironic and referring to his position as the one of the bad bossmen, part of the powerful corrupt elite, etc

In Europe this shit wouldn't fly at all and those of us who are fortunate enough to be working under European regulations probably ought to take a moment out to appreciate the protection we have.

Regulations past generations of workers fought (and sometimes died) for, mind. Rarely will workers rights be gifted out of a company's/industry's goodness of their heart

NikhilR

cptSwing said:

Interested in experiencing working for a fascist?

I think he was being ironic and referring to his position as the one of the bad bossmen, part of the powerful corrupt elite, etc

In Europe this shit wouldn't fly at all and those of us who are fortunate enough to be working under European regulations probably ought to take a moment out to appreciate the protection we have.

Regulations past generations of workers fought (and sometimes died) for, mind. Rarely will workers rights be gifted out of a company's/industry's goodness of their heart

Just so long as it doesnt involve an invasion of europe.
Though i am genuinely curious.

RyanB

NikhilR said:

Though i am genuinely curious.

His user name is "poopipe".    

NikhilR

RyanB said:

NikhilR said:

Though i am genuinely curious.

His user name is "poopipe".    

I agree it is not very fascist.

poopipe

cptSwing said:

I think he was being ironic and referring to his position as the one of the bad bossmen, part of the powerful corrupt elite, etc

Yes, exactly that.



And yeah, the conditions we all enjoy over here exist because they're enshrined in law, not because they make business sense  

NikhilR

poopipe said:

cptSwing said:

I think he was being ironic and referring to his position as the one of the bad bossmen, part of the powerful corrupt elite, etc

Yes, exactly that. 

What games has your studio published under these conditions? 

Neox

it was a joke...

poopipe

Yes, it was.

I'm not saying where I work or which games I have made for the same reasons I don't reveal my address, full name or bank account details and I'd urge others to take the same approach. 

NikhilR

poopipe said:

Yes, it was.

I'm not saying where I work or which games I have made for the same reasons I don't reveal my address, full name or bank account details and I'd urge others to take the same approach. 

    Ah i see. I share my artstation in my signature so its easier to find my work.
    If they find my address i hope they come visit for tea and biscotti.