Rocksteady Studios, a London-based developer of the hit DC Comics video game, Batman: Arkham series, is now being called out by its female employees. The company is said to be ignoring and covering up sexual harassment complaints that were filed nearly two years ago.
The Guardian reported that a former female employee reached out to them to reveal what the company had done and what actions it took to address the complaints that women employees submitted then to their bosses.
The report filed and signed by ten of the 16 female employees of Rocksteady in November of 2018 include complaints "discussing a woman in a derogatory or sexual manner with other colleagues", and sexual harassment "in the form of unwanted advances, leering at parts of a woman's body, and inappropriate comments in the office."
Inappropriate behavior such as sexual harassment and sexism are both part of the grievances that the women employees filed, including hate on the transgender community. The company addressed the problem by conducting an office seminar that only lasted for an hour.
This seminar made the attendees sign a document stating that they have undergone training.
A female employee of the game studio approached The Guardian and wished to remain anonymous. Here, she showed a copy of the letter signed by fellow women workers and shared what they have experienced with Rocksteady.
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Target locked - #DCFanDome - August 22. #suicidesquadgame pic.twitter.com/HrXZNKwo0f — Rocksteady Studios (@RocksteadyGames) August 7, 2020
Sexual Violations in Rocksteady's Office
(Photo : Twitter: Rocksteady Studios (@RocksteadyGames)) Rocksteady Logo
The employee who wished to remain anonymous recounted the stories she heard and even have experienced while working for the company.
"I have heard everything from groping claims to incidents involving [senior staff], all of whom are men," she said. Male executives of Rocksteady have made sexual advances to the female employees that made them feel violated in the workplace. "It felt that it was a just way for them to cover their arses." she added, pertaining to the training program that was the course of action of the company to address the filed sexual harassment case. The anonymous female employee also noted that Rocksteady's men even repeatedly highly-sexualized female DC Characters Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy. They added that they were just reluctant to reveal this letter because of the possibility of not receiving credit for DC's upcoming game developed by Rocksteady, Suicide Squad. Suicide Squad is set to be announced in DC FanDome this coming Saturday, August 22, 2020.
Rocksteady's Response
Rocksteady responded when The Guardian reached out to them regarding the two-year complaint. Rocksteady's spokesperson stated that "From day one at Rocksteady Studios, we set out to create a place where people are looked after, a place fundamentally built on respect and inclusion." The game developing company also added that upon their initial receipt of the complaint in 2018, they have enforced "firm" measures to address the issue raised by its female employees. They also added that since the sexual harassment case, the company has been listening and carefully assist its employees in their needs. Rocksteady noted that the company is dedicated to stand-up for their staff and develop inclusion from within. The employee who revealed the letter stated that she gained perspective from the recent resigning of Ubisoft executives that were alleged of misconduct within the company. She also noted that 97 to 98 percent of Rocksteady employees are "incredible people" and this revelation is primarily focused on those who committed the indecent acts. Rocksteady Studios is known for releasing the widely-popular video game franchise of the Dark Knight, Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009), Batman: Arkham City (2011), and Batman: Arkham Knight (2015).
Today marks the 5th anniversary of the Batman: Arkham Knight launch. Many thanks to each and every one of our crime fighting fans for keeping Gotham safe through the years. pic.twitter.com/hVCQ9mCwIe — Rocksteady Studios (@RocksteadyGames) June 23, 2020
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Written by Isaiah Alonzo
