Men Must Speak Out Against Toxicity Targeting Women - And On Their Own Behalf | Opinion

Following the Game Developers Conference earlier this year, numerous reports surfaced on social media and in gaming publications detailing incidents of sexual harassment, verbal abuse, and discrimination experienced by attendees. These reports included inappropriate comments and advances, physical assaults, and drink spiking, allegedly perpetrated by both fellow attendees and industry professionals. Mick Morris, Vice President of Games at Psyop, expressed his shock and outrage on LinkedIn, stating that such behavior is unacceptable and that men who witness or are aware of it should speak out. I was surprised by his surprise, given our 20-year acquaintance and shared experiences in the industry. This conversation felt different, as it was initiated by a man openly condemning the behavior and seeking change. A roundtable discussion led by men to address the issue of toxic behavior is a promising start. As someone who has worked in the UK gaming industry since 1992, I have attended numerous conferences and experienced shocking incidents, including unwanted advances and sexist comments. At one conference, a fellow speaker sent me a series of messages on LinkedIn, ranging from friendly to inappropriate, despite knowing I was engaged to be married. I felt unsettled and isolated, and the conference organizer, while supportive, seemed to prioritize business interests over addressing the issue. It turned out I was not the only one targeted that night, and the perpetrator had a history of such behavior. At another conference, an attendee made a sexist comment about not hiring women for game development, and no one challenged him. We later discussed why no one spoke out, and the men explained they did not want to speak on our behalf or be seen as taking our voices. We agreed that they should use their voices to challenge such statements and support us in calling out bad behavior. A roundtable discussion hosted by men can help address these issues and create a safer environment for women in the industry. The gaming industry has a unique opportunity to drive change, being younger, more agile, and closely connected. We need to educate ourselves on what is acceptable in our working environments and raise awareness. I support the idea of a "men in games" group leading this conversation and creating a safe space for people to share their experiences. It is time for us to come together and make a change, and I am committed to being an ally in this effort.