This being a Sunday, I naturally assume that you’ve been playing video games ever since getting out of bed this morning. I of course can’t blame you. I mean, what else are weekends even for? The downside is that you’re probably not up to speed with everything that’s been going on in the world of gaming, so let me give you a quick rundown. Today, we found out that future Assassin’s Creed games could be shorter, Meta has come out in favor of Microsoft buying Activision Blizzard, and the developers working on The Callisto Protocol have been forced to crunch. There’s more where this came from, so read on for the rest.
Ubisoft Boss Addresses Toxic Work Culture, Says The Company "Stumbled"
Ubisoft has been the subject of intense controversy for the last couple of years on account of numerous reports concerning toxicity in the workplace. The latest development is that Chief Executive Officer Yves Guillemot has acknowledged the poor response on the part of the company. “We want to ensure an inclusive, rewarding, and respectful workplace for all,” the executive said. “Yes, we stumbled. And we have acknowledged that. We learned a lot along the way and have made meaningful progress with concrete action plans led by our leaders together with Anika Grant, our chief people officer, and Raashi Sika, our VP of diversity and inclusion.”
The Callisto Protocol Devs Admit To Crunching Following Glen Schofield's Apology
The person behind The Callisto Protocol, Glen Schofield, came under fire last week for some comments that apparently praised crunch culture. The executive quickly apologized, but reports have now come to light that some of his workers have indeed been forced to crunch. In a message sent out to those under him, Schofield said that he is “learning” from the situation and has promised to "do better" in the future. "I’ve been listening to feedback and I realize that I’ve had a blind spot when it comes to the unintended consequences of long hours, even when they’re optional," Schofield commented. “The buck stops with me and I’m using this experience as a catalyst for change.”
Meta Defends The Microsoft Acquisition Of Activision Blizzard
Meta has come out strongly in favor of the recent deal between Activision Blizzard and Microsoft. The company submitted a series of statements to a government regulator in Brazil, noting how “the electronic games sector is highly dynamic and competitive with an abundance of content produced by several developers and with constant entries of new players.” According to the company, “Meta understands that the publishing and development of electronic games is intensely competitive, attracting a wide range of players competing globally against each other.” The concern is of course that Microsoft could become something of a monopoly in the future.
Jonathan Dumont Is Directing Assassin's Creed Project Red, Despite Allegations Of Intimidating Women
The game director appointed by Ubisoft to produce the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Project Red is none other than Jonathan Dumont, someone who has previously been accused of verbal abuse, particularly against women. According to a source, Dumont “pushes people to the edge of their mental health regularly and tries to justify his behavior by saying this is how you get things done. He makes various misogynistic and homophobic comments and when he's called out on them will come out with defenses like my mother left my father when she realized she was a lesbian, so I know what I am talking about.”
Future Assassin's Creed Games Could Be 15 Hours Long Rather Than 150 According To Executive Producer
Assassin’s Creed games have been getting longer and longer over the course of their 15 year history. Well, this trend could soon be changing. In reference to the “hub” for upcoming entries in the Assassin’s Creed series, Executive Producer at Ubisoft Marc-Alexis Côté said that “I think this Infinity approach is allowing us to have different experiences of different sizes. Not everything has to be a 150 hour roleplaying game, right?” Fans of the franchise are apparently split as to whether Assassin's Creed games need to be shorter.