Quantic Dream is under investigation from Game Workers Unite and a French tech worker union for claims of sexual harassment.
It’s been a while since we last heard from Quantic Dream, the French studio responsible for such story-driven games as Detroit: Become Human, Heavy Rain, and Beyond: Two Souls. And we bet they’d rather not be making headlines for this particular reason.
Game Workers Unite, an international organization fighting for better work conditions for video game developers, has put out a call for people working at Quantic Dream to come forward with testimonials about sexual harassment that is allegedly endemic in the studio.
"We have been informed of acts of sexual harassment and sexual assault committed against women who work and have worked in the company,” Game Workers Unite wrote on their blog. “These offenses are extremely serious and are punishable by law, however they seem to be repeated with impunity for several years because of a strong [culture of silence], this must stop.”
Game Workers Unite is joined by Solidaiers Informatique, the French technology workers union, in requesting information regarding Quantic Dream’s workplace culture.
Last year, a joint investigation from three leading French publications found that Quantic Dream suffered from a work environment that has harmful to employees, including sexism, racism, and strong pressure to engage in “crunch.” One specific incident saw employees post photoshopped pictures of co-workers placed on the body of Nazis or porn stars, which were then posted in the studio’s halls or circulated via email.
Quantic Dream COO Guillaume de Fondaumière and president David Cage were accused of taking part in this despicable behavior.
News of Quantic Dream’s hostile work environment comes at a time when studios are coming under increased scrutiny. Riot Games recently suffered a walkout where over 150 employees staged a protest against the company’s endemic sexism and use of forced arbitration to prevent sexual harassment lawsuits from going before the courts.