Abuse allegations emerge in the wake of GDC 2023
Sign up for the GI Daily here to get the biggest news straight to your inbox
[Trigger warning: This article contains references to sexual assault]
Allegations have emerged that multiple women were subject to abuse and harassment during GDC and adjacent networking events.
The claims have been shared via social media over the weekend, with Stride PR vice president and Games Industry Gathering founder Guy Blomberg stating he had been informed of multiple people that had drinks spiked during networking events on the evening of Thursday, March 23.
Blomberg acknowledged that this may have occurred during the karaoke event he co-hosted, and said he and his co-organisers are investigating who did this.
"I'm so very sorry [folks] had to go through such a horrifying experience, it's absolutely not their fault," he posted on Twitter.
"I'm furious this not only happened, but that it tends to happen so frequently that it's become almost common place. It's NOT fucking okay or acceptable. We are doing everything we can to work with the venue, look through security footage, and reach out to various people."
Meanwhile, game writer and developer Leena van Deventer reported that women at GDC were "belittled and undermined in their roles, been hit on relentlessly, and had their drinks spiked by predatory men."
She also alleged that two women were "lured up to a hotel room by a man in a position of power for a 'pitch', where he then assaulted them."
Van Deventer added that some of the culprits' photos and details have been shared via group chats to warn other women, and that support has been provided to the victims.
"We’ve always had each other’s backs but now you predators better be mindful of our fronts," she wrote. "We know who
Read more on gamesindustry.biz
