IGDA mishandled complaints of harassment, conduct violations
Marie Dealessandri
Features Editor
Tuesday 8th February 2022
International Game Developers Association
In the summer of 2020, the games industry saw a cluster of sexual harassment and abusive workplace scandals at a host of high-profile companies, Ubisoft and Insomniac among them. As the situation unfolded, the International Game Developers Association publicly criticised the industry for ignoring harassment allegations and encouraged victims to reach out to the IGDA for support.
Yet, according to a GamesIndustry.biz investigation, despite the IGDA's pledge to support victims, it mishandled multiple formal complaints against its own Women in Games Special Interest Group chair, and failed to follow its own policies on how to properly handle such complaints on more than one occasion.
The IGDA has a policy for responding to harassment complaints, which is detailed in this document.
The guidelines describe a zero tolerance policy towards acts of harassment, which the IGDA had already committed to as far back as 2017, saying: "We encourage game developers around the world to join the IGDA in adopting a zero tolerance policy towards harassment and violence, in committing to swift and fair response and resolution to any complaints, in protecting the safety of anyone who has been the victim of harassment, and in supporting a diverse and inclusive workplace and community."
Last year, IGDA Women in Games Special Interest Group chair and IGDA Foundation Next Gen Leaders alumna Jennifer Scheurle stepped down from her position at the IGDA of her own accord following accusations of manipulation, harassment and emotional abuse.
When the allegations against Scheurle first emerged publicly, the IGDA said it had previously conducted an
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