International Game Developer Association Reportedly Mishandled Abuse Claims While Calling Out Industry Issues
A new report alleges that the International Game Developer Association mishandled a number of complaints about incidents of abuse, despite the organisation publicly calling out the video game industry for ignoring victims of abuse for years.
In a damning report by GamesIndustry.biz, it was revealed that the IGDA had not followed its own rules and code of conduct when investigating complaints into allegations of workplace misconduct.
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The bulk of the report is focused on the internal investigation into IGDA Women in Games Special Interest Group chair and IGDA Foundation Next Gen Leaders alumna Jennifer Scheurle. She stepped down from the position following accusations of emotional abuse, harassment, and manipulation, but the report alleges that despite the IGDA Foundation concluding that there wasn't enough evidence of wrongdoing, the investigation left many accusers unsatisfied.
The report claims that in 2019, a complaint filed by 11 people detailing misconduct by Scheurle was dismissed by the organisation for lack of evidence, despite the complaint also citing several industry veterans who were uncomfortable working with her.
As well as not following up on the complaint thoroughly, the IGDA Foundation also breached confidentiality and let the contents of the complaint be discussed within the organisation - one of Scheurle's supporters contacted one of the complainants. The IGDA FOundation later apologised for this.
In 2020, a following complaint was lodged by 14 accusers and six allies against Sheeurle to the IGDA, but despite an initial 34-page document and an additional 78 pages of follow-up evidence, the IGDA allegedly did not follow its own guidelines and further reach
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