More than 60 developers at Call Of Duty: Warzone studio Raven Software is said to have held a walkout yesterday to protest Activision’s firing of quality assurance testers. On Friday, the studio let go of 12 contractors due to the restructuring, believed to be about a third of the QA team.
“This not only destroys the morale of our workforce, but also undermines confidence in the company that has so often asked us to be patient in improving our working lives,” said staff group ABetterABK.
Washington Post report that meetings are still being held until tomorrow, December 8, for the QAs to find out if they will be fired or promoted. They say that the head of the project has been kept private about the layoffs.
“I feel hurt and betrayed,” one Raven contractor told the Post. “The majority of the individuals who attended their meetings were fired. …Everybody was told, ‘You did nothing wrong’ after receiving the bad news.”
“Our team was destroyed and absolutely no one wanted to work even if they had been promoted,” another tester said. “I wanted to leave because of the reputation Activision has had recently and I don’t want to support the company anymore. … In my opinion, it’s an embarrassment to work for Activision.”
These layoffs come just a month after Activision Blizzard reported on its November earnings call that it posted more than $2 billion in revenue from July through September. Raven’s excess is another blow. hit the company repeatedly fired this year because of accusations Harassment, discrimination and shocking workplace culture.
“We were shocked today when our colleagues at Raven lost their jobs in real time” ABetterABK said on Friday. “With all of our efforts to improve the lives of our contractors, this is a huge wound for all of us – and an incredible break in trust the company has built. ask us. Know that we stand with you.”
Activision responded to the cuts in a statement to EurogamerPublishing company Activision is increasing its overall investment in its development and operations resources. We are converting about 500 temporary workers into full-time employees in the coming months. Unfortunately, as part of this change, we have also notified 20 inter-studio temporary workers whose contracts will not be renewed.”
Based on Posts, more than 60 Raven employees participated in a virtual layoff and walkout yesterday to protest the layoffs. 20 people in Activision’s studios are said to have lost their jobs, including 12 from Raven. ABetterABK said that they have a need, that every member of the QA team, including those who have dropped out, be offered full-time positions:
“Today, Raven QA, as a division, is protesting against Friday’s layoffs. The Raven QA team is essential to the day-to-day operation of the studio.”
“The dismissal of high-performing testers, while workloads and profits are skyrocketing, is an unacceptable act on the part of the company and is contrary to Raven’s goal of becoming a into an exemplary workplace in our industry.
“The goal of this show is to ensure Raven’s continued growth. Everyone who participated in today’s rally did so with the studio’s continued success.
“To our leadership, we expect you to adhere to our policy for responsible leadership. For our community, we hope you’ll join us today. today to demand better working conditions for QA in the industry.”
This is the third launch from an Activision Blizzard studio this year. The first time took place in July, shortly after ActiBlizzard was first sued for alleged harassment and discrimination. Then last month, staff held a Request to remove CEO Bobby Kotick, after a Wall Street Journal report was unearthed more disturbing accusations.
