(Note- this probably belongs in Gaming, but meh)
http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/01...inappropriate-studio-culture#article_comments
Quantic Dream has come under fire this weekend after reports from three separate French outlets made accusations of inappropriate behaviour, overworked staff and a "schoolboy culture" that allows for racism, sexism and homophobia - Quantic Dream has since refuted the allegations.
Le Monde, Canard PC and Mediapart have all published reports on the behaviour at the studio behind Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls and Detroit: Become Human.
As translated by Eurogamer, studio head David Cage and executive producer Guillaume de Fondaumière are at the centre of these allegations, with Cage in particular accused of an "autocratic" style of working, demanding long hours and refusing to listen to others, with a former employee stating that he sees the studio as a "private, or semi-private space" in which he can "say whatever he wants, it's his place".
Some of the accusations leveled at Cage also include his attitude towards female workers, alleging dirty jokes, smutty remarks "in the presence of his wife", and "inappropriate remarks" about female actors in his games. Former employees also refer to alleged homophobic and racist remarks, with Cage reportedly watching back a burglary on CCTV and asking a Tunisian worker if the thief was a relative.
Co-founder de Fondaumière, meanwhile, has been accused of inappropriate behaviour around staff, in particular at staff parties; the French custom upon greeting is to 'air-kiss' and de Fondaumiere is accused of making more contact than is considered appropriate during these greetings.
There are also reports of a "cache" of around 600 controversially Photoshopped images in existence on Quantic Dream's servers, with some dating back to 2013. These apparently show pictures of Quantic Dream's collaborators depicted in a variety of ways, placing them in "sexual positions", adding "homophobic or sexist slurs" or making them "look like Nazis". These images were apparently sent in group emails (including those belonging to Cage and de Fondaumière).
Cage and de Fondaumière, for their part, categorically deny the allegations, claiming that they hadn't seen "the worst" images before complaints were made. In relation to the allegations of inappropriate behaviour, de Fondaumière called them "absolutely false", stating that: "None of this happened at any evening event".
Cage has similarly refuted all allegations, calling them "ridiculous, absurd and grotesque," and citing his working history with LGBT activist Ellen Page and civil rights activist Jesse Williams as counter-evidence towards any claims of homophobia or racism.
Quantic Dream has issued a formal statement on Twitter, once again categorically denying all allegations and stating that "inappropriate conduct or practices have no place at Quantic Dream", adding that, "it is of utmost importance to us that we maintain a safe environment that allows us all to channel our shared passion for making video games".
Quantic's next game, Detroit: Become Human, has not yet been given a release date but is scheduled to arrive early this year. The game has already stirred up controversy by showcasing scenes that incorporate violence and domestic abuse; it remains to be seen what effect, if any, this latest controversy will have on development.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/01...inappropriate-studio-culture#article_comments
Quantic Dream has come under fire this weekend after reports from three separate French outlets made accusations of inappropriate behaviour, overworked staff and a "schoolboy culture" that allows for racism, sexism and homophobia - Quantic Dream has since refuted the allegations.
Le Monde, Canard PC and Mediapart have all published reports on the behaviour at the studio behind Heavy Rain, Beyond: Two Souls and Detroit: Become Human.
As translated by Eurogamer, studio head David Cage and executive producer Guillaume de Fondaumière are at the centre of these allegations, with Cage in particular accused of an "autocratic" style of working, demanding long hours and refusing to listen to others, with a former employee stating that he sees the studio as a "private, or semi-private space" in which he can "say whatever he wants, it's his place".
Some of the accusations leveled at Cage also include his attitude towards female workers, alleging dirty jokes, smutty remarks "in the presence of his wife", and "inappropriate remarks" about female actors in his games. Former employees also refer to alleged homophobic and racist remarks, with Cage reportedly watching back a burglary on CCTV and asking a Tunisian worker if the thief was a relative.
Co-founder de Fondaumière, meanwhile, has been accused of inappropriate behaviour around staff, in particular at staff parties; the French custom upon greeting is to 'air-kiss' and de Fondaumiere is accused of making more contact than is considered appropriate during these greetings.
There are also reports of a "cache" of around 600 controversially Photoshopped images in existence on Quantic Dream's servers, with some dating back to 2013. These apparently show pictures of Quantic Dream's collaborators depicted in a variety of ways, placing them in "sexual positions", adding "homophobic or sexist slurs" or making them "look like Nazis". These images were apparently sent in group emails (including those belonging to Cage and de Fondaumière).
Cage and de Fondaumière, for their part, categorically deny the allegations, claiming that they hadn't seen "the worst" images before complaints were made. In relation to the allegations of inappropriate behaviour, de Fondaumière called them "absolutely false", stating that: "None of this happened at any evening event".
Cage has similarly refuted all allegations, calling them "ridiculous, absurd and grotesque," and citing his working history with LGBT activist Ellen Page and civil rights activist Jesse Williams as counter-evidence towards any claims of homophobia or racism.
Quantic Dream has issued a formal statement on Twitter, once again categorically denying all allegations and stating that "inappropriate conduct or practices have no place at Quantic Dream", adding that, "it is of utmost importance to us that we maintain a safe environment that allows us all to channel our shared passion for making video games".
Quantic's next game, Detroit: Become Human, has not yet been given a release date but is scheduled to arrive early this year. The game has already stirred up controversy by showcasing scenes that incorporate violence and domestic abuse; it remains to be seen what effect, if any, this latest controversy will have on development.
