weekend.di.se states that #GamerGate harasses women

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Earlier today I was informed by a Swedish reader of ours that weekend.di.se had released an article called “Superhjältar i spelvärlden” (Superheroes of the game world). Well, there is nothing wrong with that. As a lot of people love superheroes and video games all over the world (no matter gender or race). Nor was it wrong that weekend.di gathered 13 of the most successful females in the Swedish games industry, to do an interview with each and every one of them (Malin Hedström, Arrowhead, Tau Petersson, Stunlock Studios, Paulina Davidsson, Avalanche Studios, Jenny Huldschiner, EA, Taina Malen, Star Stable, Kiki Olofsson, King, and Susana Meza Graham, Paradox Interactive). Because I have nothing against females working in the games industry, none at all. In fact, some of my favorite game developers are females (females such as Jane Jensen and Roberta Williams for example). And for most part, the article isn´t bad either. However, the article are quite “feminist” and “gender biased” heavy, in my opinion.

weekend di superheroes of the game world

I have nothing against women in tech, games or whatever, but this is a GG hit piece for sure.

Anyhow, the part (s) that really stuck out from the rest of weekend.di.se´s article, were the parts that concerned #GamerGate. As weekend.di.se stated repeatedly that #GamerGate harasses females in the Gaming industry (females such as Giant Spacekat´s Brianna Wu for example), something which they did a handful of times throughout their article. But as far as I can tell, they failed to show any actual evidence of this? Well, at least I couldn´t find any evidence of that in the article. Anyhow, since the whole article is 100% in Swedish. I took the liberty to translate the parts that mentioned #GamerGate. So you will find the English translated text down below (it´s not 100% accurate, as some Swedish words might differ from the English ones).

Swedish to English translation:

“We thought it would be difficult: to pull together a group of high-ranking women in the computer games industry to demonstrate that it is possible to make a career in a traditionally male-dominated world. And getting them to set up on being photographed more than a year after the GamerGate exploded on the net – a storm of hideous harassment of women in the gaming industry that eventually was discussed even in the world’s largest news media, far beyond the screens.

That several of them in addition bear a heavy responsibility to complete the game that is about to be released decreased the likelihood that they would have time for us – exactly the same time.”

To write Feminist Frequency, founded by Anita Sarkeesian, one of the targets of the worst internet hate the Gamer Gate:

“Stories affect how we see the world around us, and when we virtually have the opportunity to step outside ourselves and embody different creatures’ lives and experiences enhances our empathy and understanding for other people.”

Brianna Wu was another of those subjected to hate campaigns and direct threats. Ahead of the first anniversary of Gamer Gate last summer, she put the finger on the most crucial in this context:

“My biggest fear is that I in five years might still have to talk about gender rather than on the games I do.” – Anita Sarkeesian

“Despite GamerGate was sickening to many of those involved, the ensuing discussion yielded some positive effects. It has been a wakeup call for many companies.

“More people have become aware of the problem. The climate has improved. The gender issue has been disseminated throughout the organization, “says Paulina Davidsson, HR director at Avalanche Studios.

She believes, like his colleagues at Di Weekends photography, gaming companies are not good enough to talk about their corporate culture – that it does not reflect the games.

“We do not write anymore recruitment ads is to get copies of those already working here. We quote but do not take in all the girls who are looking at the interview and give them a chance to introduce themselves as there may be a difference in how boys and girls writing CVs, “says Paulina Davidsson.

You know, as I´ve read through weekend.di´s article. I can´t help to wonder why they didn´t state that #GamerGate had received bomb threats at their meet up in Washington DC and Miami for example? (the article are quite one-sided I have to say) And personally, I don´t think that talent is based on gender (nor that you should ever hire anyone solely based on their gender). I mean, either you have talent, or you don´t. You simply hire the person that´s best suitable for the job in question (no matter the gender, race or sexual orientation).

With that said, what do you guys and girls think about weekend.di´s article? Was it fair and balanced? Or was it one-sided? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section down below.

Source:
weekend.di

***Disclaimer***
This is a personal opinion of the writer, and it doesn’t necessarily represent the other writers (nor The Gaming Ground´s) opinions.

Robin “V-Act” Ek
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @TheGamingGround