If all three prominent console manufacturers criticize the Bobby Kotick, CEO of one of the biggest publishers, then that person should resign…

Now, let’s back up because it wasn’t Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa who criticized Bobby Kotick from the big N (we wrote about him the other day that if he couldn’t fix Activision Blizzard’s work culture in a hurry, he would consider leaving…). Nintendo of America’s (NoA) president Doug Bowser sent an email to all employees in the Japanese company’s overseas segment and even informed internal development studios of his opinion, Fanbyte reports.

Bowser writes that he has “followed the latest developments with Activision Blizzard and the ongoing reports of sexual harassment and toxicity at the company.” He called the reports “distressing and disturbing,” adding, “[they] run counter to my values as well as Nintendo’s beliefs, values and policies.” He expects the games industry and all Nintendo partners to raise the bar by creating an open and inclusive workplace.

The NoA president added he had been “in contact with Activision,” and they had “taken action and are assessing others.” Fanbyte pointed out that the email did not elaborate on precisely what the Japanese console maker had done or was considering doing with the big N. What Bowser’s email did mention, however, was that they are working with the Entertainment Software Association (E3’s directors) to “strengthen stances on harassment and abuse in the workplace.” Activision Blizzard and Nintendo are also members of ESA, along with several major publishers, and Bowser said that ESA “must hold its members to the highest standard.”

Has there ever been an example of the head of a major publisher being condemned in some form by ANY major console manufacturer? It may be the first time we have seen this! We’ve previously reported how Jim Ryan (CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment) and Phil Spencer (Xbox CEO) have been critical of Kotick…

Source: PSL