Geoff Keighley Finally Speaks Out About Activision Blizzard
The time has come, as the Game Awards' Geoff Keighley has finally addressed the elephant in the room and those shocking Activision Blizzard accusations. Now, the video game bigwig has clarified whether the shamed publisher will be a part of The Game Awards' upcoming ceremony.
Earlier this year, shocking claims of sexual assault and abuse from within the gaming giant came to light. Since then, things have snowballed, while CEO Bobby Kotick has refused to step down. The big three of Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft have all said their bit, however, Keighley has been ominously quiet.
What Has Geoff Keighley Said About Activision Blizzard?
Only recently, Keighley was called out for suggesting he won't take sides in the ongoing legal minefield. Many slammed him for not standing by the victims of these allegations - especially considering his power in the industry. With 2021's The Game Awards just around the corner, Keighley has finally confirmed what's going on.
During a long Twitter thread, Keighley explained, "Beyond its nominations, I can confirm that Activision Blizzard will not be a part of this year’s Game Awards.
"The Game Awards is a time of celebration for this industry, the biggest form of entertainment in the world. There is no place for abuse, harassment or predatory practices in any company or any community.
"I also realise we have a big platform which can accelerate and inspire change. We are committed to that, but we all need to work together to build a better and a more inclusive environment, so everyone feels safe to build the world’s best games. All of us are accountable to this standard.
"Incredible games – and the talented developers who build them – are who we want to celebrate. See you on Thursday." The news has been welcomed by many who criticised Keighley for his seemingly indecisive stance on the debacle.
What's Going On With Activision Blizzard?
Things came to a head during an interview with The Washington Post, where Keighley seemed to waver between allegiances. Keen not to rock the boat, he said, "We want to support employees and developers. We have to think very carefully about how to proceed here."
Typically, The Game Awards has been a huge night for developers to announce what they're working on next. Call of Duty: Vanguard is just out of the gate, so it would've been foolish to expect something on the rumoured Modern Warfare 2, however, with things going stale on Overwatch 2, some sort of announcement on the hero shooter might've seemed likely.
Last year, The Last of Us Part 2 was the big winner at The Game Awards, but in 2021, things are looking promising for the likes of Resident Evil Village and It Takes Two.
Activision Blizzard is getting the nod for Call of Duty: Warzone in the Best Ongoing Game category, as well as the franchise at large being nominated for Best Esports Game. Whether Activision Blizzard wins or not, there's a dark cloud hanging over this year's proceedings.