INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightRiot GamesThe maker of League of Legends has agreed to pay a reported $10m (£8m) to settle a broad gender discrimination
Riot Games will pay the money to about a 1,000 female members of staff dating back to 2014, a US newspaper reports.The legal action against
the company was started by two women who filed the lawsuit in November 2018
Riot Games always maintained it was "committed" to creating an environment "where all Rioters thrive."Image copyrightRiot GamesImage
caption
Riot's League of Legends is one of the world's most popular video games
It's estimated that the
multi-million pound settlement will be divided among women who have been employed by Riot Games from November 2014 until the date the
settlement was finalised.League of Legends is one of the world's most popular multiplayer games and attracts large audiences to its e-sports
competitions.Players assume the role of an unseen "summoner" that controls a "champion" and battle against a team of other players or
computer-controlled characters.Image copyrightGetty ImagesA Riot spokesman, Joe Hixson, told the LA Times that the company was pleased to
have a settlement that resolved the lawsuit, calling it an important step that demonstrates their commitment to creating an "inclusive
environment for the industry's best talent." Riot Games - based in Los Angeles - became the focus of complaints about alleged gender bias
late last year after it was announced two female members of staff were launching legal action.It was led by Melanie McCracken - an internal
communications specialist who has worked at the company since 2013, and Jessica Negron - a content editor who quit in 2017 after being
employed for two years.The settlement, which comes with the promise of internal culture change, has yet to be approved by the court.Image
copyrightRiot GamesA 2018 investigation by the LA Times and the news website Kotaku, claimed Riot Games fostered an alleged "bro
culture".The game publisher was accused of fostering an environment where female workers were sexually objectified
Their complaint - which was shared online by Kotaku in November 2018 - made specific claims.These included that female workers had been
sexually objectified, with an email chain rating the company's "hottest women employees", and that female staff had been belittled by
supervisors whose alleged comments included: "Her kids and husband must really miss her while she was at work," and: "She's shrill".Image
copyrightRiot GamesIn a statement released in August Riot Games said it had since made steps to ensure a safe and comfortable working
environment for all its staff
"We are grateful for every Rioter who has come forward with their concerns and believe this resolution is fair for everyone involved," said
Nicolo Laurent, CEO of Riot Games
"With this agreement, we are honoring our commitment to find the best and most expeditious way for all Rioters, and Riot, to move forward
"Over the past year, we've made substantial progress toward evolving our culture and will continue to pursue this work as we strive to be
the most inclusive company in gaming."Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45
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