Last week, Eurogamer reported on issues at the heart of veteran British games publisher Team17, which has recently been attempting to handle the fall out from its cancelled NFT project. The report, which includes interviews with many Team17 staffers, exposed poor pay and accusations of sexual harassment, and also highlighted the questionable management of Group CEO Debbie Bestwick.
It has now been reported that Team17 CEO Michael Pattison held a company-wide 'virtual meeting' with staff last Friday that lasted for around 20 minutes. Details of what was discussed in this meeting have been communicated to our friends at Eurogamer, and it seems that former PlayStation man Pattison is focused on fixing things:
I'm committed to taking action, I won't brush over anything that was said or ignore any of the points being made. It will all be thoroughly investigated, you have my guarantee on that.
Pattison also added that "an extensive review of how we build a business that better supports its employees" will be undertaken, and that Team17 had to "take a good, long, hard look at itself and what it wants its culture to be, and how it will build towards that, and protect it". A review of pay levels was also promised, and how the company handles bonuses will also be reviewed, following complaints that they were slashed last year even though Team17 posted bumper profits.
The high volume of titles being published by the company was also addressed:
We're struggling. As we grow there is always going to be an increasing need to sign potentially more titles - or refocus and sign higher quality titles with more commercial potential. And that's my focus. I'm trying to improve that ratio, I don't want to see us on a continual treadmill of just filling the pipe.
On the topic of sexual harassment, Pattison claimed that the studio had a zero-tolerance policy, but was open to the fact that improvements needed to be made. "We need to create a safe space where people can bring things to our attention," he said.
Interestingly, Pattison only very briefly touched upon the topic of NFTs, which was arguably the catalyst for the original Eurogamer report. He did say, however, that the much-maligned MetaWorms project was "totally outside of the principles and values we have as a company," which makes you wonder how it got as far as it did without being challenged.
Pattison also neglected to discuss the management of Team17 owner and Group CEO Debbie Bestwick.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 20
"accusations of sexual harassment" is like a staple for gaming companies nowadays?
WELL I BLOODY HOPE SO.
Hmm, isn't it interesting how companies always promise change when it becomes public knowledge?
Also I always get a laugh when I hear that the people in charge of all the horror claim that they'll "investigate it".
Perhaps I'll ask my cats to guard the fish tonight.
Committed to taking action. Hollow words if you don't actually DO anything. It's better to say you're already on the case, instead of saying something so generic.
Oh would you look at that, after a report shows up, they actually have a statement to make, how convenient. 😃. What happened to you team 17, how far you've fallen.
Watch and wait. Judge later. That is all I have to say right now.
Wow, they talked for a WHOLE 20 minutes?
Oh wait, the report states "around" 20 minutes. Yeah, really seems like this is all being taken very seriously.
I'm playing crown trick atm and honestly when I see the team 17 logo come up, it leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. I have to try and separate the art from the artist. I also cant stop myself from thinking that this game was probably created under horrible working conditions (most games probably are tbh).
Failing to talk about Debbie Bestwick makes this feel a bit hollow.
“I will personally ensure every employee who spoke out will be fired.”
I’ve never understood how a studio which has pretty much only ever released Worms (again and again and again) has such prominence. They’re garbage.
It’s almost as if the NFT idea was stupid. If you have nothing to back them then why would anyone buy an NFT even if they weren’t against them? Just going to buy a jpeg for 50 bucks and have nothing to use it in. Big brain.
@VoodooTrumpet Team 17 is more of a publisher than a development studio these days. And Worms is only the tip of the iceberg - Overcooked is probably their biggest seller these days.
As someone who trends optimistic, this seems hopeful. If you are working in a toxic environment, it is often far easier to speak anonymously to a third party, like the media, than blow the whistle internally. Sometimes it takes a third party to lance the boil, as otherwise people might not dare speak up or feel it is hopeless to do so. Once stuff is out in the open, then work can begin to tackle the culture.
Hmmm I wonder what would happen if I make a publishing company?🤔
Nah that sounds stupid 😑
“totally outside of the principles and values we have as a company”
That’s what I like to hear about NFTs.
Hollow words unless sweeping actions happen immediatley this means absolutely garbage talk.
team 17 had seemingly unlimited good will from me because of worms as long as they didnt f it up.
they fd it up.
I bet it was laylee flying up & holding a camera
Are we boycotting Ubisoft still? Oh wait...if a company supports the Switch we ignore it. If they make just a few games we act tough and boycott. 🤣
I will forgive them if they release worms armageddon on the switch.
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