European developers condemn online harassment of games community

The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF), a coalition that includes multiple game developer associations, has released a statement condemning recent attacks and harassment of various women in the games industry.

In an email sent to VG247, Guillaume de Fondaumière, president at EGDF and co-CEO at Quantic Dream provided the following statement on behalf of the EGDF.

"The European Games Developer Federation (EGDF) the umbrella association of GAME, TIGA, SNJV, DEV, Suomen pelinkehittäjät ry, Producentforeningen, Produsentforeningen and Spelplan-ASGD, strongly condemns the extreme attacks on and harassment of anyone based on their gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin, language, disability, political or religious beliefs.

"We are appalled by the recent online assaults against, extreme harassment of and death threats sent to some game developers and gamers. These are criminal acts and their perpetrators should be brought to justice."

The statement follows the recent spike in death threats made against female figures in the games industry, on both development and criticism sides. Such threats have lead to developers leaving their homes and quitting the games industry in some cases. Others, such as the ones targeted at critic Anita Sarkeesian were just as intimidating.