Game Developer Association Condemns Harassment, Offers Help to Targeted Devs

The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Board of Directors has issued the following statement condemning the recent harassment of game developers and other people in the games industry:

"Over the last several weeks, game developers and affiliates have been the subject of harassment and 'doxxing' attacks, including threats and posting of home addresses. While we support diverse viewpoints and healthy debate on the issues within our industry, we condemn personal attacks such as these which are not only morally reprehensible, but also illegal in many countries. We call on the entire game community to stand together against this abhorrent behavior."

In addition, the IGDA is working on offering resources that can help game developers who are being targeted.

"With over 120 chapters worldwide, one of the most important things the IGDA can do is to continue to serve its key role as a spokesperson for the community," IGDA executive director Kate Edwards told Gamasutra. "We are also working with IGDA members to provide developers with a specific means to seek support and counseling in the event of harassment or other issues."

The IGDA is currently in the process of developing content for the Resource Center on its website that will help developers respond to the issue, but for now it has some basic advice it recommends developers follow. It suggests that developers should report any threats they receive immediately, that developers not respond to harassers directly, and that they seek support from family and friends in addition to the IGDA. Finally, the IGDA suggests that developers don't internalize the threats, as many of them are coming from people with personal, mental health, or social adjustment issues.

"Developers have a place to get the information they need, find support from peers and colleagues and know they are not alone as they cope with any issue," Edwards said. "We encourage the community to reach out to us when they have a need."

IGDA's statement comes after a troubling couple of weeks that saw the developers of Fez and Depression Quest hacked, a bomb threat to a plane carrying Sony Online Entertainment's president, and death threats to Feminist Frequency creator Anita Sarkeesian.