Intel Pulls Ads Under Pressure From "Gamergate," but Says It Isn't Taking Sides

Earlier this week, the game developer-facing publication Gamasutra confirmed that Intel pulled an ad campaign from its website after it was "flooded with complaints" from the online movement calling itself Gamergate.

Yesterday, the microprocessor company issued a statement saying that it's sticking to its decision to pull the ad campaign, but that it didn't intend to support some of the movement's anti-feminist sentiments.

"We recognize that our action inadvertently created a perception that we are somehow taking sides in an increasingly bitter debate in the gaming community," Intel said. "That was not our intent, and that is not the case. When it comes to our support of equality and women, we want to be very clear: Intel believes men and women should be treated the same. And, diversity is an integral part of our corporate strategy and vision with commitments to improve the diversity of our workforce."

However, while Gamergate claims it's concerned with ethics and integrity in gaming publications, Gamasutra seems to have been targeted specifically to silence its editor-at-large Leigh Alexander because of her recent article, which criticized the movement and the term "gamer" in general.

"While we respect the right of individuals to have their personal beliefs and values, Intel does not support any organization or movement that discriminates against women," Intel said. "We apologize and we are deeply sorry if we offended anyone."