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LOS ANGELES (AP) — riot gamesThe publisher behind esports giant “League of Legends” has agreed to pay $100 million Monday night to settle a class action lawsuit filed over allegations of pay inequality, gender discrimination and sexual harassment.
The lawsuit was filed in November 2018 after gaming website Kotaku published a story detailing a sexist culture based in Los Angeles. riot games It included women being ignored for promotions, unwanted sexual advances, and men questioning women about the legitimacy of video game fandoms. Other former employees later came forward with similar allegations.
The California Department of Fair Employment said the lawsuit would fix violations against more than 1,000 female employees and 1,300 female contract workers. Riot also agreed to improve conditions and provide a fairer workplace for female employees and applicants.
“I am very happy that we have taken this first step towards justice for women. riot gamesFormer employee and plaintiff Jes Negron said in a statement. “I hope this case sets an example for other studios and inspires women in the industry in general. Women in the gaming industry don’t have to suffer inequality and harassment in silence – change is possible.”
“League of Legends” is the most popular esports in the world and riot games It manages 12 professional international leagues. The publisher said in November that the player base of games in the “League of Legends” universe exceeded 180 million players per month.
The lawsuit, filed in November 2018, alleged equal pay violations, gender discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation against female employees. A $10 million settlement was reached in December 2019, but two California agencies – the Fair Employment and Housing and Labor Standards Practice departments – opposed it, believing it was rushed.
The new attorney was hired, and a little over two years later, Monday’s settlement was announced by Riot and the plaintiffs’ new attorneys.
Riot agreed to hire a third-party expert to do equity analysis of employment practices, ensure payment transparency, and set up a $6 million cash reserve to fund diversity, equity and inclusion programs over the next three years, among other changes.
Riot said in a statement that the company was “at the heart of what has become a showdown in our industry” and “has not always been up to our values.”
“We hope this agreement properly acknowledges those who have had negative experiences at Riot and demonstrates our willingness to set an example in bringing greater accountability and equity to the gaming industry,” he said. “
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