IGDA: Nintendo is oblivious to consequences of Rapp sacking

The International Game Developers Association has criticised Nintendo for the timing of its sacking of Alison Rapp.

Rapp was fired last week after a prolonged online hate campaign. Rapp stated that Nintendo told her she was no longer a good, safe representative of Nintendo”, although the platform holder insisted that the decision had nothing to do with the online criticism and was instead due to violation of internet company policy involving holding a second job in conflict with Nintendo’s corporate culture”.

Now VentureBeat reports that IGDA executive director Kate Edwards is concerned about the message the dismissal conveys.

While Nintendo’s official statement on the matter of Alison Rapp’s firing strives to distance the company from anything related to the orchestrated online campaign of harassment and defamation that was raging against her, their timing in dealing with the issue is dubious at best,” she stated.

Unfortunately, the company seems oblivious to the consequences of their actions, not realizing the perceived victory it handed to the online hate groups who are now pursuing the dismissal of other women game developers by derision and defamation to their companies.

By now, we would expect that all game development and publishing companies would be fully aware of negative social media dynamics and be more discerning of online feedback, as well as more protective of their employees — especially their employees of diverse backgrounds. Many have become proactive and aware but this industry obviously needs to make more progress.”