Gaming and Entertainment Companies Respond After Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade
Following the Supreme Court’s decision this morning to overturn the groundbreaking abortion decision, Roe v. Wade, video game and entertainment companies are beginning to oppose the ruling and support reproductive freedom.
Bungie said it had previously issued a statement of support when the decision was leaked prematurely in May. Updated blog post Regarding the subject matter to be announced, it was announced that employees and their dependents were implementing a travel compensation program to access assisted reproductive technology that may not be available in the state.
Previously, Bungie donated to charities such as URGE (Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equality), Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation, In Our Own Voice, and Trans Lifeline to support essential healthcare rights. I also encouraged viewers to do so. ..
Bungee CEO Pete Parsons also tweeted about this decision:
“Today is a difficult day for our country. Good people are hurt by this decision. Bungies protect our people and help them lead a happy and healthy life. I will do whatever I can. “
Today is a difficult day for our country. Good people will be hurt by this decision. Bungee does everything possible to protect people and help them lead a happy and healthy life.
— Pete Parsons (@pparsons) June 24, 2022
Bungee is not the only one to speak. Insomniac Games also tweeted a statement saying, “We are game makers. Reproductive freedom and physical independence are human rights.”
— Insomniac Games (@insomniacgames) June 24, 2022
Sony Santa Monica tweeted a few hours later as well. “We believe that physical independence and freedom of reproduction are fundamental human rights. Santa Monica Studio will continue to adhere to these values and help team members receive the care they need.”
— Santa Monica Studio – God of War Ragnarok (@SonySantaMonica) June 24, 2022
Naughty Dog, Guerrilla, Bend Studio, and Sucker Punch also spoke in similar terms.
— Naughty Dog (@Naughty_Dog) June 24, 2022
— Bend Studio has been adopted! (@BendStudio) June 24, 2022
— Sucker Punch Productions 🎮 Ghost of Tsushima (@SuckerPunchProd) June 24, 2022
— Guerrilla (@Guerrilla) June 24, 2022
These statements are noteworthy given the stance of their (and soon Bungie’s) parent company Sony when the draft opinion was first leaked earlier this year. At the time, PlayStation president Jim Ryan reportedly asked PlayStation employees to “respect disagreements” and discouraged the in-house studio from making public statements. Insomniac pushed back in-house, with both Insomniac and PlayStation donating $ 50,000 each to the Women’s Reproductive Rights Support Project (WRRAP).
Among us, developer Innersloth also participates in links to many organizations that provide reproductive and essential health care, along with its own statement.
“Innerthros supports reproductive choice and freedom. The end of the constitutional right to abortion is a disaster of gender, race, economy, and human rights for both current and future generations. Supporters. And there are so many local organizations. If possible, lend them your voice, time, actions, money, or privileges. We stand with everyone affected. “
💙
🔹 Abortion Fund (split btwn 80+ diff fund): https://t.co/vf0taWU7w4
🔹TheBrigidAlliance: https://t.co/WOE61Szauv
🔹 Trance Lifeline: https://t.co/14SkEGJvuf
🔹 In our own voice: https://t.co/9Wl4xuoQin
🔹 Plan C: https://t.co/WBwtXg1JNx pic.twitter.com/OB2zT8ORE9— Innersloth (@InnerslothDevs) June 24, 2022
Game publishers such as Card Shark, Inscryption, and Death’s Door, Devolver Digital, shared the following short statement:
— Devolver Digital (@devolverdigital) June 24, 2022
In addition to individual studios and publishers, the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) has issued a statement with a list of proposed resources for reproductive rights, care, and support. This includes the Reproductive Rights Center, Human Rights Watch, and Plans. Custody, National Women’s Education Center, and United States. The statement is:
The International Game Developers Association helps and empowers game developers around the world to achieve a fulfilling and sustainable career. We believe that physical independence and choices for our own reproductive and health care issues are appropriate to accomplish this mission. To manage your career and life well, you need to manage your health problems.
As a global organization, we understand that not all individuals experience or have access to the freedoms and freedoms associated with physical autonomy, and we oppose efforts to undermine existing freedoms. We are deeply concerned about increasing government interventions that undermine and limit reproductive choices and access to care. We applaud and show solidarity to the leaders of the gaming industry and community who are taking action to help all those who are adversely affected by these attempts.
In the technology arena, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has released a statement from Apple confirming that the benefits support employees seeking assisted reproductive technology that may not be available in their home country.
Regarding Apple’s decision: “We uphold the employee’s right to make their own decisions regarding reproductive health. For over a decade, Apple’s comprehensive benefits have allowed employees to stay in their home state. Even if it wasn’t available, I was able to go out of state and get medical care. “
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) June 24, 2022
Games aren’t the only ones taking action. Major entertainment companies haven’t issued a statement so far, but there are reports that many have issued statements to their employees and are providing healthcare support.
according to Hollywood Reporter, Netflix offers a $ 10,000 lifetime allowance for travel refunds, especially for gender-verifying care and abortion. In an email to employees, Paramount CEO Bob Bakish said that the company’s health policy includes compensation for travel-related costs “if eligible medical services such as abortion are prohibited in your area.” I was reminded that I was doing it. Warner Bros. Discovery also provides medical benefits to “include the costs of employees and their families who need to travel to access a variety of medical procedures, including abortion care, family planning, and assisted reproductive technology.” It seems to be expanding.
For each variety report On the same topic, Meta, Sony, and Conde Nast are offering or considering travel refunds as well. And Disney has expressed its commitment to employees to provide access to family and reproductive care “wherever they live.”
Given what many have said when the draft opinion was first leaked, it seems likely that other gaming and entertainment companies are receiving public support as well. We will continue to update this article with more problem statements.
Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN.She can be found on twitter @duckvalentine..
