There was a fair amount of controversy surrounding a party that occured at the close of the Game Developer's Conference last week, which resulted in two figures resigning from their positions as board members of the International Game Developer's Association, Darius Kazemi, and perhaps more notably, Brenda Romero.
The party, hosted by developer YetiZen, is at the middle of the controversy. The company's decision to hire a number of dancing girls is at the crux of the debate, and has been criticized as inappropriate.
YetiZen's CEO, Sana Choudary, has penned an official statement responding to the various criticisms, most of the which are over simple technicalities:
* they didn't hire dancers, they hired "avid gamers, who happened to be models, to discuss gaming with the invited guests."
* this was actually YetiZen's first year sponsoring the GDC
Clarification is always welcome, but here are the big points. As Choundary writes, "All entertainment and related promotion was approved by the IGDA prior to the party." The IGDA has since apologized for their part in the event, saying, "We regret that the IGDA was involved in this situation. We do not condone activities that objectify or demean women or any other group of people. One of the core values of the IGDA is encouraging inclusion and diversity. Obviously we need to be more vigilant in our efforts."
Furthermore, YetiZen's statement claims that the two members who resigned from their positions as a result of the party, weren't even in attendance at said party. Now, no matter what your personal politics are, shouldn't you at least bear witness to the event you claim is at the root of your resignation?
It's going to be very difficult for Romero and her supporters to continue to accuse ZeniMax of sexism once you read CEO's personal experience with it. At the very least, it'll be interesting to watch these two go back and forth.