Riot Games Agrees To Pay $10 Million To Settle Sexual Harassment And Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

In August 2018, Kotaku published an article that exposed the rampant “bro culture”, sexual, harassment, and gender discrimination happening within Riot Games’ walls. The studio was consequently served with a class-action lawsuit in November 2018 which they agreed to settle in August this year. The LA Times has just revealed the details of the settlement.

Riot Games has agreed to pay $10 million to approximately 1,000 women who worked at the studio from November 2014 until the date that the settlement is finalized. The actual amount that each entitled female employee will receive will depend on their length of employment with Riot. Riot made over $1 billion last year so $10 million shouldn’t be a problem for the studio.

The money, however, is just part of the settlement agreement. Riot Games will also be required to enact policies that will improve the company culture and better programs for reporting discrimination and sexual harassment cases. The studio will also be obligated to review their pay, promotion, and hiring practices ensure fairness and transparency, hire a dedicated Chief Diversity Officer, and establish employee groups to monitor the effects of the said policies.

“We’re pleased to have a proposed settlement to fully resolve the class action lawsuit,” says Riot. “The settlement is another important step forward, and demonstrates our commitment to living up to our values and to making Riot an inclusive environment for the industry’s best talent.”

Both parties have agreed to the details of the settlement and are now waiting on the approval of the court.