Earlier this week, Activision Blizzard was sued by the state of California over widespread abuse and harassment of its employees, particularly women and minorities. The news sparked outrage in the Activision Blizzard gaming community, with players and influencers organizing in-game protests and canceling promotional events. Many current and former employees have also taken to social media to share their experiences and express solidarity with their colleagues.

News of the lawsuit caused so much hurt and anger that key Activision Blizzard executives responded to the controversy in an internal memo to employees. However, these statements contain conflicting messages about whether the allegations are "irresponsible and without merit" or unacceptable conduct that the company should do more to protect its employees.

Yesterday evening, Blizzard's president, J. Allen Brack, sent an internal email to employees. In that memo, Brack stated that the conduct described in the lawsuit is "completely unacceptable" and reiterated that harassment of any kind is unacceptable, while affirming that Blizzard is committed to the safety of its employees and their right to speak up without fear of retaliation.Brack told employees, "If you have any concerns about the conduct described in the lawsuit, please do not contact him, encourage them to contact him directly about their grievances and said he would work to find ways for the company to move forward.

Activision President Rob Kostich also sent an internal email yesterday, stating that the allegations are "deeply concerning" and that "the behavior described does not reflect Activision's values."

While neither email supports the allegations in the lawsuit, both condemn the actions described therein and reaffirm Activision and Blizzard's commitment to employee health and safety. Both are sympathetic to the injuries suffered by their employees and are committed to finding a way forward. [Earlier today, however, another Activision Blizzard executive sent an internal email with a very different tone. Fran Townsend, Activision Blizzard's chief compliance officer (and former Bush-era homeland security advisor), wrote in that email that the lawsuit "presents a distorted and untrue picture of [Activision Blizzard].

And as anecdotal evidence, Townsend recounts her own experience with Activision Blizzard. 'I was convinced that I had joined a company where I would be valued, treated with respect, and given equal opportunities to male employees. For me, this was true for the entire time I worked there."

Townsend, who has only been with the company for four months, discussed Activision Blizzard's various diversity and inclusion initiatives and its commitment to equal treatment of its employees, then segued into the lawsuit: "The terrible conduct of others and the truly meritless and irresponsible lawsuits that have resulted in the loss of all We cannot allow a culture of respect and equal opportunity for our employees to be undermined by the egregious actions of others or, indeed, by meritless and irresponsible lawsuits.

In a tweet that first shared the email, Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier said Townsend's email "has infuriated some Blizzard employees."

Townsend's email is consistent with a statement Activision Blizzard issued to PC Gamer. Since the lawsuit was made public, Activision Blizzard's official stance has been one of vehement denial, even attacking the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing as an "unaccountable state bureaucracy." However, the differing tones of these three emails send very conflicting messages about how Activision Blizzard's leadership feels about the widespread abuse and harassment detailed in the lawsuit.

Townsend's email suggests that Activision Blizzard's track record of equal treatment and safety for its employees has been grossly misrepresented by the lawsuit, in stark contrast to the tone of Brack and Kostich's emails, which make a They make sympathetic promises.

Townsend's email also glosses over the fact that many former Activision Blizzard employees have shared their own experiences of abuse and harassment since news of the lawsuit broke. For example, in the WoW subreddit, players have compiled a list of more than 20 former employees (some of whom just left the company this year) who corroborate the conduct described in the lawsuit and, in a few cases, identify themselves as one of the victims.