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Some of you might know who I might be by context. What Sol speaks is truth, and I lived through it. Let’s call myself “Jane Doe”, this HR Person “Bob”, and the studio “The Studio.” When Jane first started to work at The Studio, she was very excited, as it was her first job in AAA https://twitter.com/wuffles/status/1275481914200092672
games. Her long time dream was being fulfilled! Bob was incredibly welcoming and attentive to Jane. Bob had shown enthusiasm in Jane’s employment, and her fresh start in the state of California. Bob had mentioned that Jane was “special”, “different”, and that he
“saw potential” in her. Bob had made the habit of taking Jane out to eat after work, and he would show her all the best local spots for food and entertainment. Jane and Bob would hold hands, and Bob would encourage Jane to speak about intimate topics, or family traumas. Bob and
Jane’s relationship developed into intimacy, and a non-comittal dynamic where Bob saw himself as a life mentor for Jane. But Bob’s dynamic quickly turned toxic, unstable, and ultimately, incredibly damaging to Jane’s well being and mental health. Bob would lead Jane into empty
conference rooms, and try to start physical contact. Jane was not comfortable with this, and had asked Bob to stop. Bob would continue to try this regardless. Bob would talk to Jane about what he liked and didn’t like in bed, and suggested that Jane take a
Plan B for one “fun” night. Bob would insist that Jane stay at his hotel room during events like GDC. Lastly, when Jane decided that this was no longer a healthy dynamic, she told Bob in writing and in person that she no longer wanted to have an intimate relationship.
Despite this Bob pushed for intimacy regardless, and Jane would feel forced to comply. Jane felt emotionally weak, like she had no agency, and was constantly gas-lighted by Bob when she would bring up things Bob did that made her uncomfortable or hurt her.
“This relationship was your choice,” “I'm only doing what’s good for you.” Ultimately, Jane does not know if Bob had any influence in the end of Jane employment at Insomniac. But leaving that studio was the best thing that could have happened to her.
Today, Jane is clear that The Studio was aware of Bob’s actions, but waited till the end of merge with Sony to try to handle this situation. She still hurts for the young women after her who had horrible experiences with Bob,
and are too afraid to speak up because they’re afraid to lose their job. I fought as much as I could, and I’ll be considered a coward for not stating Jane’s name. But, to the women at The Studio who fear this:
what worth is it staying in a studio that’s never had your back to begin with? #BeGreater #Metoomovement
S. Jane does want to add that Bob clearly stated to her that no one should know about the quality of their relationship. Bob would love to talk about his influence in hiring and nurturing talent, and would tell Jane
that he was the one who could "fire or hire." Jane knows that this was always a reminder of a threat if she said anything, and would tell Jane that, if anyone found out, she would be ruined.
