Imane “Pokimane” Anys (25), one of the largest and most popular streamers on Twitch, wants to boycott Activision Blizzard. In one of her streams, Pokimane watches a statement from a female employee of Activision Blizzard with her viewers and clearly decides that she wants nothing more to do with this company.
What happened at Activision Blizzard?
- Activision Blizzard has been involved in various sexism, drug, and discrimination scandals for months. Female employees have reportedly been sexually harassed and raped. Other employees were said to have taken drugs in the restroom. Men were said to have been favored. More and more news continues to come out, sparking new heated debates.
- Although CEO Bobby Kotick
wanted to change the structures in the company and further emphasize equality, not much has reportedly changed. Men are still said to be favored: Recently, Mike Ybarra and Jennifer Oneal took on equal leadership positions, but Ybarra was reportedly paid better than Oneal. As a result, she left Activision Blizzard. - Recently, “The Game Awards” stated: In 2021, Activision Blizzard was excluded from showcasing their games. They too did not want a place for abuse or harassment.
Pokimane calls for a boycott of Activision Blizzard
Why does Pokimane want to boycott Activision Blizzard? As a woman, she is naturally against unfair treatment of women. She is shocked by the sexual harassment and rapes that are said to have taken place at Activision Blizzard. Pokimane believes: Such things should not be supported.
In a morning stream, the 25-year-old watched a statement from a female employee of Activision Blizzard on Twitter. The employee spoke tearfully about discrimination, sexual harassment, and inappropriate touching.
Pokimane then discussed with her viewers. From 27:52, you can see the relevant part from the Twitch stream.
Clearly shocked and affected, Pokimane planted her hands on her hips and asked:
So are we boycotting Blizzard or what? I want to see if we’re on the same page.
Her chat responded almost unanimously with “yes.” “Overwatch 2, huh?” Pokimane continued sarcastically, “when they come out with new games, believe me, I won’t know what they are. Bro, screw Blizzard.”
Pokimane actually doesn’t want Blizzard games to be streamed
Subsequently, a viewer asked Pokimane what she thought of streamers who still stream Blizzard games. Pokimane’s answer was clear:
If you are a financially stable streamer, you damn well shouldn’t.
However, Pokimane understands the streamers who depend financially on streaming Blizzard games. If their income is based on streaming Activision Blizzard games, that’s okay. But Pokimane added that these streamers should clearly emphasize that they are against “the whole thing with Blizzard.”
Pokimane and most of her viewers are thus strongly positioned against Activision Blizzard. One will probably not discover any more Blizzard games on her channel for the time being.
Editor-in-chief Leya Jankowski and editorial director Gerd Schuhmann talked about the future of Blizzard in the MeinMMO podcast: Does Blizzard have a future? Analysis after the delay of Diablo IV and Overwatch 2
Pokimane and most of her viewers are thus strongly positioned against Activision Blizzard. One will probably not discover any more Blizzard games on her channel for the time being.
Editor-in-chief Leya Jankowski and editorial director Gerd Schuhmann talked about the future of Blizzard in the MeinMMO podcast: Does Blizzard have a future? Analysis after the delay of Diablo IV and Overwatch 2
