In a series of tweets, Mitch Dyer shared his experiences working with both Steve Butts and Tal Blevins during his time at IGN. It seems that Steve Butts and Tal Blevins were a large contributor of workplace toxicity back then. Please note that the following tweets contain harsh language that may be unsuitable for some people:
Solidarity with my IGN coworkers who endured emotional terror from Tal Blevins and Steve Butts. In my time from 2012 to 2016, I felt taken advantage of, exploited and manipulated, and afraid for my job at nearly every turn. And I was one of the "lucky" ones working for them.
— Mitch Dyer (@MitchyD) June 23, 2020
Mitch also stated that when they went out to chase stories, Steve Butts and Tal Blevins would stay on expensive Air BnBs and the other employees would have to share rooms in very cheap motels.
These guys stayed at $3000 Air BnBs while employees shared rooms in roach hotels. When we pushed to have our own rooms (which I'm pretty sure they legally had to oblige?) they told us to deal with it because the company didn't have the money. Bullshit.
— Mitch Dyer (@MitchyD) June 23, 2020
He goes further and talks about one of the articles he was writing where Steve and Tal added gossip to it.
When I reported on Amy leaving Naughty Dog, Steve Butts and Tal Blevins forced gossip into the story. They heard it was a hostile takeover. We didn't want to publish it. I tried to take my name off the story. They would not allow me to do so.
— Mitch Dyer (@MitchyD) June 23, 2020
To Neil Druckmann and Bruce Straley who were caught in the crossfire of IGN's hostile, toxic leadership, I'm so sorry.
I am responsible for the anger, disgust, and disappointment you lived with then, and I'll never forgive myself for buckling beneath these manipulative monsters.
— Mitch Dyer (@MitchyD) June 23, 2020
He closes the series of tweets by saying that he doesn’t have anything against IGN, but only towards Steve Butts and Tal Blevins.
Let me actually end on: IGN fucking rules. I adore those people and that place, and my friends there are SO MUCH HAPPIER now than they were when I was there.
Progress has been made as they rooted out the rot inside. Change is possible.
Never let these motherfuckers win.
— Mitch Dyer (@MitchyD) June 23, 2020
To get the full story, check out Mitch Dyer’s series of tweets.
The Games Industry has been on fire these past few weeks with news about sexual harassment and the review bombing of The Last of Us 2. Both are things that the games industry need to work on. As I was writing this piece, an interesting tweet has found its way to my timeline:
If anybody – anonymous or otherwise – who has been mistreated in this industry would like to DM me for a chat about how things can & should change for a piece by @2plus2isjoe and I, my DMs are open.
— Lucy O'Brien (@Luceobrien) June 23, 2020
The tweet talks about the games industry. The reception thus far has been positive, with people being delighted that someone has finally taken action to write about it.
