Brianna Wu, the head of Boston-based development studio Giant Spacekat, has responded to death threats that drove her from her home by saying she won't be forced out of the industry by bullying.
"I am not going to get bullied out of this industry by some people that are this threatened by women that just want to sit here and make video games. It is ridiculous," Wu told CNN.
This comes after Wu was sent violent, graphic threats on Twitter targeting her and her husband, with the offender also making mention of Wu's home address.
"The police just came by. Husband and I are going somewhere safe. Remember, #gamergate isn't about attacking women," Wu tweeted, along with screenshots of the threats.
The Arlington Police Department is investigating the incident, and Wu says she has also been in contact with the FBI.
Wu also claims that hackers tried to access Giant Spacekat's financial accounts on Saturday, but were unsuccessful. The attacks targeted the studio's Apple account, which requires developers publishing on iTunes to supply banking and tax details.
"Apple has been wonderful," Wu told Polygon. "I'm sure when the police contact them for details, they'll find a willing partner to help in the investigation."
Wu has spoken out against the harassment of women in the videogame industry in the past, and reiterated those thoughts in her interview with CNN.
"You have players which are taking in these unconscious messages - women are not welcome here, this is our turf, this is our space - and then as a result of that we have a very hostile culture toward women," she said.
This is the latest in a string of attacks targeting women in the games industry, with Depression Quest creator Zoe Quinn and Anita Sarkeesian, the creator of the Tropes vs Women in Video Games video series, being similarly attacked in recent months.
NZGamer.com
source: newshub archive
