Square Enix Unveils New Policy to Safeguard Staff from Toxic Fans

Summary

• Square Enix has implemented a comprehensive anti-harassment policy to safeguard its employees and partners.
• The policy clearly defines what constitutes harassment, including threats of violence, defamation, and more.
• Square Enix reserves the right to deny services and pursue legal action against those who engage in harassing behavior.

Square Enix has introduced a robust anti-harassment policy designed to protect its employees and partners from harmful behavior. This policy meticulously outlines what Square Enix considers to be harassment and details the actions the company will take in response to such incidents.

In today's interconnected world, where online interactions are commonplace, threats and harassment have unfortunately become prevalent within the gaming industry. Notable incidents include death threats directed at the actress portraying Abby in The Last of Us 2 and Nintendo canceling a live event due to threats from a so-called Splatoon fan. Square Enix is now taking proactive measures to shield its personnel from similar threats.

The policy, clearly stated on the Square Enix website, reflects the company's firm stance against harassment directed at any of its employees or partners, ranging from support staff to top executives. While Square Enix values feedback from its fans and customers, it firmly states that harassment is unacceptable. The policy delineates specific behaviors that are considered harassment, such as threats of violence, defamation, obstruction of business, and trespassing, among others.

Square Enix Anti-Harassment Policy

Harassment:

• Acts of violence or violent behavior
• Abusive language, intimidation, coercion, duress, excessive pursuit or reprimand
• Defamation/slander, denial of personality, personal attacks (including via email, contact forms, comments, or posts on the internet), advance notice of wrongdoing, or obstruction of business
• Persistent inquiries or repeated visits
• Trespassing by visiting or staying in an office or related facility without permission
• Unlawful restraint, including via telephone calls and online inquiries
• Discriminatory speech and conduct related to race, ethnicity, religion, family origin, occupation, etc.
• Infringement of privacy through unauthorized photography or video recording
• Sexual harassment, stalking, and repeated stalking behavior

Undue Demand:

• Unreasonable requests for product changes or exchanges, or monetary compensation
• Unreasonable demands for apologies or responses, including face-to-face interactions or specifying the position of Square Enix's employees or partners
• Excessive requests for products and services beyond socially accepted norms
• Unreasonable and excessive demands for punitive actions against Square Enix employees

The implementation of such a policy has become essential for game developers like Square Enix, as the industry has seen a rise in hostile behavior from some gamers. This includes severe cases such as the backlash against Sena Bryer, the voice actor for Wuk Lamat in Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail, due to transphobic sentiments. Additionally, Square Enix has faced multiple death threats against its staff in 2018, with one such incident related to gacha mechanics leading to an arrest in 2019. The company also had to cancel a tournament in 2019 due to threats similar to those recently faced by Nintendo.

By establishing this anti-harassment policy, Square Enix aims to create a safer and more respectful environment for its employees and partners, emphasizing that such behavior will not be tolerated and may result in legal action.