Riot Games Promises They're Better Now. Really.

It’s hard to keep track of time these days, with the world collapsing on itself, but as a reminder, it’s been a full year since Kotaku revealed that Riot Games, the developer behind the popular MOBA League of Legends, was a misogynistic, elitist pile of garbage. Riot Games has apologized publically and vowed to improve themselves, but the news stories to follow – which included trying to settle court cases dubiously and refusing to punish high-ranking employees who were cited as problematic – have always rendered these efforts rather insincere.

That said, we are at the anniversary, and Riot just posted a blog authored by their newly-hired diversity officer, Angela Roseboro, on their website detailing all the ways they’ve improved in that time.

“It didn’t take long for me to realize the integrity of the company I was dealing with. Throughout this time, I came to have a deeper appreciation of their motivations, their vision, and their genuine desire to make Riot a place that they, and all Rioters, could be proud of. In so many words, I saw the heart of Riot, and I was hooked. Clearly a little weathered by the months that preceded my joining, I knew that Riot was ready for a transformation. I was ready, and eager, to help lead that charge…

We have made some significant strides over the past year. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the work and dedication of all of our teams. Progress on D&I is about driving meaningful change, not “checking boxes.” The passion and commitment from Rioters over the past year has been phenomenal. All the work that’s been done has been impressive and will serve as a strong foundation for us to continue to build on.”

The blog goes on to list specific steps they’ve taken, from hiring experts, expanding their leadership, building external partners, worked on equal pay, “evolved their culture”, and still didn’t fire the abusive dry-humping executive. Funny, that.

You can give the blog a read yourself. Obviously I’m not exactly sold on it but I will at least acknowledge it’s better than doing literally nothing. So good on you, Riot, for not being as awful as, say, Epic Games.

Who are also awful.