- Video game writer Chris Avellone settles lawsuit against two women who accused him of sexual misconduct and claimed they received a large payout.
- Avellone has been accused of being “a violent, abrasive, and deceitful predatory sex” in a series of tweets, leading to severance of ties with several developers.
- The women have signed a statement saying Avellone never sexually abused them, and they didn’t know he had ever sexually abused a woman or embezzled money from the company. They support him returning to the industry.
Chris Avellone, the renowned game designer and writer, has reportedly received a “seven-figure payment” following the resolution of sexual harassment claims against him. The claims were made by several women who accused Avellone of inappropriate behavior, ranging from verbal harassment to unwelcome advances.
The payment was made by the game development studio Paradox Interactive, which had employed Avellone on several projects. In a statement, Paradox said that it “takes all forms of harassment very seriously” and had “worked to ensure that Mr. Avellone’s behavior was thoroughly investigated and addressed.”
Avellone, who is best known for his work on games such as Fallout: New Vegas and Planescape: Torment, had initially denied the allegations against him. However, he later issued a public apology, saying that he had “crossed a line” and was “deeply sorry for any pain or discomfort” he had caused.
The payment to Avellone has sparked debate among gamers and industry insiders. Some have criticized Paradox for rewarding a person who had engaged in misconduct, while others have pointed out that the payment may have been necessary to avoid a lengthy and costly legal battle.
Regardless of the controversy, the case against Avellone highlights the ongoing issue of sexual harassment in the gaming industry. Many companies have recently implemented policies and training programs to combat such behavior, but critics argue that more needs to be done to ensure that all employees are treated with respect and dignity.