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Microsoft Actually Had Erotic Schoolgirl Dancers at its GDC Party [Up: MS Responds]

C

chaobreaker

Member
http://www.craveonline.com/entertai...-actually-erotic-schoolgirl-dancers-gdc-party

This has been blowing up on my timeline.

In a news story beamed in straight from the '90s/early '00s, Microsoft has reportedly decided that the best way to represent its brand at GDC is to hire dancers dressed as "erotic schoolgirls," because apparent no one in this particular planning committee had the wherewithal to prevent this clearly awful idea.

The dancers were reportedly present at a party organized by Microsoft for GDC 2016, with many attendees on Twitter reporting their disappointment at their presence.
Click to expand...

Pretty dumb coming from the same company that hosted a "Women in Games" luncheon on the same event. One step forward, two steps back.

Update:

Microsoft responds:

At Xbox-hosted events at GDC this past week, we represented Xbox and Microsoft in a way that was not consistent or aligned to our values. It was unequivocally wrong and will not be tolerated. I know we disappointed many people and I’m personally committed to holding ourselves to higher standards. We must ensure that diversity and inclusion are central to our everyday business and core values. We will do better in the future.
Click to expand...
http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/18/11262888/microsoft-gdc-2016-party
 
K

kiguel182

Member
After tons of effort to make game development more welcoming to women and everyone in general they pull something like this. Shameful.
 
C

Cess007

Member
This the part that baffles me more:

apparent no one in this particular planning committee had the wherewithal to prevent this clearly awful idea.
Click to expand...

No one seriously thought: "hmm this might not be a good idea" at Microsoft?
 
K

kewlmyc

Member
Maybe it was also someone's bachelor party? :/

Kinda stupid to hire "exotic" anything at a professional party, unless it's super private and everyone' invited is okay with it.
 
B

Bronetta

Ask me about the moon landing or the temperature at which jet fuel burns. You may be surprised at what you learn.
Absolutely disgusting. The only way I'll forgive MS for this is if they put all their Windows 10 games on Steam.
 
Cardon

Cardon

Member
Weird. Reminds me of the time at GDC when EA party had women in skimpy dresses serving everyone at the food station. Literally had to tell the model looking lady which piece of chicken satay I wanted. Awkward indeed.
 
T

tuxfool

Banned
I bet the organization was outsourced to some events company. It doesn't make it right, but it could account for the apparent tone deafness.
 
V

Velkyn

Member
This has been blowing up my twitter for the last hour or so.

Business Insider reported that the company had sponsored a “Women in Games” lunch earlier in the day.
Click to expand...

SMH. This is absurd.
 
S

SeanTSC

Member
I love smut and I'm a big supporter of it, but there's a time and a place for it.

This was absolutely *not* the time nor the place for it.
 
B

Bright-Light

Member
tuxfool said:
I bet the organization was outsourced to some events company. It doesn't make it right, but it could account for the apparent tone deafness.
Click to expand...

I agree, paid to put on a party.
But surely someone from MS was at the party and could have said "stop dancing, get dressed, here is your money, enjoy the party".
 
WaterAstro

WaterAstro

Member
chadskin said:
Greenberg:

https://twitter.com/aarongreenberg/status/710860279416905728

Really, really stupid.
Click to expand...

RFsO9oh.png
 
B

Blueblur1

Member
tuxfool said:
I bet the organization was outsourced to some events company. It doesn't make it right, but it could account for the apparent tone deafness.
Click to expand...

If that's the case I imagine whoever approved the outsourcing without following up on what was being planned is not going to have a great day today.
 
V

Velkyn

Member
CenturionKei said:
Soundd like my kind of party. Lol cant wait to see Microsoft get so much backlash for a tiny thing like this.
Click to expand...

It's by no means a "tiny thing". MS has been talking up a diverse space in games for the last little bit. This dumps this goodwill out the window. How alienating do you think it is for women there to be subjected to this trash?
 
B

Brian_FETO

Banned
Wow, the elitist and exclusive "games industry" is afraid of women who happen to be erotic dancers that like to wear schoolgirl outfits, as if they don't belong there or something

This is really dumb
 
C

Cess007

Member
tuxfool said:
I bet the organization was outsourced to some events company. It doesn't make it right, but it could account for the apparent tone deafness.
Click to expand...

Shouldn't the outsourced organizers still contact MS to let them know what they will do in the venue? It's not like they can (or should) go on with this without MS previous authorization.

I mean, there's always the case they didn't inform MS about this, but seems improbable that nobody at MS knows.
 
M

MatrixMan.EXE

Member
I've seen and heard much worse at game dev event parties, but considering this is GDC, that's a more than just a little bit tasteless. Jesus.
 
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