Another major California-based video game developer is in the process of initiating a return-to-office order. According to a report by vice† League of Legends developer Riot Games has announced it will require employees to return to its Los Angeles headquarters, while also eliminating requirements for vaccines and masks. Riot also no longer requires regular COVID-19 testing for employees who have not shown proof of vaccination.
The vice report spoke to several current and former Riot employees who expressed anger that the new policy would endanger workers’ health. “It’s a foolish and pointless policy that is being implemented at a bad time and treated with no real guarantee of our safety,” an anonymous employee told vice†
However, despite these concerns, Riot is acting in accordance with state and federal COVID-19 guidelines. California recently dropped its mandate for indoor masking (requiring proof of vaccination or a negative covid test), and other states are following suit.
Last week, Activision Blizzard came under fire after a leaked email to employees of Chief Operating Officer Brian Bulatao revealed that Activision Blizzard would also return to the office without vaccination requirements. After a storm of reactions on social media, including a virtual strikeActivision Blizzard changed its decision, allowing individual studios to create their own vaccination and masking regulations.