Riot Games Settles 2018 Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

Riot Games, the behemoth developers behind League of Legends, VALORANT, and Teamfight Tactics, has agreed to pay a $100 million settlement with the California Labor Departments in their lawsuit surrounding gender discrimination.

The suit, "McCracken vs Riot Games", has been ongoing since 2018, after multiple allegations of gender discrimination in the workplace - including several cases of sexual harassment - were reported in a class act. 

Riot Games Agree $100,000,000 Lawsuit Settlement

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According to an official Riot Games press release, the California-based company will be paying the nine-figure fee for cases dating back to 2014. The statement also revealed that $80 million will be paid directly to all of the "current and former full-time employees and temporary agency contractors in California who identify as women and worked anytime from November 2014 to present."

A further $20 million will cover all additional expenses and attorneys' fees throughout the lawsuit.

The settlement comes just a few months after another developing giant, Activision, have also been smacked with a lawsuit for gender discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace, setting the precedent of what could come for the minds behind the Call of Duty and Overwatch franchises.

A "Great Day For Riot Games Women" Heard, Says Lawsuit Counsel

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Following the settlement, Genie Harrison, the plaintiff’s counsel, said, "This is a great day for the women of Riot Games – and for women at all video game and tech companies – who deserve a workplace that is free of harassment and discrimination. 

"We appreciate Riot’s introspection and work since 2018 toward becoming a more diverse and inclusive company, its willingness to take responsibility for its past, and its commitment to continued fairness and equality in the future."

Alongside the payment in damages, Riot Games has also been forced to create 40 full-time jobs within their ranks for members of the class act that wish to return to work within the industry, as well as set aside $6 million for the next three years to combat any necessary pay adjustments on the road to equality. 

The developers will also be required to hire two third-party individuals to pioneer their gender-equality analysis and audit compliance, who will oversee the changes made by Riot.

With the settlement now closed, it marks a great day for women within gaming and esports, who continue to make strides within the industry.