Activision Blizzard has a Diversity Space Tool, seemingly unaware that diversity is not a metric

Activision Blizzard is making waves again, with a post on a Diversity Space Tool meant to “uncover unconscious bias by identifying existing norms in representation and acknowledging opportunities for growth in inclusion”. When the post first went out, it was missing this context, though regardless, it’s not That Great even with this additional comment.

The tool is said to be in beta, having been developed b y King alongside MIT Game Lab in 2016 to supplement the work and focus the development teams are putting in to telling diverse stories with diverse characters. The Diversity Space Tool isn’t being used in any active game development, as clarified in an update to the Activision Blizzard post, which makes one wonder if they did have plans to roll it out to active use.

In theory, the tool could have its merits since the need for representation is often banded about. However, creating diverse characters and stories are hardly something you could objectively quantify. How much weight do you give any given ‘category’? Is there a high score to diversity? Why not hire sensitivity readers instead?

People don’t really need more reasons to be weary of Activision Blizzard, getting accused of trying to divert attention from union busting, for one.

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