Microsoft was heavily criticized on social media for using scantily dressed dancers to spice up the Xbox party that followed the annual Game Developers Conference. The party was organized a few hours after Microsoft’s luncheon for the women in gaming fields.
The Redmond-based company went on to issue a public apology on their blog. It also reproduced Xbox’s head Phil Spencer’s email to the Xbox employees.
“It has come to my attention that at Xbox-hosted events at GDC this past week, we represented Xbox and Microsoft in a way that was absolutely not consistent or aligned to our values. That was unequivocally wrong and will not be tolerated. This matter is being handled internally, but let me be very clear – how we represent ourselves as individuals, who we hire and partner with and how we engage with others is a direct reflection of our brand and what we stand for. When we do the opposite, and create an environment that alienates or offends any group, we justly deserve the criticism,” wrote Spencer, in the email.
The incident came to light after Kamina Vincent, editor at the Tin Man Games, Australia, expressed her displeasure of the experience at the party on Twitter. Soon enough, images and videos of dancers in short skirts and revealing crop tops went viral as angry attendees joined the chorus.
According to an interview with The Hufffington Post, Vincent asked one of the dancers what the latter’s role was at the party. The woman replied that “they had been hired to speak with attendees and encourage them to the dance floor”.
Reportedly, Microsoft had organized parties in the past for which they had hired go-go dancers.
