Microsoft has been forced to apologise after it hosted an XBox party for computer games developers that featured female go-go dancers in short skirts and crop tops girating on podiums, in a scene which would not been put of place in an Austin Powers movie.
To make matters worse, the event in San Francisco was held on the same day as a Microsoft-sponsored “women in games” lunch.
Microsoft’s Xbox chief Phil Spencer was more than a little red faced, after attendees took to social media to complain, admitting that it was “unequivocally wrong”.
In a staff email, also published online, Spencer wrote: “It has come to my attention that at Xbox-hosted events at GDC [Game Developers Conference] this past week, we represented Xbox and Microsoft in a way that was absolutely not consistent or aligned to our values.
“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.”
Kamina Vincent, an editor at the Tin Man Games studio, based in Australia, tweeted: “I like dancing, I like talking to dev[eloper]s. But not at this party. Thanks for pushing me out of this party, Microsoft.”
However, not everyone was offended. Gerris Digital responded: “Go-go dancers are not strippers,” although the chances of this being written by a woman are remote at best.