Peter Adkison Launches New Company with Extremely Tasteless Logo
Peter Adkison was once CEO of Wizards of the Coast, and now owns the company that runs Gen Con. His newest company is called Hostile Work Environment, and has something to do with making videos about role-playing games. And, apparently, workplace shootings.
I love Hostile Work Environment as a company name. I find that hilarious. If the figure in the logo was holding a sword or an axe, it would be great. A gun? I’m guessing you want your logo to bring to mind the fun and adventure of RPGs. All it makes me think of are the countless workplace shootings that crop up in the news week after week.
There are more than 500 workplace shootings in the U.S. every year. Statistically, it’s not exactly a scourge sweeping the nation. But they’re particularly horrific events. I’m pretty sure everyone has had that moment of concern about the creepy guy who got fired last week returning to have his revenge. Not exactly cheery thoughts.
I’m not offended, really, and I’m not worried that workplace shooting survivors are going to be traumatized by a company logo (there’s always going to be something around that reminds us of unpleasant things). This just seems like a hefty dose of WTF in a place where it isn’t really warranted.
As for the company itself, it plans to “bring life to roleplaying games, not by publishing them, but by filming, narrating, and illustrating them online, engaging and interacting with audiences worldwide.”
Ok.
August 1st, 2012 7:22 PM
Maybe it’s Shadowrun?