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Quantic Dream Vs Le Monde / Mediapart
by Solidaires Informatique, May 31 2021

"I'm not under oath, so I can lie, right?" - Guillaume de Fondaumière

The libel trial opposing videog game studio Quantic Dream to newspapers Le Monde and Mediapart was held at the Tribunal de Paris on May 27 and 28. Quantic Dream was suing Le Monde and Mediapart for two articles* describing, among other tings:

- the existence and the distribution within Quantic Dream of racist, homophobic, transphobic, nazi, etc. photoshopped images
- a veritable system of illegal work fraud
- and, in a more general sense, a toxic workplace

During the two-day trial, the management of Quantic Dream reached new heights of arrogance and incompetence. They had come to attack both newspaper, yet they so failed to demonstrate to demonstrate decency and dignity that the trial turned against them.

Here are some highlights from the two long days of this ridiculous trial.

DAVID CAGE stomping, tears streaming down his face, shouting "you're intruding on my business!" and "this trial is attacking my dignity" before fleeing the tribunal and the speech for the defence. It was obvious that it was ironic of Cage to speak of honour while a list of his quotes, allegedly spoken in public, was begin read: "anyway, in all my games, all women are whores", "open-plan workspaces really lack tits", or "at Quantic Dream, we don't make games for faggots".

On the subject of illegal work conditions, Quantic Dream proudly presented documents relating to the dismissal of an employee, supposed to demonstrate the company's good faith. The defence attorneys thank Quantic Dream for presenting such documents, as, after a quick read-over, the documents sheds light on irregularities, thus proving the dismissal as illegal.

Another "notable" moment was one where a dozen of dismissal letters, all identically copied and pasted, saved for the employee's name, all identifying the reason for dismissal as "a difference of vision with the director", including the one dismissing the director GUILLAUME DE FONDAUMIÈRE. De Fondaumière visibly has problems following his own vision.

When asked about the matter, the CEO of Quantic Dream, fresh out of arguments, looked the judges straight in the eye and asked "but, I'm not under oath, therefore I can lie, right?" before listing dubious allegations and implying that Quantic Dream is in grave financial danger, without being able to produce any proof of any losses or any harm.

The cornered CEO's useless flailing could bring a smile to one's face if it didn't highlight the existence of a system of illegal work at Quantic Dream meant to avoid non-wage labour costs.

The witnesses summoned by Quantic Dream, all current or ex-employees of Quantic Dream, didn't fare any better. They sang the praises of Wuantum Dream so loudly and persistently that a judge had to ask them to quit it with the "purple prose".

The staff representatives, asked about the implementation of different measures following the publication of the articles, spoke of "informal meetings" without being able to name any concrete action.

The staff member in charge of harassment in the Social and Economic Committee of Quantic Dream declared having never received notice of any harassment in the company, therefore no harassment can exist within Quantic Dream.

And throughout all this, everyone seems to be discovering new elements of the whole ordeal, from the toxic nature of the photoshopped images to the company's system of fraudulent, illegal work practises.

For Solidaire Informatique, beyond the ludicrous spectacle of seeing Cage and de Fondaumière tripping all over themselves to try and explain their dubious business practises, this trial's importance rests on the dismantling of a chunk of Quantic Dream's far-reaching strategy of rewriting history through intimidation, provokation, lies and legal procedures.

Sentence will be rendered July 8.

In the meantime, we renew our plea for solidarity with the ex-employees that spoke up against Quantic Dream's practises. Edwy Plenel even congratulating them for their courage as "whistleblowers".

Said ex-employees are still affected by SLAPP coming from Quantic Dream. Some of them are experiencing financial difficulties, are unable to find work, or must pfoot steep legal fees bill.

The ex-employees have set up a solidarity fund, and anny help is appreciated:

https://www.lepotcommun.fr/pot/2vg0oskx

*The articles in question:

https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/economie/140118/les-errements-de-quantic-dream-pepite-francaise-du-jeu-video

https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2018/01/14/quantic-dream-un-fleuron-du-jeu-video-francais-aux-methodes-de-management-contestees_5241506_4408996.html