Riot Games discrimination $100M class action settlement

Riot Games agreed to a $100 million lawsuit settlement to resolve claims of discrimination against female employees and temporary contractors.

The settlement benefits current and former female employees and temp agency contractors who worked for Riot Games in California between Nov. 6, 2014, and Dec. 27, 2021. “Female” includes individuals who self-identify as female or those who have not identified a gender but have a “female-identifying name.”

Riot Games is one of the largest game developers in the world. Its debut game, League of Legends, has become the most-played PC game in the world. The company has gone on to make other popular games such as Valorant.

According to a class action lawsuit against the company, Riot Games regularly discriminated against female employees and temp agency contractors. The company allegedly fostered a hostile work environment in which female workers were subject to sexual harassment, retaliation and discrimination in hiring, pay, promotions and other practices.

Riot Games hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $100 million class action settlement to resolve these claims.

Under the terms of the Riot Games discrimination settlement, class members can receive thousands of dollars in payments based on their experiences. 

Each class member is entitled to a minimum payment of $5,000 for employees and $2,500 for temporary contractors. After minimum payments are distributed, additional payments may be allocated based on employment date.

• Employees who worked for Riot Games before Jan. 1, 2016, will receive $35,000 
• Employees who worked for the company between Jan. 1, 2016, and Jan. 1, 2019, will receive $25,000 
• Employees who worked for Riot after Jan. 1, 2019, will receive $15,000 

Class members who were Riot employees in 2015 will receive an additional, pre-acquisition payment of $40,000 on top of the benefits described above.

Temporary contractors who were placed at the company before Jan. 1, 2016, will receive $10,000. Temporary contractors who were placed at Riot Games between Jan. 1, 2016, and Jan. 1, 2019, will receive $7,500. Temporary contractors who were placed at the gaming developer after Jan. 1, 2019, will receive $5,000.

After the above payments are distributed, the remaining funds will be distributed to class members based on the number of months they worked at Riot Games and their status as an employee or temporary contractor. Employees will receive 1 “point” for each month worked, while temporary contractors will receive 0.5 points. Tenure payments will represent a proportional share of the remaining funds based on point totals.

All payments from the Riot Games lawsuit settlement will be considered 50% wages and 50% compensation for personal injury, interest and penalties. Class members may wish to discuss the consequences of these payments with a tax professional.

The deadline to opt out of the settlement is estimated to be Dec. 5, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the Riot Games discrimination lawsuit settlement is scheduled for Jan. 4, 2023.

No claim form is required to benefit from the settlement. Class members who do not opt out will automatically receive settlement benefits. 

Class Members can update their mailing address on the settlement website or by contacting the claims administrator. 

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits current and former female employees and temp agency contractors who worked for Riot Games in California between Nov. 6, 2014, and Dec. 27, 2021. “Female” includes individuals who self-identify as female or those who have not identified a gender but have a “female-identifying name.”

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

Proof of purchase not applicable

Exclusion Deadline

12/05/2022

Case Name

McCracken v Riot Games Inc, Case No. 18STCV03957 in the Superior Court of the State of California in and for the County of Los Angeles

Final Hearing

01/04/2023

Settlement Website

RiotSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Rust Consulting
Claims Administrator
920 2nd Ave S
Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55402
admin@riotsettlement.com
1-(800) 589-1423

Class Counsel

Genie Harrison
Mia Munro
Andie Fields
GENIE HARRISON LAW FIRM APC

Joseph Lovretovich
Nicholas Sarris
Brooke Bellah
JML Law AP

Defense Counsel

Catherine A Conway
Katherine VA Smith
James Zelenay
Tiffany Phan
GIBSON DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP

Roberta A Kaplan
Gabrielle E Tenzer
KAPLAN HECKER & FINK LLP