In an article posted on the popular blogging platform Medium. Ashley Taylor has accused Greg Spence, the CEO of Broken Token, of sexual and emotional abuse. This is massive news, as Broken Token is positioned as the premier luxury board game insert company. A position they’ve held for several years, working with publishers like Greater Than Games on Spirit Island, and Cephalofair Games on Frosthaven.
Trigger warning: This article focuses on matters of sexual assault and abuse. If you are uncomfortable with these subjects, please read no further.
It is a difficult account to read through. But beyond the accusations, it gives perspective on what it’s like to be a woman breaking into a male-dominated industry.
One of the realisations I made in reading the account is how small the board gaming industry is.
It’s not big enough to support people who want to leave one job for another. And you can imagine every open position gets everyone and their dog applying, wanting to make this fantastic hobby their full-time job. Leaving a lot of people like Ashley feeling trapped. Working for companies with toxic cultures, because there’s no alternative.
“His entire demeanor changed from that point forward during our trip. It was at this time that I quickly learned I had to keep him happy in order to keep my job. This decision is what started 5 years of sexual, mental, and emotional abuse.”
— Ashley Taylor
Things get crazier throughout the article. At one point, Greg Spence wanted to stop paying Ashley wages for her labour. Instead, he wanted to become her sugar daddy, exerting more control and pressure.
“He kept a tight reign on my wages and decided one day that he no longer wanted to pay me so he proposed an idea. If I was to become his girlfriend then I would want for nothing but I would no longer get paid. I declined.”
— Ashley Taylor
What Ashley has done in penning this article is incredibly brave. And since publishing past employees have rallied to the defence of Ashley and decried the Broken Token. Forcing the following public statement from the CEO Greg Spence:
https://twitter.com/tbt_gaming/status/1428591743541284867
On a personal note, it saddens and frustrates me to read about another sexual assault scandal on the hobby I love. I’m here for the board games and the great experiences they foster with friends and our community. It’s difficult to read about another person mistreated within the industry when two years ago, Victoria Mann released a harrowing account of her interactions with JR Honeycutt, a prominent tabletop game designer.
This type of behaviour has no place in our hobby, workplace, or society.
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Dave, I hadn’t heard of this. Thanks for posting. Certainly such situations are not unique to the board game industry, but it is very sad to hear that misogynistic culture is everywhere. There have long been concerns regarding the art, the representations etc. of women in the industry have needed significant revamp, and that is happening slowly. But apparently it also continues within the leadership of important companies. Mr. Spence does deserve his own “day in court”, but if nothing else this is a call out of the need for change in the industry and in our, and other, cultures at large.
Great comment Anton. Well said!