Certain Affinity Offers Employees Relocation Concerning Political Events

The giants of gaming studios are often supported by “support studios” during the development of large-scale AAA titles. Certain Affinity was founded by Max Hoberman and a small number of former Bungie employees. Functioning as mostly a support studio for goliaths of the gaming industry, it is cherished by players for contributing to cultivating titles like the Left 4 Dead and Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

Certain Affinity is more than just a support studio, however. Max Hoberman, the CEO of Certain Affinity, is also behind some original titles, like Crimson Alliance and Age of Booty. Recently, he issued a statement with employees concerning current political events — those involving privacy matters and personal health, and the contemporary draft from the United States Supreme Court to potentially overturn Roe v. Wade.

As a business leader it's exceptionally difficult to navigate highly politicized issues like transgender and abortion rights. But I'm not content to sit back and say or do nothing. Here's a message that I was thrilled to share with all @CertainAffinity full-time staff today. pic.twitter.com/zTJvaTm9Il

— Max Hoberman (@MaxHoberman) May 18, 2022

Max Hoberman noted that as a business leader, it’s “exceptionally difficult to navigate highly politicized issues like transgender and abortion rights,” but he is incapable of slouching and staying quiet.

“It is appalling that states, including the [Certain Affinity] headquarters’ home state of Texas, are wading into what I consider personal health and privacy matters. Recently this encompassed gross intrusions on the rights and dignity of transgender youth, putting politics over the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of a vulnerable population, and threatening their families, friends, doctors, and other supporters.”

Regarding the concern about privacy attacks, he further states that “Measures are already teed up in several states that will similarly punish family, friends, doctors and other supporters who come to their aid.”

Furthermore, Max Hoberman confers his company’s stance regarding his way of handling this situation. “These are tricky areas to navigate, as state governments may at some point decide that, by supporting vulnerable employees in their time of need, we fall on the wrong side of the law,” he mentions. However, Max Hoberman is going out of his way to provide relocation compensations for those affected.

“However, as a demonstration of our company values, today I am making this commitment to you: If the state or province that you live in restricts access to what a majority of medical experts consider essential care, and this makes remaining there untenable for you and your family, we will cover the pre-approved, documented, reasonable out-of-pocket costs of your relocation to another, safer state or province that we operate in.”

If the situation affects any of the employees at Certain Affinity, they can “bring questions or concerns to any member of our HR team,” who will listen to their concerns and maintain confidentiality regarding the matter, according to Max Hoberman.

The political climate entering the gaming industry has never concluded with a happy ending. These scenarios often lead to unnecessary drama and chaos among companies. Max Hoberman has boosted Certain Affinity to the moon with his allure, and he has also shown slight interest in a possible acquisition from Microsoft in the past.