Intel has decided to remove its advertising campaign from the video game news website Gamasutra due to the pressure the company received from the online movement called Gamergate, Forbes reported.
The movement began in August of this year to criticize the misogyny, sexism and issues about journalistic ethics in gaming culture.
After receiving negative comments on its website, Intel responded by pulling out its ad campaign and issuing a formal apology. The microprocessor company noted that it is not taking any sides in the Gamergate controversy.
"We recognize that our action inadvertently created a perception that we are somehow taking sides in an increasingly bitter debate in the gaming community," Intel said in a press release. "That was not our intent, and this is not the case."
"When it comes to our support of equality and women, we want to be very dear: Intel believes men and women should be treated the same," the company added. "And, diversity is an integral part of our corporate strategy and vision with commitments to improve the diversity of our workforce."
"And while we respect the right individuals to have their personal beliefs and values, Intel does not support any organization or movement that discriminates against women," Intel continued. "We apologize and we are deeply sorry if we offended anyone."
Intel's decision to take down its ad campaign may have been the company's way of distancing itself from Gamasutra. After the movement gained traction from its supporters, Gamasutra became the target of Gamergate because of its editor Leigh Alexander, according to Game Spot.
In August, Alexander posted an article on Gamasutra criticizing the gamer culture and the online movement.
"'Games culture' is a petri dish of people who know so little about how human social interaction and professional life works that they can concoct online 'wars' about social justice or 'game journalism ethics,' straight-faced, and cause genuine human consequences," she wrote.