In this Dec. 10, 2011 file photo, Todd Howard, center, of Bethesda Game Studios, is joined by members of his team as he accepts the award for game of the year for "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" at Spike TV's Video Game Awards in Culver City, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
By Derrik J. Lang, Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --
Bethesda jump started the Electronic Entertainment Expo by showing off the latest installments of "Doom" and "Fallout."
The video game publisher launched this year's annual video game extravaganza Sunday night with its first-ever E3 press conference at the Dolby Theatre.
The developer showcased scenes from a new edition of the hellish first-person shooter "Doom" and the post-apocalyptic role-playing saga "Fallout 4."
"Fallout 4" director Todd Howard says the game will be released Nov. 10. "Doom" is set for spring 2016.
Bethesda also unveiled the strategy card game "The Elder Scrolls: Legends," a follow-up to the stealthy title "Dishonored," as well as new content for the multiplayer battle game "Battlecry" and the online role-playing game "The Elder Scrolls Online."
E3 runs through Thursday at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Pepsi soft drinks in plastic bottles are on sale at a grocery store in New York on Weds., Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion โฆ could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More
