The video games industry must work to condemn online intimidation and bullying, according to a body representing more than 100 Scottish developers.

In an online editorial, the Scottish Games Network hits out at gamers conducting a "campaign of hate, abuse and threats" aimed at women who work in or write about the industry.

The organisation's comments come as a response to gamergate, a social-media fuelled campaign which proponents say is a call for ethics and transparency in video game development and journalism.

However, critics say gamergate is simply an attempt to legitimise sexist attacks on women who are involved in game development or media.

The issue came to a head in August when academic Anita Sarkeesian – who blogs on sexism and misogyny in games - was forced to cancel an event at Utah State University after she received an emailed death threat.

Games developers and journalists who speak out about apparent sexism or other cultural concerns in games have also been subjected to online harassment and threats through the duration of the campaign.

The statement from the Scottish Games Network reads: "The video games industry should be and must be a safe and inclusive place for every participant, regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnic or social background.

"This includes developers, publishers, journalists, anyone working within the games industry and extends all the way to players themselves.

"Bullying, harassment, abuse and threats of any kind are never acceptable.

"The recent campaign of hate, abuse and threats against several prominent female developers and a great many more journalists, editors and bloggers is purely and simply a hate campaign.

"Despite the protestations of ethics within the games media, the amorphous network of gamergate proponents are simply using these concerns as a smokescreen for an ongoing process of intimidation and bullying."

The statement goes on to criticise the failure of the games industry to condemn the movement, saying that inaction provides "tacit, if inadvertent" support for those behind the campaign while leaving those who have been abused isolated from support.

It continues: "This is not and never has been about the media. It’s about intimidation and enforcing an ideology through threats and fear.

"It can’t go on. It cannot be allowed to go on. We, the actual games industry are going to have to deal with this issue at some point soon.

"This does not mean we need to enforce a single point of view. It does not support any ideology. Different opinions are welcome. A diverse industry is a stronger industry.

"But the abuse must end."