### Games Done Quick Cancels Sponsored Stream Amid Backlash Over Saudi Ownership
Games Done Quick (GDQ), a prominent speedrunning organization known for its charity events like Summer Games Done Quick and Games Done Queer, has recently faced significant backlash leading to the cancellation of a sponsored stream with Metal Slug developers SNK. This decision comes in light of concerns regarding SNK’s majority ownership by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is a topic of considerable controversy due to the country’s human rights record.
#### Background on the Sponsorship
The stream was initially announced as a celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Metal Slug series and was intended to promote both the game and the speedrunning community. However, prior to the stream, GDQ encountered a wave of criticism highlighting the implications of accepting sponsorship from a company that is 96% owned by the Saudi government.
### The Backlash and Apology
As the stream went live, it was met with immediate pushback from the audience, who expressed their concern over GDQ partnering with a studio with such significant ties to a nation known for its human rights violations. Notably, this backlash gained traction given that just after hosting the Summer Games Done Quick, which raised funds for Doctors Without Borders—an organization that has worked to provide aid in Yemen amid the humanitarian crisis ensuing from Saudi-led coalition air strikes—many found this partnership particularly jarring.
In response to the criticism, GDQ released a statement acknowledging their mistake: “We have heard the concerns from our community regarding this partnership, specifically the company’s majority ownership by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and the human rights concerns tied to the Saudi government.” They announced that they would not accept the funds from this sponsorship and would not work with SNK in the future, emphasizing their commitment to human rights and inclusivity.
### Recognition of Oversight
GDQ took full responsibility for what they termed an oversight, admitting that they “failed to conduct the level of review” their community rightly expected. In light of the controversy, GDQ pledged to review and strengthen their sponsorship evaluation process to prevent future missteps. They also expressed their regret to the stream host and speedrunning participants, who were not involved in the decision-making process and faced disruption as a result.
### Community Reaction and Future Implications
The swift cancellation of the stream raises questions about the potential impact on trust within the GDQ community. Whether this incident will lead to a long-lasting fracture in trust largely depends on GDQ’s ability to enhance their vetting processes to avoid similar situations in the future. The connection between SNK’s ownership and the broader implications of Saudi involvement in the gaming industry has been a subject of discussion, and this incident has brought those conversations to the forefront.
In conclusion, Games Done Quick’s cancellation of the SNK-sponsored stream, while necessary in the face of backlash, underscores the importance of careful consideration and awareness of the ethical implications surrounding sponsorships and partnerships in the gaming community. The organization’s commitment to reviewing and enhancing their processes will be critical in rebuilding any lost trust and maintaining their focus on supporting human rights and inclusivity in the future.
