Games Done Quick Faces Backlash and Cancels SNK-Sponsored Stream Over Saudi Arabian Ownership

Summary: Games Done Quick, known for its speedrunning events, recently faced backlash and ultimately cancelled a stream sponsored by SNK, the developers of Metal Slug, due to the majority ownership of SNK by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The decision to cancel the stream came after fans raised concerns about human rights issues associated with the Saudi Arabian ownership. Games Done Quick issued an apology for the oversight and lack of proper review before accepting the sponsorship deal. Developer/Publisher Information: SNK, the studio behind iconic titles like Metal Slug, is majority owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, which led to the controversy surrounding the sponsorship of the stream by Games Done Quick. Public and Player Reactions: Fans expressed disappointment and raised concerns about human rights issues associated with Saudi Arabian ownership, leading to the cancellation of the SNK-sponsored stream by Games Done Quick. Media Outlets and Industry Insiders: Various media outlets covered the controversy, highlighting the impact of public backlash on the decision to cancel the stream. Industry insiders discussed the implications of accepting sponsorships from companies with controversial ownership structures. Cultural, Ethical, and Business Implications: The cancellation of the SNK-sponsored stream raises questions about the ethical considerations of accepting sponsorships from companies with ties to controversial entities. It also underscores the importance of conducting thorough reviews before entering into sponsorship deals. Hashtags: #GamesDoneQuick #SNK #SaudiArabia #NexSouk #AIForGood #EthicalAI References: - Rock Paper Shotgun: https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/an-oversight-we-deeply-regret-games-done-quick-cancel-snk-sponsored-stream-following-backlash-over-studios-saudi-arabian-ownership - Kotaku: https://kotaku.com/games-done-quick-gdq-metal-slug-snk-saudi-arabia-stream-2000715188 - Eurogamer: https://www.eurogamer.net/games-done-quick-cancels-snk-sponsored-stream - Social Media Excerpts: - CBC: https://oceanplayground.social/@news/116913733784576258 - AP: https://mastodon.world/@verdantsquare/116913728923058425 - AP: https://mastodon.world/@verdantsquare/116913728858094516 Social Commentary influenced the creation of this article.