Games Done Quick (GDQ), a prominent charity speedrunning event organizer, has canceled a planned sponsored stream featuring SNK after facing significant community backlash. The event was originally slated to host a speedrun of Metal Slug in celebration of the franchise's 30th anniversary, with SNK as a sponsor.
However, the partnership quickly drew criticism due to SNK's majority ownership by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). GDQ announced the cancellation less than three hours after the initial partnership reveal, citing "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."
In subsequent statements, GDQ apologized to the streaming host and participating speedrunners, confirming that they would not accept future sponsorships from SNK. The organization reiterated its commitment to human rights and inclusivity, and pledged to enhance its vetting process for future sponsors and partners. This includes a more rigorous examination of companies' ownership structures to ensure alignment with GDQ's values.
Saudi Arabia has an increasing presence in the gaming industry, notably as the developer of Pokémon Go. A significant development is its pending $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts (EA), a major video game publisher. This acquisition has drawn opposition from video game unions and scrutiny from the U.S. Senate over potential foreign influence, though it is still expected to proceed despite ongoing player protests.