The organization said it would no longer accept funds or work with SNK in the future.
Games Done Quick (GDQ) has canceled a sponsored speedrunning showcase with SNK midway through its summer charity event benefitting Doctors Without Borders. Following concerns raised by the community regarding the video game company’s ties to the Saudi government, GDQ cut short the Metal slug showcase in the middle of a race and posted an explanation on social media a few hours later. Despite the setback, the Summer Games Done Quick event raised more than $2.4 million for Doctors Without Borders.
“We have heard our community’s concerns regarding this partnership, particularly the majority ownership of the company by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, as well as human rights concerns related to the Saudi government,” GDQ posted on Bluesky. The organization added that it will not accept funds or work with SNK in the future and that it will “review and strengthen our evaluation process for future sponsors and partners, including a closer review of company ownership, to ensure they are aligned with our values.”
While SNK is a Japanese game developer and publisher, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s nonprofit organization called Misk Foundation owns a majority stake in the video game company through its gaming subsidiary Electronic Gaming Development Company. The Misk Foundation’s gaming division also owns a five percent stake in Capcom.
Many gamers are also concerned about the Saudi Public Investment Fund, chaired by bin Salman, and its recent investments in the video game industry. The country’s sovereign wealth fund holds a similar five percent stake in Capcom, but made waves last year by teaming up with two private equity firms to complete the $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts.
