{"id":2041280,"date":"2026-07-13T17:52:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T14:52:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2041280"},"modified":"2026-07-13T17:52:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T14:52:39","slug":"summer-games-done-quick-cancels-sponsored-snk-stream-due-to-human-rights-concerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2041280","title":{"rendered":"Summer Games Done Quick Cancels Sponsored SNK Stream Due to “Human Rights Concerns”"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Summer Games Done Quick canceled its sponsored stream with SNK, citing ethical concerns regarding the developer\u2019s majority ownership by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The cancellation occurred just two hours into the org\u2019s speedrun of Metal Slug in a partnered celebration of the classic run-and-gun action shooter\u2019s 30th anniversary.<\/p>\n

The broadcast was interrupted with an announcement<\/a> from the run’s host, Twitch streamer Ateatree, who informed the game’s speedrunning duo that he\u2019d received a notice from GDQ regarding the stream.<\/p>\n

\u201cDue to ongoing concerns and statements from people watching, we do plan to rain check the rest of the runs for tonight. We all thank you very much for watching. Please be good to yourselves and eachother,” he said before the stream returned to an interim screen of the show’s schedule.<\/p>\n

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We’re so excited to be working with SNK to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Metal Slug with a speedrunning showcase!!<\/p>\n

Tune in now and stay in touch on their socials!<\/p>\n

Watch: https:\/\/t.co\/yplBSxDmEz<\/a><\/p>\n

FB: https:\/\/t.co\/f0fdzqNmKT<\/a>
TikTok: https:\/\/t.co\/A2TompsFyR<\/a> @METALSLUG_EN<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/oijwKOiYtY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Games Done Quick (@GamesDoneQuick) July 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Games Done Quick (GDQ) also published a statement to its official X account on July 12, explaining that this decision was made in part due to concerns from the speedrunning community regarding \u201chuman rights concerns tied to the Saudi government.\u201d<\/p>\n

GDQ also said it will neither accept funds from the sponsorship nor work with said sponsor again, arguing that the partnership \u201cconflicted\u201d with its values of \u201csupporting human rights and inclusivity.\u201d<\/p>\n

The speedrunning charity group issued an apology to the community, saying it \u201cfailed to conduct the level of review our community should expect from us and that was an oversight we deeply regret and take full responsibility for.\u201d<\/p>\n

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We have canceled our sponsored stream with SNK.<\/p>\n

We have heard the concerns from our community regarding this partnership, specifically the company\u2019s majority ownership by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and the human rights concerns tied to the Saudi government.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Games Done Quick (@GamesDoneQuick) July 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cWe especially want to apologize to the runners and our host on this stream, who had nothing to do with this decision and whose runs were disrupted as a result. This isn’t a reflection on them and we are grateful for their understanding.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally, GDQ promised to bolster its review process in regards to sponsors and partnerships, \u201cincluding closer examination of companies\u2019 ownership, to make sure they’re aligned with our values.\u201d<\/p>\n

Japanese game developer and publisher SNK notably came under majority ownership by the MiSK Foundation in November 2020, a nonprofit organization owned by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman.<\/p>\n