Conspiracy Time...
I don't know if it's just me, but I can't shake the feeling that... it's happening again. I'm no stranger to Change.org petitions. Hell, I'm the guy that started the #EndKotaku movement with the aim to improve video game industry journalism and take games back. Trying to remove the bias from gaming and bring the TRUTH to the audiences. This... This doesn't feel as.. well.. authentic.
We're potentially witnessing (yet another) extortion attempt in the gaming industry. DEI consultancy groups, particularly Sweet Baby Inc., have openly admitted to wanting to "terrify marketing teams" into hiring them. They say it, right out in the open. Extremely blunt and fearless for any repercussion. They'll threaten and do anything they can to tarnish a company's image if it refuses their services, all in a bid to secure a payday to "fix the problem" they themselves created in the first place.
Now, it's happening again, and this recent petition against Genshin Impact SCREAMS this theory loud and clear... with about 75,000 signatures already at the time of this publication.
Aventurine of Stratagems was the one who created the petition, and it aims to, and I quote...
We call on MiHoYo to stop cultural appropriation and whitewashing in their games and to commit to respectful and accurate representation of all cultures.
Alrighty then. Let's dive into what could really be going on under the hood...
One of their main demands is to engage with indigenous cultural consultants. This is a classic tactic to get a foot in the door. By claiming that a game needs to consult with indigenous experts, these groups position themselves as the "necessary" intermediary. It's a surefire way to start a relationship with the company and open the floodgates for more demands.
Then, they demand to revise existing content to ensure accurate representation. This isn't just about fixing a few character designs or storylines - it's a complete overhaul that would require extensive consultation and guidance. Guess who would be in the perfect position to offer that guidance?
...The same DEI consultants behind pushing a petition in the first place. Is it related? Maybe, maybe not - But either way...
It's a clever way to create a problem only they can solve, ensuring long-term involvement and continuous payment.
Got your tin foil hat on yet? Because there's a classic third step where it gets good...
Finally, they call for a commitment to creating diverse and inclusive characters. This demand is a long-term strategy to keep themselves embedded within the company's development process. By insisting on ongoing consultation to ensure future content meets their standards, DEI groups can secure a steady stream of revenue. This isn't just about one game or one update... it's about establishing a permanent presence and influence over the company's creative direction.
Its insidious. It's abhorrent. It's financially... genius.
The first demand reeks of a consultancy group's 'handywork'. This is how the mafia operates - Then, a new Twitter account pops up, rallying "angry fans" to retweet and support a boycott of Genshin's owner miHoYo. The same account then posts a "Do's and Don'ts" list for the boycott, providing detailed instructions on how to proceed.
Something is definitely 'off' here. It seems almost like these DEI consultancy firms are desperate to get miHoYo to hire them because they know Genshin Impact is extremely successful. Convincing miHoYo to utilize their 'services' could equate to a massive paycheck for whichever company manages to pull it off.
Hypnotic really nailed it in his tweet:
Alternatively, as hypnotic stated in his tweet, this could be just another example of "wokies" hating on eastern content while still being unable to stay away from playing it because it's so much better than their western nonsense... I've seen crazier things happen.
Either way, the whole situation is super suspicious. We should always stay vigilant and question the motives behind petitions and boycotts. Are they genuinely about making a positive change, or are they just another way for DEI consultancy groups to cash in on the success of popular games like Genshin Impact?
Shoutout to Hypnotic for the heads up on this wild story! Give the guy a subscription on YouTube if you enjoy these kinds of stories. He's a fantastic hard hard-working content creator that I genuinely enjoy and appreciate.
~Smash
Legal Mindset's take on this: https://youtu.be/v40O-HIcWPM