The Future of Metroid is in Serious Doubt

Goodbye to the Samus we once knew: The feminist invasion looks to be in full swing...

Uuuugh... Metroid fans, brace yourselves. MercurySteam, the Spanish development studio behind Metroid Dread (and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow), is raising those proverbial eyebrows once again over recent social media choices and their potential impact on future Metroid games.

The studio has drawn attention not for its gameplay innovations or upcoming projects this time - but instead, due to an ideological shift that has many fans concerned.

MercurySteam has followed some - let's say - controversial figures on Twitter lately, particularly the activist Blizzy... and that has now sparked some discussion about whether Metroid’s beloved, lore-rich universe is at risk of becoming yet another battleground for social issues unrelated to the franchise.

Above is a snapshot of a video from her Instagram. We all knew this day was coming.

MercurySteam ...Who?

MercurySteam is a Spanish game developer based in San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid, and it was founded by former members of Rebel Act Studios, known for Severance: Blade of Darkness (2001). The studio gained recognition with the Castlevania: Lords of Shadow trilogy, produced with Konami's Dave Cox, and they later collaborated with Nintendo on Metroid: Samus Returns after impressing series creator Yoshio Sakamoto. Initially pitching a Metroid Fusion remake, they instead developed Samus Returns for 3DS and later Metroid Dread for the Nintendo Switch, showcasing their compatibility with Nintendo platforms.

In 2020, Nordisk Games acquired a 40% stake in the studio, bolstering its development potential.

...and the New Wave of "Radical" Development

Once a studio known for high-stakes action games and a commitment to delivering experiences fans treasure, MercurySteam has... unfortunately, more recently raised eyebrows by actively recruiting developers and influencers with agendas that extend beyond game design. Now they've been spotted on Twitter following Blizzy—a Spanish activist dubbed "Anita Sarkeesian 2.0"— someone who stands out for her openly radical views against men.

Backed by several activist organizations, Blizzy’s platform pushes for the censorship of in-game content, especially regarding portrayals of women that she claims perpetuate harmful norms. For my spanish-speaking amigos/amigas, check out how hard she leans into feminism in gaming here. Or hey, just put on English Captions:

Blizzy’s public history aligns her DIRECTLY with the goals and methods of Anita Sarkeesian's Feminist Frequency, and her influence has only grown due to her governmental ties. For years, she has used her platform to criticize games featuring female characters with revealing clothing, arguing that this aesthetic "combats heteronormativity" by enforcing what she perceives as outdated gender stereotypes.

Her account was initially locked, following backlash from Spanish users who claim she has gone as far as attempting to silence dissenting voices with government support.

The Spanish Government’s Role and the Ministry of Equality

Blizzy’s activism isn’t just limited to social media or independent events. According to @cry_alexa on Twitter, the Spanish government, particularly the Ministry of Equality, has extended a platform to her by sponsoring events where she has spoken to young people on feminist topics within gaming.

At one recent Ministry-sponsored talk, however, Blizzy faced unexpected resistance from her audience. Reports from attendees note that students, disinterested in her agenda, either ignored or openly laughed at her presentation.

...There is hope for the future after all.

Despite her years of positioning herself as a victim in the face of right-wing Spanish YouTubers’ criticisms, Blizzy’s ideas seem to be... less appealing to younger, gaming-oriented audiences.

These government-sponsored talks reveal a far larger ideological push that now intertwines with MercurySteam, the studio responsible for a franchise known for powerful storytelling, intricate gameplay, and a beloved protagonist—elements fans worry may be compromised by ideologically driven influences. Don't mess with our Samus!!

Implications for Metroid’s Future

The potential for Blizzy's influence within MercurySteam raises troubling questions about the future of Metroid, a franchise rooted in action, exploration, and a welcome nuanced approach to gender representation. Metroid’s heroine, Samus Aran, has been a cultural icon in gaming for decades, celebrated for her strength and independence. But if the development team behind her next adventure prioritizes ideologically driven changes, fans fear this will destroy the very qualities that made Metroid special in the first place. The people invading the industry DO NOT CARE about the games. They care about the ideology.

If MercurySteam continues down this path, allowing voices like Blizzy’s to impact development decisions, we'll witness in real time, a shift in the franchise. This means the erasure of elements some would label as “problematic,” not because they fail to enhance gameplay but because they conflict with one person’s ideological agenda. This selective sanitization of game content directly leads to a more generic Metroid that prioritizes certain viewpoints over the series’ legacy and player expectations.

The Fan Backlash: A Warning Sign?

Myself and many longtime Metroid fans are wary of what lies ahead here. Right-wing Spanish YouTubers and social media personalities, who have long been vocal critics of Blizzy, have expressed disappointment over MercurySteam’s direction, pointing to how these kinds of influences alienate the game’s core intended audience. This discontent, however, is not just a matter of personal distaste. For a franchise as storied as Metroid, these voices serve as a reminder that focusing too heavily on ideology over real innovation, and the magic that makes Metroid what it is will cease to exist... replaced by a checklist of social commentaries that no one asked for.

In the end, the future of Metroid under MercurySteam may hang in the balance. Will the studio honor the heritage and depth of Metroid's world, or will it sacrifice Samus's legacy to satisfy an agenda championed by feminist activists like Blizzy? Fans and critics alike will be watching closely...

For all those who want to scream at me for bringing this concern up, that MercurySteam’s influence on the future of Metroid may be overblown.... Look, I understand that Metroid is ultimately controlled by Nintendo and series co-creator Yoshio Sakamoto, not MercurySteam. If MercurySteam fails to deliver, Nintendo can HOPEFULLY just shift the series to another developer. Any single studio’s ideology is unlikely to shape the core identity of Metroid....

Even still, I want to call this stuff out as soon as I see it... Because silence is how we got here in the first place. But for now, one thing is clear—if the ideologues have their way, the future of Metroid is, indeed, in doubt.

~Smash

Huge shoutout to @Mangalawyer and @cry_alexa on Twitter for the heads up and insights on this story!