Are white liberal women ruining everything in the video game industry?
...According to yet ANOTHER insider, it sure feels like it.
In a recent video I made exposing the internal dynamics at BioWare, I highlighted the insights from a whistleblower who revealed some seriously concerning trends within the studio. In that video, I received a comment from an individual claiming to be a long time (and current) game industry professional, with nearly two decades of experience, who corroborated much of what my original source disclosed... And WORSE going on throughout the entire AAA sphere...
Although - as stated in that original vid - I can confirm and personally assure everyone that the initial whistleblower I spoke with is a BioWare employee... But this commenter’s identity in particular has NOT been verified.
That said, their comment resonates so strongly with industry patterns I've discussed, I’m sharing it here as a credible, though unconfirmed, perspective...
Take this one as you will, a rumor, with a HEAVY dose of legitimacy.
Shifting Leadership Criteria and Diversity Prioritization
“All leadership roles are just being passed down to members of the LGBTQ in general (women more specifically), and if you happen to be a straight white male now in the industry, you end up getting shafted on the side…”
This point speaks volumes about the evolving culture within BioWare and far beyond - to other studios, where leadership roles have been increasingly tied to diversity initiatives rather than merit or experience. According to the commenter, there’s an established trend of promoting LGBTQ individuals, specifically women, to key positions... For no other purpose other than checking a box and placing like-minded individuals at the top. Promoting diversity for the sheer sake of 'diversity' is inherently negative, prioritizing optics over experience always ends in a bad result. This shift, as they describe it, leaves quality employees sidelined, regardless of their contributions or career longevity.
Experience Overlooked in Favor of Representation
“Even though I have 18 years of experience … I was pushed aside in favor of two ‘non-binary’ and ‘woke-type’ women who only had 1 to 2 years of experience within the whole industry.”
They go on to express frustrations, being passed over for promotion in favor of significantly less experienced candidates. The emphasis on representation at the expense of experience is not only unsettling for veterans in the industry, but also straight up illegal...at least - illegal, in theory. This is a constant trend I continue to hear- people who feel their hard work and tenure are being completely disregarded in favor of 'diversity'. The sentiment reflects a brewing tension in workplaces, especially in gaming it seems, where professionals feel that diversity hires are constantly compromising the quality of leadership by disregarding experience.
‘Acting Leads’ Who Never Get Official Titles
“There’s nothing more insulting than when … they don’t even promote the person who was already doing the damn role…”
This situation sounds deeply demoralizing. Long-term employees like this one constantly report a sense of betrayal when they perform a role without formal recognition, only to see someone else being brought in as their official “replacement.” This trend undermines the very morale of senior employees, often feeling that their own loyalty and hard work are being overlooked in favor of promoting less-experienced, 'diverse' hires.
Mentoring New Hires Who Take the Lead Roles
“Upper management KNOWS you were a more fit candidate … and they tell you to mentor and help those newly promoted leads so they can gain the experience they need…”
Honestly that bleeds into the next point - and potentially the most jarring aspect: senior employees are being asked to train their replacements. For seasoned professionals, being passed over for a promotion is painful enough; but... having to mentor someone far less experienced to do the role you were more qualified for? That's just an added insult.
The ‘LGBTQ-Friendly’ Public Image Push
“It is obvious the studio is shifting its focus on trying to push a ‘LGBTQ-friendly’ work environment image to the general public…”
They go on to talk about an 'overemphasis' on projecting an LGBTQ-friendly image. The focus is so grossly obviously directed more toward public image than any kind of genuine workplace improvement. Seeing major players in the game industry prioritizing optics over fostering a genuinely inclusive environment for all employees is heartbreaking - and it will ultimately lead to a perception of performative diversity — an approach that completely undermines the morale of their teams.
The Industry's Downward Spiral...
The whistleblower’s original revelations, coupled with this new comment to back them up, paints quite the... troubling picture of the current state of the video game industry. The prioritization of diversity for optics rather than quality, the sidelining of veteran employees, and a growing disconnect between experience and leadership roles all suggest that current path it is on is in a collision course for disaster... and we're already see the wheels falling off as the runaway train flies down the proverbial hill.
A balanced approach to REAL inclusivity and experience is... beyond crucial. But no, in the current form, the decision makers have clearly gone off the deep end. Prioritizing diversity must go hand-in-hand with promoting talent and acknowledging expertise. The problem is, according to multiple sources, these (typically) white liberal women activists that have been placed at the helm of these studios and corporations want to feel seen, want more and more control, and ultimately, want like-minded individuals working for them to do their bidding. They care not for game greatness, but a message, and agenda, an ideology to be pushed forward. The problem is, in doing so, these very same studios are now losing the loyalty and dedication of their veteran employees - you know - the TRUE quality creators in the industry - which WILL ultimately affect the quality of future games and reputations...
~Smash
