GDQ Fans Debate Whether Activision Blizzard Games Should Be Banned From Events
Last week, we spotted that speedrun marathon event Games Done Quick (GDQ) won't be accepting runs from any Harry Potter games, including the recently released Hogwarts Legacy. While an explanation was not provided, it is largely assumed that this is due to organisers either wishing to keep discussions on JK Rowling's bigotry out of their events, or they themselves do not wish to platform her work anymore.
Since then, fans have been reacting to the news on Reddit, with opinions divided. Some agree with the decision, feeling that allowing Harry Potter speedruns would indicate that organisers don't care about the effect of JK Rowling's transphobia. Others, however, state that she had little involvement with the games, and that they should be separated from her work. Yet both sides seem to think that there are other games that could be included in the ban - including every Activision Blizzard title.
Related: Atomic Heart And The Problem With Keeping Politics Out Of Gaming
Some, no doubt, only bring up Activision Blizzard's workplace abuse controversies as a "gotcha" to those calling on the speedrunning community to take the fight against transphobia seriously. Yet others are earnestly sharing their arguments as to why Activision Blizzard games like Call of Duty and Diablo shouldn't be included in GDQ events.
"Personally, I would support GDQ banning Blizzard games on the basis of their poor workplace conditions," says Xirema, responding to a user who takes issue with the Harry Potter ban.
They are far from alone, with NoirVII agreeing that "if any games are to be banned, Blizzard should be included," having faced various accusations of sexual abuse.
However, others also in favour of the Harry Potter ban feel that the
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