Summer Games Done Quick abruptly canceled its sponsored Metal Slug speedrunning event just two hours after launch, pulling the plug on what was meant to be a 30th anniversary celebration of the classic arcade shooter.
Host Ateatree announced the shutdown on stream, citing guidance from the organization. "Due to ongoing concerns and statements from people watching, we do plan to rain check the rest of the runs for tonight," he told the speedrunning duo before the broadcast cut to a static schedule screen.
The decision came after the speedrunning community raised alarms about SNK's ownership structure. The Japanese publisher has been majority-owned since 2020 by the MiSK Foundation, a nonprofit controlled by Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. MiSK's stake in SNK now sits at roughly 96 percent following years of acquisitions.
Games Done Quick issued a formal statement on X explaining that it had not properly vetted the partnership before agreeing to the sponsorship. "We failed 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," the organization said.
The group rejected the sponsorship money outright and committed to severing ties with SNK. GDQ framed the move as necessary to uphold its stated commitment to human rights and inclusivity. "This partnership conflicted with our values," the statement read.
GDQ also apologized directly to the runners and host whose work was interrupted. "This isn't a reflection on them and we are grateful for their understanding," the organization noted, adding that it would strengthen its review processes going forward to examine company ownership more closely before accepting future partnerships.
SNK responded to human rights criticism in 2022, with producer Yasuyuki Oda telling VideoGamesChronicle that the Saudi investment had no bearing on creative decisions. "We're not a political company or anything like that, so it doesn't affect us in any way," he said, insisting the studio retained full creative freedom.
The 16th annual Summer Games Done Quick concluded on July 12, having raised $2.4 million for Doctors Without Borders before the SNK controversy derailed one of its marquee events.
Author Emily Chen: "GDQ's willingness to halt a major stream mid-broadcast signals that the speedrunning community is willing to push back on sponsorship deals that don't align with stated values, even when it costs them."
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