Gamers are joking around by gifting Dustborn to each other on Steam, a game that gained a bad reputation for its lackluster reception amid forced DEI. Released in August 2024, Dustborn tried to offer a story-focused experience with themes of diversity and inclusivity.

However, its execution fell flat and quickly became a running joke in the gaming community.

Why it matters: Gifting Dustborn has become a troll among gamers, representing the difference between high hopes and disappointing results.
Dustborn Steam Gifting TrollKabrutus, the owner of DEIdetected, is being gifted Dustborn as a prank.
When Dustborn was released, it struggled right from the start, with fewer than 100 players at launch. Its small player base and poor reviews quickly turned it into a joke.

Now, many gamers have begun gifting the game to friends on Steam just to troll each other, using its reputation as a flop to get laughs.

On sites like Twitter and Steam Discussions, users joke about the game being a “spectacular mess,” with some even calling its failure “impressive” because of how badly it missed the mark.

Dustborn features rhythm-based combat and choices driven by dialogue, using a unique “language as a weapon” mechanic. It was heavily promoted for its focus on inclusivity and diverse characters, with support from the Norwegian Film Institute to help fund its story.
Dustborn Paid $2500 At Tokyo Game ShowDustborn spent nearly $3,000 on a booth at TGS. 385,000 Japanese Yen is approximately $2,700.
Despite that, the game failed to connect with players. It failed so badly that its studio set up a booth at the Tokyo Game Show, but only four people showed up.

Critics and fans pointed out that its focus on delivering a “message” hurt the gameplay. Some gamers made fun of the game’s tone, calling it a “forced diversity project” and criticized it for putting ideology before fun.

As Dustborn struggles to gain traction, the developer’s intentions might have been genuine, but the execution has landed it in the realm of gaming jokes. For now, it looks like the game will live on as a gift passed around among gamers as a joke.