It’s no secret that the gaming industry has become inundated with companies that solely exist to push DEI and “woke” values to a new generation of gamers. We’ve seen this over and over again from Sweet Baby Inc. to Black Girl Gamers and beyond. YouTubers MasterofTheTDS and WritingRaven have exposed one such company, a Dutch firm called Games 4Diversity, for pushing a culturally-divisive game featuring a magical drag display to children.
Games 4Diversity describes itself on its official website as a company that seeks to improve, “the representation of socio-cultural minorities in games by organizing events.”
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It then goes on to explain how this is done.
“By organizing events nationally and internationally, we facilitate a dialogue between game developers and players to stimulate them to create more diverse games and characters. Additionally, we boost the visibility of minority game developers themselves, because we strive for a diverse and colorful game industry!”
-Games 4Diversity
The company connects developers with gamers to create DEI-centric games that push very specific narratives pertaining to gender, Pride values, immigration, and more. The company holds game “jams” in which developers and gamers come together to compare thoughts and ideas before ultimately developing a game.
A screenshot of the Games 4Diversity website – YouTube, GothicTherapy
In a recent video on the GothicTherapy YouTube channel, MasterofTheTDS and WritingRaven showed clips that Games 4Diversity released from a jam in which the developer helped a drag performer who goes by Amanda Sparks create a sidescroller mobile cartoon adventure called Amanda Sparks and The Shade Forest.
The game is described in its write up on Kotaku (of course…) as a, “Fabulous, FREE and fun 90’s inspired platformer game for Android, iOS and PC.”
The players take on the role of a drag enthusiast, Amanda Sparks, “to survive the Shade Forest and rescue her friend from the evil hands of the Hypocritics gang!”
EXCLUSIVE: Games [4Diversity] is exploiting KIDS with pride parades and game jams to force their DEI agenda into gaming. This is not about inclusivity. It is blatant manipulation and propaganda, and it needs to stop!
Watch the full exclusive takedown now: (Link to video below) pic.twitter.com/hwM71hBUbH
— MasteroftheTDS (@MasteroftheTDS) November 25, 2024
Despite being advertised for Android and iOS, the game doesn’t appear to currently be available for either platform. It can, however, still be downloaded for free on PC.
“With the power of her kisses, the fierce Amanda must defeat enemies, save Gogo boys, Drag … and collect MONY to become even stronger,” the official write up says. “All while keeping her hair and makeup intact, if she’s ever going to fight her enemies, might as well look nice while doing that.”
Despite the subject matter, the game isn’t listed as being for a mature audience and downloads are not restricted by age. That means a percentage of this game’s target audience is children. In the game, kids can take on the role of the drag performer to kiss enemies and turn them into cash. Their goal is to rescue large men in their underwear.
A screenshot for Shade Forest in which the protagonist drag performer saves a large man in his underwear – YouTube, Amanda Sparks
But it gets worse.
The game also features the ability to purchase (unlicensed) outfits inspired by children’s characters like Mario, Pikachu, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Again, attempting to reach a younger minor demographic by offering familiar costumes.
Outfits available in the mobile game Shade Forest based on children’s characters Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Pikachu – YouTube, Amanda Sparks
The boss battles in the game feature thinly veiled social commentary like “The Bully Bull” which appears to be a monstrous take on a normal man. The player can then “B*****Slap” the boss with a special move.
As seen in the image below, the expletive is censored in the game, likely to avoid a Mature rating which would prevent the developer from marketing the title to children.
A screenshot from Shade Forest in which an expletive is censored – YouTube, Amanda Sparks
MasterOfTheTDS then points out that on the official press page for Games 4Diversity, there’s a write up in which company chairman Menno Dean is highlighted and praised as a “game changer” by Gamesindustry.biz. This is a company that at one point employed Sweet Baby Inc. co-founder and CEO Kim Belair. It’s also run by The Powell Group, a company that recently entered into a partnership with Sweet Baby Inc., then deleted all mention of the narrative consultancy firm from their website and LinkedIn when called out on it.
In other words, the world of DEI game companies is a lot smaller than we might think, and there always seems to be some connection to Sweet Baby Inc. and Kim Belair whenever this happens.
Sweet Baby Inc. CEO Kim Belair via InclusionFX YouTube
“I wonder if there’s any connection to that,” MasterofTheTDS said sarcastically to end the GothicTherapy video. “I don’t know…”
In a conversation with That Park Place, MasterOfTheTDS expanded on that thought.
“Evidence points to Sweet Baby Inc. more often than not,” the YouTuber said. “And for such a ‘small insignificant company that doesn’t do what we think it does,’ it’s odd how they keep turning up.”
How do you feel about Games 4Diversity marketing adult content to children? Sound off with your thoughts and let us know!
