Lords of the Fallen publisher CI Games confirmed that it would not “incorporate social or political agendas” into its games due to the “high risk it may present.”
According to Strefa Inwestorów (thanks, PC Gamer), global marketing director Ryan Hill told investors that the studio would focus on “a great user experience with engaging themes and characters created specifically for core and adjacent audiences” following the perceptions that “several high-profile launches are underperforming.”[ed] commercially over the past year” due to what he believed were “social or political agendas.
“We remain committed to producing player-oriented video games that prioritize a great user experience with compelling themes and characters created specifically for mainstream and adjacent audiences,” Hill said when asked about the studio's position on “DEI.” [diversity, equity, and inclusion – more commonly known as EDI in the UK] in the games.”
“While some video games have recently taken the opportunity to incorporate social or political agendas within their experiences, it is clear that many players do not appreciate this and, as a result, we have seen a number of high-profile releases underperform commercially over the years. last years. year alone.
“Our games will always be developed to maximize player enjoyment and commercial success and as such we will not integrate any social or political agency into these experiences in the future, having noted the high risk this may present.”
Hill did not expand his definition of “social or political agencies,” nor did he define what “high risk” meant to him and the study's leadership. He also didn't exemplify which games he considered to be “commercially underperforming” or, indeed, clarify what commercial success looked like to him.
CI Games declined to comment further on Hill's statement to investors.
The action RPG currently has a “mixed” user rating on Steam and received just two stars in Eurogamer's Lords of the Fallen review. A sequel is currently in development.