The Gayming Awards Grift: EXPOSED!

The Gayming Awards Grift: EXPOSED!
How Game "Journalists" Are Cashing In on Misleading Promotions.

The video game industry has no shortage of controversies, and the Gayming Awards stand out as one of the most egregious examples of woke capitalism. Marketed as a celebration of LGBTQ+ representation in gaming, this event has morphed into a blatant cash grab designed to exploit game publishers’ goodwill and commitment to inclusivity.

At the core of this grift is a staggering price tag for sponsorship opportunities:

$150,000 for a "Presenting Partner"
$90,000 as an "Event Sponsor"
$50,000 to sponsor a single category
These astronomical figures are not just for brand exposure—they're a means to extort ridiculous sums from companies desperate to appear socially responsible. The Gayming Awards 2022 leverage the noble cause of representation, twisting it into a transactional scheme where authenticity is sacrificed for profit.

This isn’t just about awards; it’s a troubling trend among game journalists and outlets like @gaymingmag. They offer promotional deals where developers can pay to have articles written about their games, masquerading as genuine editorial content. This deceptive practice undermines journalistic integrity, obscuring the lines between paid promotions and honest reviews. It’s a hollow façade that preys on developers’ hopes of reaching an audience that values inclusivity.

Worse still, in a suspicious arrangement, IGN’s parent company acquired Humble Bundle, a sponsor of the Gayming Awards. This conflict of interest leads to puff pieces and glowing coverage of the event, effectively turning the Gayming Awards into a platform for self-serving PR, rather than a true celebration of diversity.

In reality, the Gayming Awards are emblematic of how the gaming industry can manipulate the narrative of inclusivity for profit. Instead of promoting genuine representation, they exploit the concept, feeding into a cycle of deceit that undermines the very communities they claim to support.

So, don’t be fooled by their woke rhetoric—this is all about money, and it's time to call out the hypocrisy. The Gayming Awards may look like a celebration on the surface, but at its core, it's a cynical ploy to cash in on the desires of those seeking positive change in the industry. It always was.