GYGO: Goodbye Mixer and More Allegations in Games

by | Jul 1, 2020 | News, Video Games | 0 comments

Text reading "Get Your Game On Wednesdays" overlaid on a screenshot of Chloe, Steph, and Mikey playing a tabletop RPG in Life is Strange: Before the Storm.

Howdy gamers, what’s the latest? I’ve been dipping a toe into the Itch Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality with Wide Ocean Big Jacket and Can Androids Pray. Have you been playing anything good lately? Let us know over on Twitter! Now, here’s what you missed this week.

Mixer Streamers Are Scrambling to Relocate

We mentioned last week that Microsoft’s streaming platform Mixer is shutting down on July 22. Since then, we’ve learned a few more details—for example, many of Mixer’s streamers and employees found out when Mixer’s Twitter account announced the shutdown.

Though Microsoft is now partnering with Facebook Gaming, many streamers are concerned about having their real names attached to their streams, citing safety and privacy concerns. Mixer closing is also a problem for streamers who have been banned from Twitch. The decision means streamers are scrambling to find a new home for their channels and hoping that their audiences will follow them to other platforms. In a Business Insider article, some Mixer employees described a lack of growth, technical issues, and a toxic environment as contributing factors to the platform’s demise.

Video Game Companies Reckon With Allegations of Sexual Assault and Harassment

Even more companies are facing allegations over mistreatment of employees. Since last week, numerous people have come forward about their experiences at Ubisoft and Insomniac Games. As a result, Ubisoft creative director Ashraf Ismail stepped down from his position on Assassin’s Creed, which he announced in a since-deleted tweet. 

A number of streamers have also been accused of inappropriate behavior, including sexual assault. In the wake of these accusations, Twitch announced in a blog post that it will investigate the claims as quickly as possible and issue bans based on those findings. However, as Vice reported, it is unclear how these cases will be investigated and who will investigate them. Additionally, as others have pointed out, Twitch has failed to take meaningful action against allegations of sexual harassment in the past.

Cyberpunk 2077 Is Still Transphobic

A livestream last week highlighted more of Cyberpunk 2077‘s customization options, which will allow players to get really… detailed. During the stream, players learned that characters’ pronouns will be tied to whatever voice players choose for their character, which is transphobic. Inextricably tying pronouns to voice restricts players from fully defining their character’s presentation; combined with no they/them pronoun option, Cyberpunk 2077 has made it impossible for players to build explicitly nonbinary characters. Of course, this isn’t the first time CD Projekt Red has been called out for transphobia in Cyberpunk 2077.

Also, this happened.

ICYMI

A July 3 update will bring swimming to Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

The World Ends With You is getting an anime adaptation. 

Disco Elysium may also be getting the Hollywood treatment.

Twitch banned Dr Disrespect, one of its biggest streamers, but declined to explain why.

A Pokemon MOBA is coming.

A former sensitivity consultant for Critical Role said the company took advantage of his services but ultimately ghosted him without implementing any suggestions.

Black Lives Matter (Still, and Always Will)

Many artists are still pitching in time and talents to raise donations for #BlackLivesMatter. Even though there’s been less coverage of the movement recently, many initiatives are still at work and still need financial support. Black lives matter and always will. Here are more artists taking commissions to aid in the long fight to end systematic injustice.

 

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