Part 5/14:
Compounding the situation are the actions taken by industry insiders and social media influencers. Many accusations revolve around gatekeeping: gatekeeping from both sides, but especially from the vocal progressive factions. This has led to targeted harassment campaigns aimed at sponsors, creators, and even conventions. Notably, incidents like a gaming store chain being expelled from Gen Con over trivial controversies, such as a frog photo, demonstrate how volatile and oppressive the environment has become.