Part 5/8:
The Impact of Recent Industry Trends
The saga of Tales of Kera Z is emblematic of a broader industry trend where games tied to social justice messaging or associated with influential D&I consultants face swift destruction at the marketplace. The association with Sweet Baby Inc. has become a "kiss of death," with studios facing layoffs, closures, or reputational damage after working with them.
This association appears to have a chilling effect on developers, who now hesitate to work with firms perceived as pushing woke agendas, fearing industry backlash or poor sales. Many fans and consumers are openly skeptical or hostile toward such influence, especially when it appears to hinder storytelling or game quality.