Matt Hansen
The Art Director at Obsidian Entertainment
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12/28/2024
Matt Hansen Controversy at Obsidian Entertainment Sparks Debate on Diversity and Discrimination
In a significant turn of events, Matt Hansen, the Art Director for Obsidian Entertainment's much-anticipated game "Avowed," has found himself at the center of a brewing storm involving allegations of discriminatory hiring practices and contentious social media outbursts. The controversy has not only escalated due to Hansen's direct confrontations with influential figures like Elon Musk but has also led to a broader discourse on inclusivity and workplace culture within the gaming industry.
Hansen's saga began with his public statements on platforms like Bluesky and X, where he openly criticized Musk for his stance on pronoun inclusion in video games. Hansen's provocations were deliberate, aiming to irritate Musk, which he acknowledged with a sense of pride. "I wanted so badly to make him mad with my game, and I can’t believe it actually worked," Hansen remarked, further escalating the situation by calling Musk the "world's richest, s*** boy" for his complaints.
The controversy took a more serious turn when it was revealed that Hansen had expressed a preference for hiring Black artists over others, specifically stating his desire to "replace" himself with someone who isn't a "crusty white dude." This statement was unearthed by YouTuber Asmongold, leading to accusations of discriminatory hiring practices at Obsidian Entertainment, now under Microsoft's umbrella. Ian Miles Cheong, among others, pointed to Hansen's comments as evidence of a broader policy of exclusion at Microsoft's gaming division.
Elon Musk's reaction was swift and public, labeling Hansen's statements as a confession of "illegal behavior" and warning it "won’t end well for him." Musk even took the issue directly to Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, by tagging him on X, highlighting the potential legal and ethical ramifications for Obsidian and Microsoft.
The discourse around Hansen's behavior was further fueled by whistleblower allegations from within Obsidian. A former employee described a shift in workplace dynamics post-Microsoft acquisition, pointing to Hansen's role in creating a less inclusive environment through policies like mandatory pronoun usage and a harsh stance on misgendering. The whistleblower also alleged that Hansen was not receptive to criticism and contributed to an ideological homogeneity within the company.
Public and industry reaction has been polarized. While some defend Hansen's right to express his views, many within the gaming community and on social platforms like X have criticized him for potentially alienating fans and tarnishing the studio's reputation. These events have sparked a debate on the intersection of personal beliefs and professional conduct in game development, particularly around issues of diversity and inclusion.
Chris Avellone, a co-founder of Obsidian, has added fuel to the fire by encouraging artists who were rejected for positions at Obsidian to consider legal action, suggesting that the studio might have engaged in discriminatory hiring practices. His comments have underscored the potential for legal challenges against Obsidian and Microsoft, following the controversy.
As of now, neither Obsidian Entertainment nor Microsoft has issued an official statement addressing these allegations directly. However, the situation continues to evolve, with potential implications for "Avowed's" commercial success and Obsidian's future projects. The gaming community watches closely, as this controversy could set a precedent for how gaming companies handle issues of inclusivity, diversity, and the personal conduct of their employees in the public eye.
This saga highlights the fine line between personal freedom of speech and professional accountability, particularly in an industry where public opinion can greatly influence how a product is received and how a company is viewed.
Matt Hansen Controversy at Obsidian Entertainment Sparks Debate on Diversity and Discrimination
In a significant turn of events, Matt Hansen, the Art Director for Obsidian Entertainment's much-anticipated game "Avowed," has found himself at the center of a brewing storm involving allegations of discriminatory hiring practices and contentious social media outbursts. The controversy has not only escalated due to Hansen's direct confrontations with influential figures like Elon Musk but has also led to a broader discourse on inclusivity and workplace culture within the gaming industry.
Hansen's saga began with his public statements on platforms like Bluesky and X, where he openly criticized Musk for his stance on pronoun inclusion in video games. Hansen's provocations were deliberate, aiming to irritate Musk, which he acknowledged with a sense of pride. "I wanted so badly to make him mad with my game, and I can’t believe it actually worked," Hansen remarked, further escalating the situation by calling Musk the "world's richest, s*** boy" for his complaints.
The controversy took a more serious turn when it was revealed that Hansen had expressed a preference for hiring Black artists over others, specifically stating his desire to "replace" himself with someone who isn't a "crusty white dude." This statement was unearthed by YouTuber Asmongold, leading to accusations of discriminatory hiring practices at Obsidian Entertainment, now under Microsoft's umbrella. Ian Miles Cheong, among others, pointed to Hansen's comments as evidence of a broader policy of exclusion at Microsoft's gaming division.
Elon Musk's reaction was swift and public, labeling Hansen's statements as a confession of "illegal behavior" and warning it "won’t end well for him." Musk even took the issue directly to Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, by tagging him on X, highlighting the potential legal and ethical ramifications for Obsidian and Microsoft.
The discourse around Hansen's behavior was further fueled by whistleblower allegations from within Obsidian. A former employee described a shift in workplace dynamics post-Microsoft acquisition, pointing to Hansen's role in creating a less inclusive environment through policies like mandatory pronoun usage and a harsh stance on misgendering. The whistleblower also alleged that Hansen was not receptive to criticism and contributed to an ideological homogeneity within the company.
Public and industry reaction has been polarized. While some defend Hansen's right to express his views, many within the gaming community and on social platforms like X have criticized him for potentially alienating fans and tarnishing the studio's reputation. These events have sparked a debate on the intersection of personal beliefs and professional conduct in game development, particularly around issues of diversity and inclusion.
Chris Avellone, a co-founder of Obsidian, has added fuel to the fire by encouraging artists who were rejected for positions at Obsidian to consider legal action, suggesting that the studio might have engaged in discriminatory hiring practices. His comments have underscored the potential for legal challenges against Obsidian and Microsoft, following the controversy.
As of now, neither Obsidian Entertainment nor Microsoft has issued an official statement addressing these allegations directly. However, the situation continues to evolve, with potential implications for "Avowed's" commercial success and Obsidian's future projects. The gaming community watches closely, as this controversy could set a precedent for how gaming companies handle issues of inclusivity, diversity, and the personal conduct of their employees in the public eye.
This saga highlights the fine line between personal freedom of speech and professional accountability, particularly in an industry where public opinion can greatly influence how a product is received and how a company is viewed.
