Japanese company SNK claims that even after Acquisition of 96% of all shares by the Saudi Public Investment Fund remains creatively independent. He makes the announcement following criticism from fans that focuses both on the fact that it is a Saudi Arabian national enterprise and therefore SNK is owned by a human rights violating state, and on the prince’s personality. Muhammad bin Salmanwhich companies mutual fund chairman. Among other things, he is suspected of ordering the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
“We’re just focused on making games. We are not a political company, so this does not concern us in any way, ”he told VGC magazine. producer and designer at Yasuyuki Oda Studio. “It has no effect on our creative work. We have complete freedom in what we want to create,” he added, when journalists specifically asked about the possibility of adding a trans character, as recently in Guilty Gear Strive.
“If it was a real issue, characters like Shermy probably wouldn’t be in the game,” Oda cites the example. Shermy is a relatively provocatively dressed character (see cover) from the fighting game series. King of Fighters, which, for example, blows kisses to opponents. SNK also supports brands such as fatal fury as well as Metal Slug.
The Saudi PIF did not provide any new comments. Reports of violations of human rights, in particular, for example, the rights of women or the LGBT+ community, were previously described there by the head of the video game investment department as “outdated impressions.” Investments in the gaming industry and famous brands are meant to modernize the economy of Saudi Arabia and make it less dependent on fossil fuel exports. In addition to a huge stake in SNK PIF also owns a 5% stake in Nintendo, Capcom and Nexon and has billions more in Activision Blizzard, Take-Two Interactive or the Embracer Group..
Source :Indian TV
