Players and staff at Jagex are expressing anger over a recent decision to minimize Pride Month activities. An unidentified developer revealed to Pink News that the decision to reduce celebrations stems from external political pressures affecting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the U.S.

The directive to scale down Pride events was reportedly made by new CEO Jon Bellamy in April, following his appointment in March. This move has created tension between the management and the employees, who feel that much of the preparation for the Pride celebrations was nearly finished or required only minor adjustments.

During a Q&A with staff shortly after the announcement, Bellamy expressed regret for the way the decision was communicated, yet stood firm, stating that society is increasingly becoming less moral and more polarized, which has led to a backlash against perceived ‘woke’ content in games.

Bellamy acknowledged that the safety and inclusion of queer players in RuneScape and Old School RuneScape are critical but framed the scaling back of Pride content as a necessary precaution against controversies that could jeopardize the company. The suggestion has sparked a debate within the community, with some players criticizing this decision as a capitulation to fear of backlash.

The reversal of Pride celebrations also reflects wider corporate trends as many organizations reconsider their DEI commitments in light of changing political climates. Jagex staff have petitioned the management for a return to previous Pride activities, arguing these events had not negatively impacted revenue. The leadership’s response included limited approval for some Pride content but reinforced the stance that the game should serve player interests rather than personal ideologies.

Overall, the decision has led to a substantial outcry from players, many of whom feel Jagex is abandoning its commitment to inclusivity in a time when it is needed most.