Mighty No. 9 creator Comcept have angered some fans of the project in their latest Kickstarter update. Recently the developer appointed Dina Abou Karam as their community manager, who is known for her outspoken views on social issues, primarily gender representation in video games and LBGT rights. Many backers of the project have taken issue over her views and posts on the Mighty No. 9 forums, with one backer of the project calling Abou Karam a “Social Justice Warrior”.
I support Mighty No. 9 wholeheartedly, but I cannot agree with bringing in a SJW to the team. If she has any influence on the projects quality, I will be demanding a refund, regardless of whether or not it is possible to receive one.
Dina is known, and generally disliked for her incredibly biased views towards social justice in favor of women and transgendered LBGT community members, often times criticizing anything that does not fit in to this category. I want her fired. I really do, but I understand if that is too much. I do not, however, think it too much to ask she not have any impact on the game’s development and design choices.
Other backers have shared the same sentiment as this backer about Abou Karam in her new role. Leon Mattheson can’t wait for “being a miserable slave” with her as community manager. Ryan Gadsby commented that she “simply has no place in this project.” Some fans have stopped going to the Mighty No. 9 forums entirely, and unfollowed the game’s Twitter and Facebook page. It seems that many people are upset because they didn’t ask for this as backers of Mighty No. 9, and asking for Abou Karam to have no input on the development of the game.
It will be interesting to see how this development unfolds, as community managers are generally powerful members, especially in online communities. Could Dina Abou Karam’s personal views be a detriment to Mighty No. 9, or are backers being too rash?
Mighty No. 9 will be available on Wii U and other platforms in spring 2015.
