Games Done Quick Unloads SNK Partnership After Backlash, Ending Quickly
Summer Games Done Quick 2026 wrapped up as a major win for speedrunning, lifting more than $2.8 million for Doctors Without Borders while delivering standout runs—including adef’s memorable Balatro streak that fans are still talking about. But the momentum didn’t last long: within days of the event ending, Games Done Quick announced it was partnering with SNK, setting up a speedrunning celebration tied to Metal Slug’s 30th anniversary.
Release & availability snapshot
| Item | Timing | Platform/Format | Update |
|---|---|---|---|
| SGDQ 2026 | Ended shortly before the next announcement | Speedrunning marathon event | Completed successfully; funds raised reported |
| GDQ × SNK Metal Slug 30th-anniversary speedrunning event | Announced a couple of days after SGDQ concluded | Planned GDQ speedrunning stream/event | Partnership ended hours later due to backlash |
SNK is a household name in retro fighting and run-and-gun history, best known for Fatal Fury and Metal Slug—though this new plan specifically leaned into the Metal Slug lineup. GDQ said it would organize a speedrunning event to mark the franchise’s 30-year milestone, working alongside SNK on the celebration.
Games Done Quick reverses SNK partnership after backlash
Only hours after the initial announcement, Games Done Quick posted a follow-up statement saying the collaboration with SNK was being dropped. The decision was framed as a response to community concerns focused on who ultimately owns the Japanese publisher, and on associated human-rights issues.
Since 2022, SNK has been under the control of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s MiSK Foundation. That ownership is carried through SNK’s involvement with the Electronic Gaming Development Company.
The statement opened with a clear line: “We have cancelled our sponsored stream with SNK.” It continued by pointing to what viewers flagged most strongly—SNK’s majority ownership tied to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, along with human rights concerns connected to the Saudi government.
GDQ then expanded on its stance: “We will not accept the funds from this sponsorship or continue to work with this sponsor again. GDQ is committed to supporting human rights and inclusivity, and we recognise this partnership conflicted with those values.”
It also admitted a process failure: “We failed to conduct the level of review our community should expect from us, and that was an oversight we deeply regret and take full responsibility for.”
One SGDQ attendee shared an image from the event, showing immigration enforcement being blocked from entering.
That detail matters in context. The LGBTQI+ community has a visible presence in speedrunning, and same-sex behavior is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia—an uncomfortable mismatch with the inclusive messaging many players expect from GDQ.
The statement went on to address the people most directly impacted by the cancellation. “We especially want to apologise to the runners and our host on this stream, who had nothing to do with this decision and whose runs were disrupted as a result. This isn’t a reflection on them and we are grateful for their understanding.”
Finally, GDQ said it would change how it vets sponsors going forward. “Going forward, we will review and strengthen our process for evaluating future sponsors and partners, including closer examination of companies’ ownership, to make sure they’re aligned with our values,” the statement concluded.
Not everyone is fully convinced. Some viewers are skeptical that GDQ could have been unaware of SNK’s ownership situation, since it has been widely reported over time. Still, GDQ has a history of pushing for human rights, and—at least in this case—many will argue it’s reasonable to extend the benefit of the doubt while the organization adjusts its sponsor review process.
