The Silencing of Dissent in the AAA Gaming Industry: The Case of Michal Kalisz and Assassin's Creed
The gaming industry, particularly within the realm of AAA development, has been renowned for its creativity, innovation, and ability to transport players to fantastical worlds for decades now. However, beneath this veneer of imagination and freedom lies a pervasive culture of conformity and fear, where expressing dissenting opinions can lead to professional peril.
The recent experience of Michal Kalisz, a Senior Lead 3D Weapons Artist at CD PROJEKT RED, underscores the immense pressure developers face to align with the dominant narrative or risk being ostracized.
Kalisz, who is known on social media as @veezen3d, initially voiced concerns about Ubisoft's upcoming title, Assassin's Creed Shadow. He tweeted: