Marek Tymiński, CEO of CI Games, has once again waded into a major cultural discussion, this time tackling the controversial subject of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in gaming. Quoting a post from former World of Warcraft team lead Mark Kern (known as Grummz) on X, Tymiński made his position on the matter crystal clear.
Kern’s post highlighted the growing momentum behind efforts to dismantle DEI programs, spurred on by recent political initiatives in the U.S., including those championed by President Donald Trump.
There is just so much momentum and speed behind Trump’s “delete DEI” orders. Every company in every sector is responding.
Games will fold too, except of the weird European holdouts and clueless Japanese companies 2 years late to the trends.@SmashJT, @YellowFlashGuy and…
— Grummz (@Grummz) January 24, 2025
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“There is just so much momentum and speed behind Trump’s ‘Delete DEI’ orders,” Grummz said. “Every company in every sector is responding. Games will fold too, except for the weird European holdouts and clueless Japanese companies two years late to the trends.”
Tymiński quote-tweeted Kern’s statement, adding support to his message.
At CI Games, we stand for Equality of Opportunity. Hire the best person for the job. Talent > buzzwords. Real diversity and inclusion always. RIP to DEI, it’s done. https://t.co/RVt5E50gkj
— Marek Tyminski (@tyminski_marek) January 24, 2025
“At CI Games, we stand for Equality of Opportunity,” he said. “Hire the best person for the job. Talent > buzzwords. Real diversity and inclusion always. RIP to DEI, it’s done.”
This bold statement places CI Games in stark contrast to much of the AAA gaming industry, where DEI initiatives have dominated hiring and creative processes over the past decade. Tymiński’s stance focuses on meritocracy and “real” diversity, as opposed to the checklist-style hiring practices many associate with DEI programs.
A screenshot from the trailer for Lords of The Fallen – YouTube, Gamespot
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Tymiński’s remarks echo sentiments shared by an increasing number of professionals across industries, including gaming, who argue that DEI initiatives often prioritize optics over actual talent or results. Critics contend that these programs have led to tokenism, divisive workplace cultures, and declining quality in creative fields.
Gaming has been particularly affected, with major studios openly embracing DEI as a cornerstone of their development processes. Companies like Blizzard, EA, and Ubisoft have proudly announced DEI-driven hiring goals and content strategies. However, as recent polls and public backlash suggest, these efforts may not align with what gamers want.
Tymiński’s comments are part of a broader strategy by CI Games to position itself as a studio that listens to its audience. The company has already demonstrated this commitment through its recent polls on controversial topics in gaming.
A poll from Marek Tyminski of CI Games on Gender selection in medieval RPGs – X, @tyminski_marek
The first poll asked players whether they preferred traditional “male or female” character creation options or the more politically charged “Body Type A/B” system. With nearly 50,000 votes, an overwhelming 88% of respondents chose male/female, leading CI Games to pledge to reflect this feedback in future titles. It also vowed that it will go back and make updates to 2023’s Lords of The Fallen.
A second poll tackled the so-called “uglification” of video game characters, asking if lead characters should be widely considered attractive or aspirational by most players. Again, the results were decisive, with 84.4% of respondents saying “yes.” This feedback underscored the sentiment that players want gaming to remain aspirational and immersive rather than mired in divisive real-world politics.
By rejecting DEI programs and emphasizing equality of opportunity, CI Games is bucking industry trends in favor of what Tymiński refers to as “real diversity.”
A screenshot of Star Wars Outlaws (2024), Ubisoft
His statement aligns with the company’s actions to date, including its player-first approach to controversial topics.
This strategy could prove to be a winning formula. Gamers have repeatedly shown that they value being heard and that companies willing to adapt based on player feedback often see success. The infamous Sonic the Hedgehog movie redesign is a perfect example—what began as backlash to Sonic’s appearance turned into a box-office hit after the studio listened to fans and made changes.
A screenshot from Sonic the Hedgehog – Paramount Plus
As the AAA industry continues to push forward with DEI initiatives, Tymiński’s bold rejection of the status quo serves as a clear message: the future of gaming lies in respecting talent, listening to players, and prioritizing quality over buzzwords. Whether or not other studios follow suit remains to be seen, but for now, CI Games is carving a unique path—and gamers seem to be on board.
Do you think CI Games is serious in its rejection of DEI in Gaming? Sound off in the comments and let us know.
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