This actually f***ing happened..

Summary

The video centers on a dispute between Asmongold and Angry Joe over why game studios are struggling.

Angry Joe argues that corporate decisions—including short-term profit seeking, poor management, rising prices, consolidation, and layoffs—are major causes. He says blaming “woke” writers or DEI is a scapegoat, while acknowledging that political content in games and corporate mismanagement can both be problems.

Asmongold calls Joe inconsistent and argues that studios associated with activist or “woke” approaches repeatedly fail. He maintains that audiences mainly want good games worth their money and time, and that ideological content can alienate players. He also cites successful games and companies as counterexamples to the claim that the industry is broadly collapsing. His commentary is highly partisan and includes personal insults and derogatory remarks about people associated with DEI and LGBTQ-related content.

BioWare flag controversy

A major section discusses a claim that BioWare staff were asked to remove a flag from a presentation for a cancelled project set in the Mass Effect universe because it looked too much like an LGBTQ flag.

The video includes an important qualification: a journalist reportedly clarified that developers proactively removed a flag resembling the pride flag from a demo in anticipation of feedback, rather than being instructed to hide LGBTQ content. Asmongold presents the episode as evidence of a broader ideological conflict in game development.

Don’t Nod’s financial troubles

The video also covers reports that French studio Don’t Nod faces severe financial trouble, with up to 85 jobs at risk and a restructuring process underway. According to the subtitles, the company warned that it might lack funding beyond January 31, 2027, following several underperforming releases, including the sci-fi game Aphelion.

Asmongold connects the studio’s difficulties to alienating gamers and hiring activist writers, presenting this explanation as his view rather than an established cause.

Broader argument

Asmongold argues that gaming companies should be judged by their games and business decisions, but he also advocates removing activist influence from the industry. He goes so far as to say that Western game development should be rebuilt from the ground up.

The discussion repeatedly returns to whether studio failures are primarily the result of corporate mismanagement, ideological choices, or both.

Presenters and contributors

• Asmongold — Host and commentator
• Angry Joe — Featured through quoted remarks and a clip from his commentary