Jagex, the developer behind the long-running MMORPG RuneScape, has reportedly canceled all planned Pride Month content for 2025. According to information from an anonymous employee, this decision came down from executive leadership following the company’s acquisition by private equity firm CVC Capital Partners in 2023.
The most shocking aspect of this cancellation is that the Pride event was allegedly almost complete. Staff members even volunteered to finish the remaining work during their personal time, but management denied these requests.
Internal communications cited in the report suggest that LGBTQ+ content is now considered “controversial” in a way it supposedly wasn’t in previous years. Employees were reportedly told: “Our job is not to use the game as an outlet for our own views, but to craft worlds that serve our players, offering immersion, escape, and meaning.”
This marks a significant shift for Jagex, which has a history of including LGBTQ+ representation in RuneScape. Past updates have featured same-sex marriage options, openly gay and non-binary characters, and Pride-themed events. The company previously kept these inclusive elements going, even though some segments of the player base didn’t agree.
The new CEO Jon Bellamy, reportedly installed by CVC Capital Partners, has been identified as a driving force behind this change in direction. Sources claim this executive has also let go of several veteran developers in the months following the leadership transition.
RuneScape‘s Pride events have been a tradition in recent years, joining other seasonal celebrations like Christmas, Easter, and Halloween in the fantasy world of Gielinor. These events typically offer players special cosmetic items and temporary activities.
Hope you're having a wonderful Pride Month so far, 'Scapers! 🌈 pic.twitter.com/OYO1FsVa2D
— RuneScape (@RuneScape) June 11, 2023
From rainbow shields to corporate cancellation
The decision appears to line up with a broader trend in 2024, with fewer corporations engaging in Pride-related marketing and events. While some gaming companies like Digital Extremes, Sega, and Square Enix continue their Pride support, others have reduced their visibility in this space, possibly due to fears of controversy or negative publicity.
What makes this situation particularly notable is that the content was reportedly ready to launch, requiring minimal additional work to complete. The rejection of staff offers to finish it on their own time suggests strategic concerns rather than resource limitations drove the decision.
