Hear gaming's key figure challenge DEI
Mark Kern, a former Blizzard developer, is leading the charge against the woke agenda and advocating for a return to sanity in video games. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
**Ex-Blizzard Developer Mark Kern Leads the Charge Against Woke Ideology in Video Games**
For nearly a decade, nerd media has faced challenges from within, as it grapples with the influence of wokeness, DEI, and a bloated HR culture that has undermined countless franchises. However, with a notable right-wing shift emerging globally, a change is on the horizon. At the forefront of this movement is Mark Kern, a former developer from the iconic gaming company Blizzard, who is risking his career to push back against this trend.
Before the culture war permeated everyday life, Mark Kern—known as Grummz—was a pivotal player in the gaming industry. He can be likened to a Greek god of the sky, having played a key role in the development of major titles like Starcraft and Diablo II. Most significantly, he was the team lead for the groundbreaking MMORPG World of Warcraft, a game that transformed the gaming landscape.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Kern has embarked on a mission to not only reshape gaming once again but also to protect it from leftist influences that threaten its integrity. For those outside the gaming community, it may be difficult to grasp the extent of the decline that the industry has seen since the 2010s. However, examining big-budget Western games reveals a troubling trend of lost values.
Many military shooters, such as Call of Duty, prominently feature symbols like trans flags, while numerous games depict female characters in unflattering ways—disregarding the diverse and realistic portrayals of women, and instead opting for character models that barely resemble their real-life counterparts.
Consulting firms like Sweet Baby Inc. have been engaged to enforce changes under the banner of inclusivity, contributing to a culture where leftist messaging infiltrates nearly every aspect of game development. As the focus on fun and engaging gameplay dwindles, developers—fearing backlash and ostracism—remain largely silent, allowing gaming to devolve into a platform for social justice ideologies. Amidst this climate, Kern's willingness to confront the mob and defend his views is commendable.
In recent years, Kern has devoted significant time to challenging what he perceives as injustices in the industry. His efforts have had tangible impacts, leading to several woke titles stumbling financially while helping more traditional games, such as Black Myth: Wukong and Stellar Blade, achieve considerable success.
Kern's stance has not come without consequences. He has faced relentless attempts to cancel him, including doxxing and a plethora of hostile responses. His posts often attract threats and violent commentary, with detractors circulating disparaging images. His legacy at Blizzard, once lauded, is now questioned by some, but he remains unfazed—a testament to his resilience in standing against what the so-called "tolerant" left promotes.
His gamble is beginning to bear fruit, with prominent figures like Elon Musk amplifying Kern’s message, further rallying a community of gamers disenchanted with the current state of the industry. This growing alliance marks a significant response against radical leftist ideologies and a reclamation of the gaming medium.
The 2014 Gamergate scandal was one of the initial battlegrounds for conservative voices in gaming. While the right was fragmented at the time, by 2025, the landscape has shifted. The public's rejection of DEI initiatives signals a broader movement to restore sanity to entertainment and other spheres.
Although many individuals merit acknowledgment for steering the industry toward a more stable future, Kern's role as a leader in the culture war is particularly noteworthy.
That said, Kern's post-Blizzard track record in game development has been mixed, and some of his social media posts can come across as cringeworthy. Nevertheless, his contributions cannot be overlooked.
While he may not be a flawless spokesperson, his perspective is one that resonates within the current dialogue. Wokeness may be retreating, but it has not been fully vanquished. Figures like Kern might help deliver the decisive blow needed to turn the tides.
As Musk aptly states, “DEI kills art,” and with Kern’s efforts, there is hope for the revival of creativity in the gaming space.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
For nearly a decade, nerd media has faced challenges from within, as it grapples with the influence of wokeness, DEI, and a bloated HR culture that has undermined countless franchises. However, with a notable right-wing shift emerging globally, a change is on the horizon. At the forefront of this movement is Mark Kern, a former developer from the iconic gaming company Blizzard, who is risking his career to push back against this trend.
Before the culture war permeated everyday life, Mark Kern—known as Grummz—was a pivotal player in the gaming industry. He can be likened to a Greek god of the sky, having played a key role in the development of major titles like Starcraft and Diablo II. Most significantly, he was the team lead for the groundbreaking MMORPG World of Warcraft, a game that transformed the gaming landscape.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Kern has embarked on a mission to not only reshape gaming once again but also to protect it from leftist influences that threaten its integrity. For those outside the gaming community, it may be difficult to grasp the extent of the decline that the industry has seen since the 2010s. However, examining big-budget Western games reveals a troubling trend of lost values.
Many military shooters, such as Call of Duty, prominently feature symbols like trans flags, while numerous games depict female characters in unflattering ways—disregarding the diverse and realistic portrayals of women, and instead opting for character models that barely resemble their real-life counterparts.
Consulting firms like Sweet Baby Inc. have been engaged to enforce changes under the banner of inclusivity, contributing to a culture where leftist messaging infiltrates nearly every aspect of game development. As the focus on fun and engaging gameplay dwindles, developers—fearing backlash and ostracism—remain largely silent, allowing gaming to devolve into a platform for social justice ideologies. Amidst this climate, Kern's willingness to confront the mob and defend his views is commendable.
In recent years, Kern has devoted significant time to challenging what he perceives as injustices in the industry. His efforts have had tangible impacts, leading to several woke titles stumbling financially while helping more traditional games, such as Black Myth: Wukong and Stellar Blade, achieve considerable success.
Kern's stance has not come without consequences. He has faced relentless attempts to cancel him, including doxxing and a plethora of hostile responses. His posts often attract threats and violent commentary, with detractors circulating disparaging images. His legacy at Blizzard, once lauded, is now questioned by some, but he remains unfazed—a testament to his resilience in standing against what the so-called "tolerant" left promotes.
His gamble is beginning to bear fruit, with prominent figures like Elon Musk amplifying Kern’s message, further rallying a community of gamers disenchanted with the current state of the industry. This growing alliance marks a significant response against radical leftist ideologies and a reclamation of the gaming medium.
The 2014 Gamergate scandal was one of the initial battlegrounds for conservative voices in gaming. While the right was fragmented at the time, by 2025, the landscape has shifted. The public's rejection of DEI initiatives signals a broader movement to restore sanity to entertainment and other spheres.
Although many individuals merit acknowledgment for steering the industry toward a more stable future, Kern's role as a leader in the culture war is particularly noteworthy.
That said, Kern's post-Blizzard track record in game development has been mixed, and some of his social media posts can come across as cringeworthy. Nevertheless, his contributions cannot be overlooked.
While he may not be a flawless spokesperson, his perspective is one that resonates within the current dialogue. Wokeness may be retreating, but it has not been fully vanquished. Figures like Kern might help deliver the decisive blow needed to turn the tides.
As Musk aptly states, “DEI kills art,” and with Kern’s efforts, there is hope for the revival of creativity in the gaming space.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
