Sweet Baby Inc.

Page extended-protected
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Sweet Baby Inc.
Number of employees
16 (2024)
Websitesweetbabyinc.com

Sweet Baby Inc. is a Canadian narrative development and consultation studio based in

woke agenda
".

History

Sweet Baby Inc. was founded in

marginalized groups in the video game industry.[1]

Photograph of Kim Belair in 2024
Photograph of David Bédard in 2019
Sweet Baby Inc. was co-founded by CEO Kim Belair (left) and COO David Bédard (right).[3]

The company consults on game narratives during development and promotes gender and racial diversity in the game development team.[1][6] Sweet Baby's stated goal is to ensure that characters from different demographic groups are not only added to the game for nominal presence, which became common in the gaming industry in the 2020s, but that the portrayal of these characters is respectful, fits into the overall context and is written for quality scenarios. To achieve this goal, Sweet Baby organizes developer consultations with representatives of different ethnic groups and cultures when adding characters from these same cultures.[2][7][8] Developer consultation with Sweet Baby starts from the earliest stage of development, beginning with addressing vacancies. While the studio can be consulted at any point in development, Belair felt it had a better chance at improvement by entering early to avoid undoing completed work.[2][8]

From 2018, Bédard was the brand content manager and Belair the story architect on Unknown 9, a

transmedia project encompassing comics, novels, and video games,[9][10][11] initially as employees of developer Reflector Entertainment and later as part of Sweet Baby.[9][10][12] The studio consulted on the narrative and characters of God of War Ragnarök,[13] focusing on making the black character Angrboda more relatable to black audiences while acknowledging the game's Norse mythology.[2][5] Sweet Baby joined the development of Goodbye Volcano High in 2020[14] and led the narrative team after development rebooted in 2021.[15]

In 2022, the studio developed Lost Your Marbles for the

Marvel's Spider-Man 2.[5][7] As of 2024, Sweet Baby had 16 employees.[5][21]

Online backlash and harassment

In October 2023, Sweet Baby attracted negative attention on

woke agenda".[7][23][25] The curator group, known as "Sweet Baby Inc detected", received increased attention in February when a Sweet Baby employee asked others to report it for violating Steam's code of conduct.[26][21] The group's creator accused Sweet Baby of censorship.[21] By April, the group had more than 355,000 followers[21] and a related Discord server had thousands of members.[27] Both underwent purges of content in order to stay online after Steam and Discord staff contacted their moderators about potentially violating terms of service, as much of the user-driven content in these forums bordered on hate speech.[22][23] Belair said Sweet Baby did not contact Steam's owner, Valve, regarding the group.[21]

Theories about the studio included that it was directly or indirectly controlled by investment company

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 when it had actually provided narrative work for about three years, including several levels and character arcs.[5][7]

Sweet Baby's employees faced harassment and attempted

content creators compared it to Gamergate,[7][22][32] and TheGamer's Stacey Henley called it "the latest dogwhistle for rejecting progressive ideas".[33] The Verge's Ash Parrish felt the Discord members were not attempting to "create meaningful change for their cause" but were "simply there for the vibes, rancid though they are".[12] The studio continued to operate as normal;[5][7] Bédard felt the industry had become familiar with similar controversies since Gamergate.[5] Its partners, like Insomniac Games, offered advice on moving past the backlash based on their own experiences with harassment,[5][7] and several developers and consultants, like Rami Ismail and Steve Saylor, supported the studio on social media.[21][25] Journalists and academics urged the studio's other partners to publicly defend it to stop false accusations and avoid complicity,[27][34] and Game Developer's Bryant Francis urged Steam and Discord to clarify their policies to avoid similar incidents and further harassment.[22]

List of games

Year Game Developer Role Ref.
2019 Neo Cab Chance Agency Writing [35]
2020 Dota Underlords Valve Scriptwriting [36]
Assassin's Creed Valhalla Ubisoft Montreal Scriptwriting [24][35]
2021 Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance
Tuque Games
 Scriptwriting [37]
Sable Shedworks Writing and characters [1][38]
2022 Lost Your Marbles Sweet Baby Inc. Full development [16][38]
Gotham Knights WB Games Montréal Scriptwriting [39]
God of War Ragnarök Santa Monica Studio Narrative and character consultation [2][38]
2023 Recommendation Dog Sweet Baby Inc. Full development [16]
Reel Steal
Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew Mimimi Games Sensitivity reading [13]
Goodbye Volcano High KO_OP Narrative direction, design, writing, sensitivity reading [15][38]
Quantum Phantom Basketball Brenda Arts Writing and production [40]
The Crew Motorfest
Ubisoft Ivory Tower
 Proofreading, additional writing [24][38]
Kingdom Eighties
Fury Studios
 Additional writing [41]
Marvel's Spider-Man 2
 Insomniac Games Story consultation [1][38]
Alan Wake 2 Remedy Entertainment Characters, sensitivity reading [2][38]
2024 Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Rocksteady Studios Scriptwriting (audio logs, non-player characters) [1][38]
Afterlove EP
 Pikselnesia Narrative design and writing [18][42]
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn A44 Games Writing and characters [20]
Hyper Light Breaker Heart Machine Story structure and character development [43][44]
Tales of Kenzera: Zau Surgent Studios Narrative [40]
2025
Usual June
Finji
 Narrative and characters [45][38]
TBA Battle Shapers Metric Empire Narrative direction, design, writing, world [38]
Breeze in the Clouds Stormy Nights Interactive Narrative design and consultation [38]
Contraband
Avalanche Studios
 Sensitivity reading, scriptwriting [44]
Marvel's Wolverine Insomniac Games Story consultation [1]
South of Midnight
 Compulsion Games Story development, cultural and character consultation [46][38]

Notes

  1. live service mechanics—on which Sweet Baby Inc. had no input—rather than its writing.[5][29]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Ryssdal, Kai; McHenry, Sean (27 September 2021). "This video game company wants to make the industry safer for marginalized people". Marketplace. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  2. ^
    GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Archived
    from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  3. ^ a b Gordon, Lewis (25 February 2020). "Beyond GTA: how tech and communities could change the future of open-world games". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 25 February 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  4. ISBN 978-1-4503-3326-9
    .
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Grayson, Nathan (7 March 2024). "How A Small Video Game Narrative Studio Wound Up At The Heart Of A Massive, Anti-Woke Conspiracy Theory". Aftermath. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  6. GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Archived
    from the original on 29 July 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Mercante, Alyssa (6 March 2024). "Sweet Baby Inc. Doesn't Do What Some Gamers Think It Does". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  8. ^ a b Hermus, Simoon (8 May 2021). "De maatschappij sijpelt de gamewereld in" [Society seeps into the gaming world]. NRC Handelsblad (in Dutch). Vol. 51, no. 185. Mediahuis. pp. E16–E17.
  9. ^ a b McMillan, Graeme (7 October 2018). "Unknown 9, Transmedia Occult Thriller, Debuts at New York Comic Con". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  10. ^ a b "UNKNOWN 9". Shorty Awards. Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  11. ^ Johnson, Maxine (10 October 2018). "Reflector : raconter des histoires au XXIe siècle" [Reflector: storytelling in the 21st century]. Métro (in French). Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e Parrish, Ash (18 March 2024). "The return of Gamergate is smaller and sadder". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 18 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  13. ^ a b Randall, Harvey (7 March 2024). "A company called Sweet Baby Inc. has become the target of 'anti-woke' gamers because it offers consultancy work, an industry-standard service that's been normal for years". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  14. ISSN 1350-1593
    .
  15. ^ a b Romano, Sal (18 August 2021). "Goodbye Volcano High delayed to 2022, narrative reboot announced". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  16. ^ a b c d Kerr, Chris (6 April 2023). "Inside the development of Playdate titles Recommendation Dog!! and Reel Steal". Game Developer. Informa. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  17. ISSN 1350-1593
    .
  18. ^ a b Pikselnesia (17 September 2023). "Afterlove EP: Major Update on Progress, Platforms, and Launch Timing". Fellow Traveller Games. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  19. ^ Fillari, Alessandro (14 November 2023). "Why Remedy Entertainment went all in on Saga Anderson in Alan Wake 2". Game Developer. Informa. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  20. ^
    ISSN 1350-1593
    .
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h Ore, Jonathan (3 April 2024). "Why a Montreal video game consulting studio is at the centre of an online anti-diversity storm". CBC.ca. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  22. ^ a b c d e f Francis, Bryant (11 March 2024). "Why are Valve and Discord permitting harassment against Sweet Baby Inc.?". Game Developer. Informa. Archived from the original on 11 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d e Farokhmanesh, Megan (14 March 2024). "The Small Company at the Center of 'Gamergate 2.0'". Wired. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  24. ^ a b c "Einer der größten Steam-Kuratoren »Sweet Baby Inc detected« schürt aktuell riesige Hass-Kampagne im Netz" [One of the largest Steam curators, 'Sweet Baby Inc detected', is currently formenting a huge hate campaign online]. GameStar (in German). Webedia. 6 March 2024. Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  25. ^ a b Ngan, Liv (7 March 2024). "Spider-Man, Alan Wake, Ridiculous Fishing devs speak up in support of consultancy studio Sweet Baby Inc". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  26. Dot Esports. Gamurs. Archived
    from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  27. ^ a b c MacDonald, Keza (8 March 2024). "It's 10 years since Gamergate – the industry must now stand up to far-right trolls". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  28. ^ Switzer, Eric (5 March 2024). "Going After Alan Wake 2 For Being "Woke" Really Gives The Game Away". TheGamer. Valnet. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  29. Gamez Publishing A/S. Archived
    from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  30. The Mary Sue. Gamurs. Archived
    from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  31. ^ Kaplan, Alex (3 March 2024). "Online trolls are targeting a company involved in video game development, calling their efforts 'Gamergate 2.0'". Media Matters for America. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  32. ^ a b Carless, Will (22 March 2024). "Parler is back online; Gamergate 2.0 hits gaming company Sweet Baby". USA Today. Gannett. Archived from the original on 22 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  33. ^ Henley, Stacey (7 March 2024). "Diversity Is Not Your Enemy In A Life-Service World". TheGamer. Valnet. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  34. ^ Francis, Bryant (28 March 2024). "Silence from Sony, Remedy, other studios could worsen harassment campaign". Game Developer. Informa. Archived from the original on 28 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  35. ^ a b Moyse, Chris (20 August 2021). "Goodbye Volcano High has been placed in detention until 2022". Destructoid. Enthusiast Gaming. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  36. ^ Spira, David; Belair, Kim; MacGillivray, Ari; Bédard, David (23 August 2020). VIDEO GAME ROOTS: The talk you want to attend even if you're not a gamer. The Reality Escape Convention. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  37. Xbox Series X/S). Wizards of the Coast
    . Scene: Credits.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Projects". Sweet Baby Inc. Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  39. ^ Orzeszek, Szymon (6 March 2024). "Co to jest Sweet Baby Inc i dlaczego gracze krytykują twórców współpracujących z tą firmą" [What is Sweet Baby Inc and why do players criticize creators working with this company]. Gry-Online (in Polish). Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  40. ^ a b Bédard, David (11 January 2024). "January, brought to you by Baby Power". Sweet Baby Inc. Archived from the original on 13 January 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  41. Windows). Raw Fury
    . Scene: Credits.
  42. ^ Pi, Lena (2 March 2024). "Ритмическое приключение Afterlove EP авторов Coffee Talk выйдет осенью 2024 года" [The rhythmic adventure Afterlove EP by Coffee Talk will be released in autumn 2024]. Igromania (in Russian). Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  43. ^ Preston, Alx (18 April 2022). "Heart to Heart w/Kim Belair: Narrative for Hyper Light Braker". Heart Machine. Archived from the original on 19 April 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  44. ^ a b "Projects". Sweet Baby Inc. Archived from the original on 30 January 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  45. ^ Castle, Katharine (8 December 2023). "Finji reveal spooky action mystery adventure Usual June". Rock Paper Shotgun. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  46. Xbox Wire. Microsoft. Archived
    from the original on 11 June 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2024.

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sweet_Baby_Inc.&oldid=1220039097"