It’s been uncovered that Games [4Diversity], a company linked to The Powell Group and Sweet Baby Inc., which touts inclusivity in gaming, may be employing dubious tactics instead. Noteworthy media outlet That Park Place is sharing the results of an investigation conducted by influential entertainment experts.
Lately, the Gothic Therapy YouTube channel, run by MasterOfTheTDS and WritingRaven, has brought a controversy to light concerning a company that is accused of publishing a seriously flawed research study in 2014. This study had gone unnoticed until now. Critics have denounced it as biased propaganda instead of genuine scientific research. To make matters worse, the study reportedly employs children as experimental subjects and presents them with games centered around orientation preferences and mature themes.
* (To ensure openness: Raven Redgrave, who writes for That Park Place, is this article’s author)
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* (For full disclosure: This piece was penned by Raven Redgrave, a writer for That Park Place)
At the heart of the debate is Menno van Pelt-Deen, who heads Games [4Diversity] and oversaw the research on the questionable study. This research, which was published on Google Scholar, delved into game design processes during their Pride-focused game jam events. Although the main intention appeared to be investigating how various viewpoints impact game creation, a closer look at the study reveals significant methodological errors.
In simpler terms, MasterOfTheTDS, who is a therapist and part of Gothic Therapy’s team, underscored the seriousness at hand.
As a therapist, I’m quite familiar with peer-reviewed literature,” he explained. “In essence, this type of material has been thoroughly scrutinized by many experts in the field. The sheer fact that it was published and continues to be available astounds me due to its numerous inaccuracies, biases, and imbalances. It’s hard for me to recommend it to others.
The main flaw in this research lies in not including a control group. Since the study didn’t compare diverse teams to those without diversity, its findings are questionable. In fact, the participants were selectively chosen from biased websites, academic circles, and comparable sources, which created an inherent bias that affected the results from the start.
MasterOfTheTDS didn’t mince words when addressing this critical flaw:
The researcher in question doesn’t have a control group for his study, which is causing concern due to potential bias in the results. This study has been referenced nine times, with each citation listing it as a peer-reviewed source. This suggests that knowledgeable individuals have reviewed this work, noticed the absence of a control group and biased results, yet chose to publish it anyway, presenting it as a scholarly article.
In addition, the research material sparked curiosity, for it centered around games that primarily addressed themes related to sexual identity, where kids engaged in discussions on those subjects. These games were developed during workshops and presented as a part of the research results.
The focus is on topics related to orientation and gender identity, as the games they play often incorporate elements of pride content. The research encompasses pictures of children involved in these activities.
In the video below, you can see gameplay clips from one of the games involved in this study. It features slurs, mature situations, and coarse language that’s not suitable for children. However, Games [4Diversity] apparently saw no issue with exposing young people to such content.
The detailed characteristics of these games raise doubts about the true commitment to promoting diversity that the [4Diversity] Games purport to uphold.
MasterOfTheTDS and WritingRaven strongly suggested that the study was more like promotional material rather than a genuine research work. They believe its questionable due to the absence of diverse participants, unbiased procedures, and adequate control measures, which significantly undermines its trustworthiness.
Has this biased and misleading work impacted other studies in a similar manner? Since it appears to be more of a propaganda than a genuine study. I can’t imagine any other interpretation except that it was deliberately manipulated. If one is a credible researcher, they would be aware of the distinction.
1) It’s troubling that a study referenced just nine times might significantly impact scholarly and industrial debates. Critics suggest that the study, appearing on platforms like Google Scholar, may falsely appear credible, yet its legitimacy is questionable.
4Diversity’s games were notable for their contribution towards the development of a mobile game aimed at children, featuring a captivating character who is a drag performer, within their game-creation event.
The hosts of Gothic Therapy have pledged to continue digging deeper and unveiling any more instances of wrongdoing. Menno van Pelt-Deen’s persistent work in child-related projects, especially those dealing with sensitive subjects, has sparked strong condemnation. Although no specific charges have been leveled against him, Gothic Therapy has underscored their readiness to intervene if additional problems surface.
This analysis acts as a gentle nudge to critically evaluate organizations and their research findings thoroughly. When inclusivity is misused to mask flawed studies or biased messaging, it’s ultimately the industry and the communities they aim to assist that bear the heaviest consequences.
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2025-01-15 01:55