'It's our way of making a statement in the face of targeted harassment': Tales of Kenzera: Zau director lowers the price of the game on Switch

Abubakar Salim, the director and creator of Tales of Kenzera: Zau and founder of Surgent Studios, has been speaking out over the last few days, issuing several statements addressing the harassment that swelled around the studio and its new game. 

«So I didn't want to address this, but we're here now,» Salim says in <a data-analytics-id=«inline-link» href=«https://x.com/Abzybabzy/status/1796602487522328761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1796602487522328761%7Ctwgr%5Ed8fd78217eb6e5344a02e7de8adf792cf4e742a9%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ign.com%2Farticles%2Ftales-of-kenzera-zau-director-addresses-constant-targeted-harassment-lowers-price-of-game-on-switch» target="_blank" data-url=«https://x.com/Abzybabzy/status/1796602487522328761?ref_src=» https: referrerpolicy=«no-referrer-when-downgrade» data-hl-processed=«none»>a short video

he uploaded to social media. During this, he discusses how his accomplishments have been diminished time and time again, «I've had to ignore people saying that it wasn't the work that got me the opportunities, no, it was simply because I'm black, and I've turned the other cheek and just kept doing my thing. But some of these comments, a few of them you can just brush off, but when it's a constant barrage of them, it's exhausting.» 

He goes on to say that the swirl of harassment around Zau is «constant and targeted from people who see diversity as a threat.» This comes amid various harassment campaigns that have targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the gaming industry. 

«There's always a reason why diverse stories can't exist,» Salim says. «Either we're doing it the wrong way, or it's just there to tick boxes.» Instead of trying to build these exclusionary walls, Salim believes that he and no one else should just be told that their story and representation doesn''t matter and that just because the characters in a game don't look like you doesn't mean you can't enjoy it. 

«I really do believe