Former PS 'Woke' Exec Joins Stellar Blade Team, Seems to Distance from DEI

Summary

Jerome Benzadon, former global PR lead at PlayStation, has announced he is joining Shift Up, the Korean developer behind Stellar Blade and Nikke: Victory Goddess, as director of global PR. Benzadon previously oversaw product and corporate communications at PlayStation, with a resume that highlighted a focus on DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) and ESG initiatives. This background quickly drew attention from the gaming community, as Shift Up is known for its character designs and bold aesthetics that often clash with some DEI principles. In response to online skepticism, Benzadon moved to distance himself from his DEI label, claiming he was never an advocate and citing examples from a past project. His statement has sparked mixed reactions: some see it as a pushback against excessive DEI influence in games, while others worry about the broader implications for diversity efforts in the industry. For Shift Up, this hire could signal a strategic shift in its public relations approach, and it highlights the ongoing debate over identity politics in gaming. Observers will be watching whether Benzadon's arrival affects the company's future projects and its communication with fans, especially given Shift Up's reputation for prioritizing artistic freedom and fan appeal over corporate-driven social messaging.