GeoGuessr pulls out of Saudi Arabia Esports World Cup in response to community protest

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GeoGuessr reversed their initial plan to participate in the Esports World Cup held in Saudi Arabia, due to strong opposition from the community.

As a passionate gamer speaking up, I wanted to share some exciting news about our beloved game, GeoGuessr. Our CEO and co-founder recently made an announcement that we’re stepping back from the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. You can find the full details of this decision on our official social media account, posted on May 22, 2025. I believe it’s a step towards maintaining the values we hold dear as a community and ensuring GeoGuessr continues to be a platform where everyone feels welcome.

Hi everyone,

Over the last several days, I’ve noticed your feedback on our choice to join the Esports World Cup held in Riyadh. When we chose to participate, it was with good intentions. Our goal was to connect with our community in the Middle East and further GeoGuessr’s main objective, which is to encourage everyone to explore the world.

From the inception of GeoGuessr back in 2013, when Erland, Anton, and I were at its helm, we’ve always prioritized fostering a community-driven environment. Each member here at our Stockholm office is an ardent GeoGuessr enthusiast, working diligently to create something significant that resonates with you and caters to your needs. However, it appears that this decision we’ve made doesn’t seem to align with the values that define GeoGuessr in the eyes of our community.

Consequently, if you point out that we’re mistaken, we give it due consideration. This is why we have chosen not to join the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.

We will come back with information on how the wildcards will be distributed as soon as possible.

Thank you for speaking up and sharing your thoughts.

/Daniel

On May 16, 2025, it was revealed that GeoGuessr would be live-streaming the Last Chance Wildcard Tournament in Riyadh. Social media users quickly expressed their disapproval of the company’s involvement in the Saudi Arabia event. Critics argue that the country is using the Esports World Cup as a tool for “sportswashing,” or improving its international image by hosting high-profile events while overlooking human rights issues. A GeoGuessr map creator shared this perspective in a post.

The administration’s objectives encompass various communities such as women, members of the LGBTQ community, former believers (apostates), non-believers (atheists), political opposition, migrant workers under the Kafala system, religious minorities, and others. The oppression faced by these groups is widespread and profound. Individuals within these communities often experience discrimination, incarceration, torture, and even capital punishment. These grave human rights abuses are extensively documented and undeniable.

The government aims to address issues concerning various groups, including women, LGBTQ individuals, former followers (apostates), non-believers (atheists), political opponents, migrant workers under the Kafala system, religious minorities, and many more. The mistreatment of these communities is widespread and severe. Members of these groups often face discrimination, imprisonment, torture, and even public executions. These serious human rights violations are well-recorded and beyond dispute.

It’s wonderful that GeoGuessr continues to uphold its values and respond to its player base. Lately, the game has experienced increased popularity, with enthusiasts even developing an Elden Ring version of it. It seems likely that we’ll continue hearing about the Riyadh Esports World Cup as well.

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2025-05-23 07:27