In response to a massive blowback from its player base, geographical puzzle game GeoGuessr has announced its withdrawal from the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
GeoGuessr announced its planned participation in the Esports World Cup earlier in May, describing it as "a massive step" for the game. But the immediate reaction was almost exclusively negative, due to Saudi Arabia's abysmal human rights record. As one user on X put it, "Marketing your world championship as diverse and inclusive but then deciding to make a wildcard [tournament] in Riyadh out of all places is such an unbelievably stupid decision."
