Posted June 11, 2023
## Question:
Has environmental-social-governance (ESG) had any impact on the video game industry, positive or negative?
* Have any developers stated if investors have intervened in the creative process, demanding that certain elements be added or removed?
* Have any development teams been disbanded and rebuilt as a result of ESG efforts? Removal of prominent/historical members?
* Any games that have greatly benefited from impact of ESG efforts?
* Any games or franchises that have suffered from reinvention as a result of ESG efforts?
## Context
BlackRock Inc developed a portfolio strategy for their investments that assess risks outside of traditional financial performance of companies to promote sustainability. From my understanding, they accomplish this through both selection of investments (encouraging behavior with money) and shareholder advocacy (petitioning the company to change behavior).
These risks are broken out to three primary areas:
* environmental - reduce carbon emissions, impact on global warming, etc.
* social - internal & external stakeholders, social justice, diversity, etc.
* governance - how the company is operated, how leadership teams are built, etc.
ESG efforts have been applauded for having a more holistic view on business impact on stakeholders. Criticisms include prioritization of socio-political agenda at the cost of profits for shareholders.
## References
* https://www.blackrock.com/us/financial-professionals/investment-strategies/sustainable
* https://www.blackrock.com/ch/individual/en/themes/sustainable-investing
* https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/environmental-social-and-governance-esg-criteria.asp
Has environmental-social-governance (ESG) had any impact on the video game industry, positive or negative?
* Have any developers stated if investors have intervened in the creative process, demanding that certain elements be added or removed?
* Have any development teams been disbanded and rebuilt as a result of ESG efforts? Removal of prominent/historical members?
* Any games that have greatly benefited from impact of ESG efforts?
* Any games or franchises that have suffered from reinvention as a result of ESG efforts?
## Context
BlackRock Inc developed a portfolio strategy for their investments that assess risks outside of traditional financial performance of companies to promote sustainability. From my understanding, they accomplish this through both selection of investments (encouraging behavior with money) and shareholder advocacy (petitioning the company to change behavior).
These risks are broken out to three primary areas:
* environmental - reduce carbon emissions, impact on global warming, etc.
* social - internal & external stakeholders, social justice, diversity, etc.
* governance - how the company is operated, how leadership teams are built, etc.
ESG efforts have been applauded for having a more holistic view on business impact on stakeholders. Criticisms include prioritization of socio-political agenda at the cost of profits for shareholders.
## References
* https://www.blackrock.com/us/financial-professionals/investment-strategies/sustainable
* https://www.blackrock.com/ch/individual/en/themes/sustainable-investing
* https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/environmental-social-and-governance-esg-criteria.asp