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# Games Event Criticised After Dumping Sponsor Over 'Zionist' Allegations
- URL: https://aftermath.site/freeplay-parallels-sponsor/
- Published: 2026-10-11T03:50:45.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-11T05:11:25.000Z
- Description: 'No one bothered to check whether the accusation was true'
- Author: Luke Plunkett
- Tags: australia, Politics, Parallels, Freeplay

[Parallels](https://www.freeplay.net.au/parallels26?ref=aftermath.site), one of the main events of Melbourne International Games Week (the biggest week for video games in Australia) was held last Thursday, and while there was a lot of cool stuff on show, the night--normally an incredibly positive one--has faced criticism this year after one of the show's sponsors was bumped on the day of the event over allegations of 'Zionism' that they have publicly refuted.

Wren Brier, creative director of the [award-winning](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-15/unpacking-brisbane-baftas-game-of-the-year-best-narrative-/100992020?ref=aftermath.site) *Unpacking*, [posted the following statement to her Bluesky account on Thursday](https://bsky.app/profile/wrenegade.bsky.social/post/3mxdo77z3bc2g?ref=aftermath.site), just before the show:

> I've just learned that Freeplay has removed me as a sponsor for Parallels due to an accusation from a speaker that I am a "zionist". Where did the speaker get this idea? Because Unpacking was included in a listicle in an online Jewish publication a few days ago. I didn't even know about the article.  
>  
> I am Jewish. I was born in Israel. I emigrated to Australia when I was 18\. I did not serve in the military. I have never expressed any anti-Palestinian views. I really wanted to believe that "zionist" wasn't a dogwhistle for "Jewish" but I don't know what else it could be here.  
>  
> No one bothered to check whether the accusation was true. The first I heard of any of this was this morning, when Freeplay told me they were refunding my donation and removing me as a sponsor because my mere name being listed "has created an untenable environment" for their speakers. I was stunned.  
>  
> TL;DR: I put three Jewish items in my game five years ago so it made it into a listicle on a Jewish Australian publication. That was enough to make a speaker accuse me of being "zionist", which in turn was enough for Freeplay to remove me as a sponsor, literally on the day of the event.  
>  
> I've always loved Parallels, I've even participated in it myself and showed Unpacking there way back in 2018\. But I don't think I'll ever be able to support it or Freeplay again. I know at least one Freeplay board member has quit the board over this, too. This is discrimination, pure and simple.

Comments beneath the thread, many from prominent indie developers who know Brier, expressed shock at the decision. Rami Ismail [posted](https://bsky.app/profile/ramiismail.com/post/3mxechtv5t22a?ref=aftermath.site) “I had…strongly objected to describing you as Zionist, and vouched for your person several times. I'm so sorry things played out like this. This is indeed deeply distressing”.

The "listicle" in question [appears to be this one](https://thejewishindependent.com.au/eight-jewish-and-israeli-video-games-you-should-check-out/?ref=aftermath.site), published last week on The Jewish Independent. Speaking to Aftermath, Brier says she wasn't a sponsor of Parallels in the traditional sense of the word:

> The extent of my involvement with this year’s Parallels was [donating to Freeplay’s crowdfunding campaign earlier this year](https://checkpointgaming.net/features/2026/10/freeplays-past-and-present-on-identity-funding-and-the-future/?ref=aftermath.site) (I didn’t even know that would make me a sponsor — I guess that was the ‘reward tier’ for donations over a certain amount), and sending them my logo at their request last month. I was not aware of the speaker lineup, had no influence or even insight into the contents of the show, and was not planning to attend the event or its afterparty as I am not in the country at the moment. So the claim that my sponsorship created an untenable environment for the event’s speakers was particularly absurd.

Contacted for comment on the decision to remove Brier from the event's website, and for confirmation that "at least one" board member had quit over the move, Freeplay told Aftermath:

> Given the complexities of and the seriousness with which we are taking this situation, we are seeking advice on this matter. At this stage, we are not in a position to comment.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2026/10/839631822_18431300779194565_4753126044146092920_n.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/30/f5/30f5b1bb-84ee-4c26-b446-fb9a5e512994/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-10-204429.png)

On the left is an older Facebook image promoting some of the sponsors for Parallels 2026\. On the right is the event's website at time of publishing, with Brier's logo (the pixel art character at the bottom right of the first image) removed