12 Days Before the Con: Cody Dennison Cancelled from GGE
Retro Games, Real Problems: GGE Cuts Ties with Creator Cody Dennison
Just 12 days out from the Game & Geek Expo (GGE), legendary Nascar driver, YouTuber and content creator Cody Dennison — better known online as camlot331 — was abruptly told he’s no longer welcome at the event.
After months of planning and reportedly spending nearly $1,000 on custom merch to sell at his booth, Cody received an email from the event’s organizers, Raleigh Retro Games, saying “thanks, but no thanks.”
The reason?
His content, his beliefs, and some very vague “community concerns.”
Welcome to the next episode of inclusivity…but only if we like you.
Kicked to the Curb Over “Concerns”
Cody was originally scheduled to appear at GGE, part of a growing lineup of creators, vendors, and guests.
But out of nowhere, on May 25th, he received an email that essentially said: “We appreciate your enthusiasm, but your presence is too controversial for us now.”
Let’s translate that from PR speak: You upset some people’s fee fees with your opinions. And instead of standing by our roster or respecting nuance, we’re cutting you loose because it’s easier to appease a few loud voices.
It’s worth noting — and this is important — Cody had already tried to meet their halfway point. He did take down a flagged video.
That didn’t matter.
One flagged post became “other content,” and suddenly it’s all too much. It’s hard not to feel like this was less about specific behavior and more about personal beliefs that don’t vibe with a certain social echo chamber.
A Screenshot Worth a Thousand Excuses
The email is real, and it’s already circulating on social media. You can see it on his X yourself, posted by Cody himself, who wasn’t shy about expressing how stunned and disappointed he is.
I have uploaded the merch design for the expo. I already got over $700 worth printed with THEIR LOGO on it but I am scrapping all that.
Keep in mind, this wasn’t a no-show guest who flaked out or a drama-laden YouTuber in the headlines for something heinous. This was a damn NASCAR DRIVER who paid money, showed up for their community, and got ghosted last-minute because some people in the organizer’s circle didn’t like the “vibes.”
Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
A Trend That's Hard to Ignore
If you’ve been paying attention to the convention scene (or honestly, just gaming and anime spaces in general), you’ve probably seen this sort of story before. Creators being dropped, disinvited, or cancelled — not for criminal behavior, not for scamming fans — but for being politically out of sync with the prevailing left-leaning groupthink.
We’re not saying every event needs to host controversial figures for clout. But we are saying there’s a huge difference between protecting a community and gatekeeping it.
There’s something painfully ironic about an event built around “geek culture” — a subculture that was literally born out of outsiders and weirdos banding together — suddenly deciding it needs to sanitize itself to preserve the illusion of being “welcoming” to those you agree with ideologically.
We’re seeing more and more events like this prioritize performative “inclusivity” over actual diversity of thought. Maybe it’s time we start asking who these spaces are really for — and who gets shown the door when it’s inconvenient.
If this topic interests you, we’ve touched on this broader trend before. Check out our take on the The Gamergate Media Echo Chamber: Following the Money for a look at how gaming media is trying to control the narrative and increasingly prioritizing politics over player connection.
The Fallout and the Bigger Picture
Cody’s out almost a grand in merch expenses, with no time to pivot or recoup costs. He’s understandably frustrated — and honestly, who wouldn’t be? Getting this kind of news less than two weeks before showtime feels deliberately cold.
And even if you’re not a fan of his content, even if you disagree with his takes, it should concern you that a creator can be booted for being “divisive” without ever being part of the discussion. No warning. No hearing. Just an email saying you’re no longer welcome.
This isn’t just a Cody issue. It’s a creator issue. It’s a fan issue.
It’s about how public spaces are quietly being reshaped — not by their communities, but by the people afraid of upsetting them.
Respect Expression or Just Say You Can’t Handle It
Let’s be honest: this seemed overly political.
They didn’t name it in the email, but in my opinion—you can see it between the lines.
“Inclusivity,” “perception,” “concerns” — those are buzzwords used when the real message is “we don’t want heat for platforming someone we don’t personally align with.”
But here’s the thing — that’s fine. It’s their event. If they want to be an ideologically curated showcase, they can. Just don’t pretend it’s about keeping things safe and welcoming while throwing creators under the bus at the first sign of friction.
Because if the only people welcome at your event are the ones who never rock the boat…what are you even building?
This was a commentary article based on publicly available information and personal opinion. Readers are encouraged to form their own conclusions based on the sources cited.
All images, logos, and video clips used in this article are the property of their respective owners. This content is used for the purposes of commentary, criticism, and news reporting under the guidelines of Fair Use (17 U.S.C. § 107). No copyright infringement is intended.
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Dave Jones
May 25, 2025
Damn that’s cold
Ayefkay
May 25, 2025
Hey Dave, thanks for stopping by! I 100% agree and I hope everyone remembers this next year when they’re wondering why speakers, guests, and attendees don’t want to come.
If they’re going to be so partisan, they shouldn’t gaslight everyone into thinking that everyone is welcome in the first place.
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May 28, 2025
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