Deck Nine has found itself embroiled in controversy after allegations surfaced regarding the presence of hidden Nazi symbols and hate speech within the game's development process. The revelations come amidst reports of a toxic work culture and concerns raised by insiders about the inclusion of such symbols.
(Photo : DONTNOD Entertainment, Feral Interactive (Mac), Feral Interactive (Linux) / Screenshot taken from Steam.)
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Discovery of Alleged Nazi Imagery
According to a recent report by IGN, developers at Deck Nine uncovered various symbols associated with Nazi ideology and white supremacy during the game's development. These symbols reportedly included coded numbers such as 88 (used as shorthand for "Heil Hitler"), 18 (representing "Adolf Hitler"), as well as the presence of racist memes and the Hagal rune. Developers raised concerns about these symbols, flagging them for removal, but encountered delays in implementing the necessary changes.
Response from Deck Nine
Following internal discussions and mounting reports of hate speech within the game's development, CEO Mark Lyons addressed the issue in a message to employees on the company's Slack platform. Deck Nine engaged the Investigations Law Group to conduct an investigation into the matter, although details regarding the investigation's progress or outcomes have not been disclosed to employees. In response to the allegations, the company announced plans to implement an anti-hate speech policy along with mandatory training for employees. However, current employees assert that these measures have yet to be fully implemented.
Implications for the Game and Developer
The inclusion of Nazi symbols and hate speech in the development of "Life is Strange" has raised significant concerns among developers, particularly given the game's reputation for representing marginalized communities. Developers expressed dismay over the presence of such symbols, noting that it felt targeted and undermined the game's inclusive themes.
In a statement addressing the allegations, Deck Nine outlined its commitment to addressing the issue, stating plans to integrate new tools into the development process to identify and flag potentially offensive content. The studio also pledged to roll out formal anti-hate speech training and processes to ensure a more vigilant approach towards content creation.
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