SCUM Removes Nazi Imagery Following Backlash, Developer Issues Apology
Since its showcase back at E3 2018, the open world survival game SCUM has captured the attention of gamers due to its expansive levels of progression and customization, garnering a hefty player base only days after its Early Access went live. Premising an in-game reality show, SCUM gathers the world’s most unsavory prisoners to go head to head and spread bloodshed for the amusement of television audiences.
However, the launch wasn’t without controversy, as many players have recently taken issue with Nazi references found within the game. Backlash began upon discovery of tattoo options depicting known symbols for white supremacy; a skull and iron cross alongside the numbers ’14’ and ’88.’ The neo-Nazi imagery isn’t exactly conspicuous either, with the ink clearly seen on the back of a character’s head. This put the hate symbol front and center during gameplay, as SCUM is largely played from a third-person perspective.
Devolver Digital has now responded to the fan outcry, removing the offending tattoos alongside a public statement. The publisher addressed the original artistic intent of the imagery, but ultimately found that the content’s existence was a condemnable mistake. Devolver further pledged to remove any other references to hate groups found in the game.
The use of the tattoo was intended to assist in portraying a realistic element of prison culture and the horrid elements within it. This content has been patched out as of this morning, and Devolver Digital are currently conducting a full review of all assets and content in the game with Gamepires. We strongly condemn any and all use of hateful symbology in our games and agree it should have never been in the game regardless of creative intent or realism. Devolver Digital apologizes unreservedly.”
The developer themselves Gamespire also commented on the tattoos’ erasure. In addition to offering an apology for a lack of foresight, they promised to keep up this cautious mindset in making future content for SCUM.
Recently we patched out content from Scum that included neo-Nazi symbols. Our intention was to create an atmosphere of the worst of the worst criminals in Scum, and to portray the horrible type of people who would find themselves in a “fight to the death” situation for a futuristic reality show where the worst criminals are pitted against one another.
Since our initial response on our forums we’ve discussed this as a team and with our publisher and agree wholeheartedly that this content was unnecessary, should not have been included, and have removed it. We apologize for this misstep and promise to our fans that we will take more caution in our approach moving forward.”
Despite the negative controversy, SCUM is looking like a big success on the part of Devolver Digital and Gamespire. The survival game is currently receiving favorable scores and selling enough to become one of Devolver’s most successful launches ever. Having a solid game on their hands and the quick response to bugs, network problems, and awkward Nazi symbology, it’s not difficult to see where all the praise is coming from. SCUM is available now on Steam Early Access.
The SCUM community has been incredible and we’re thankful for the over 250k copies sold in less than 24 hours!
Rest assured, the team is working on updates to give you a best in class survival game. pic.twitter.com/RLzfhfL0Kx
— SCUM (@ScumGame) August 30, 2018
What do you think? Do you feel that Devolver did the responsible thing in removing Nazi references from SCUM? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day. For more highlights from DFTG, check out these next few news stories:
Eric Hall2712 Posts
Phone-browsing Wikipedia in one hand and clutching his trusty controller in the other, the legendary Eric Hall spreads his wealth of knowledge as a writer for Don't Feed the Gamers. Be sure to catch his biweekly "Throwback Thursday" segment for a nostalgic look at trivia from the past.
