This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/usa/531471-gamers-zombie-n-word-kotaku/
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Black gamers claim zombies in new video game called them the N-word, sparking controversy | Black gamers claim zombies in new video game called them the N-word, sparking controversy |
| (21 days later) | |
| A heated debate exploded online after several gamers reported hearing what sounded like the ‘N-word’ from zombies in the new video game Back 4 Blood. | A heated debate exploded online after several gamers reported hearing what sounded like the ‘N-word’ from zombies in the new video game Back 4 Blood. |
| Shortly after beta testing for Back 4 Blood opened to the public this week, gamers noticed that one of the screams from zombie enemies sounded similar to the ‘N-word’ racial slur. | Shortly after beta testing for Back 4 Blood opened to the public this week, gamers noticed that one of the screams from zombie enemies sounded similar to the ‘N-word’ racial slur. |
| “What did you call me?” questioned one black gamer in a viral video, after a zombie ran at his character and made the scream sound effect in question. Another gamer also went viral after he expressed his shock at hearing the sound in the game. | “What did you call me?” questioned one black gamer in a viral video, after a zombie ran at his character and made the scream sound effect in question. Another gamer also went viral after he expressed his shock at hearing the sound in the game. |
| The debate blew up further after gaming news outlet Kotaku weighed in on the “unfortunate” zombie scream. | The debate blew up further after gaming news outlet Kotaku weighed in on the “unfortunate” zombie scream. |
| “I feel safe assuming the folks making this game didn’t intentionally record or include a sound clip of a zombie yelling out a slur,” wrote Kotaku editor Zack Zwiezen. “But the clip sounds so similar to the word that, this early on, before the game is released, it might not be a bad idea to change or remove it from the game altogether.” | “I feel safe assuming the folks making this game didn’t intentionally record or include a sound clip of a zombie yelling out a slur,” wrote Kotaku editor Zack Zwiezen. “But the clip sounds so similar to the word that, this early on, before the game is released, it might not be a bad idea to change or remove it from the game altogether.” |
| Zwiezen’s suggestion that the sound be removed upset many fans, who accused him and others of attempting to make controversy out of nothing. | Zwiezen’s suggestion that the sound be removed upset many fans, who accused him and others of attempting to make controversy out of nothing. |
| “They know damn well the damage they could do to a game/studio by pursuing this baseless narrative, but they do it anyway because it generates attention: the one thing they’re desperate for,” claimed one social media user, while another wrote, “I listened and they’re clearly not saying it.” | “They know damn well the damage they could do to a game/studio by pursuing this baseless narrative, but they do it anyway because it generates attention: the one thing they’re desperate for,” claimed one social media user, while another wrote, “I listened and they’re clearly not saying it.” |
| Others on social media, however, argued that the zombie “definitely” said the n-word. | Others on social media, however, argued that the zombie “definitely” said the n-word. |
| “Listen. I’ve been doing VO for 20-plus years and I just don’t see how that is left in the game in 2021 if not on purpose,” tweeted black actor Gary L. Gray. “Whether it be straight from the actor or post production, that has been edited to sound like that. There are people that signed off on that.” | “Listen. I’ve been doing VO for 20-plus years and I just don’t see how that is left in the game in 2021 if not on purpose,” tweeted black actor Gary L. Gray. “Whether it be straight from the actor or post production, that has been edited to sound like that. There are people that signed off on that.” |
| Back 4 Blood development company Turtle Rock has not yet commented on the situation. | Back 4 Blood development company Turtle Rock has not yet commented on the situation. |
| Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! | Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! |
| Dear readers and commenters, | |
| We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system. | |
| Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments, | |
| RT Team. |