Void Interactive, the studio behind the tactical shooter Ready or Not, has terminated its community manager following a controversial comment made on Discord regarding the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. The studio stated the remarks do not align with their company values.
Key Takeaways
- Void Interactive fired its community manager, known as Kaminsky, after a comment was made on Discord about Charlie Kirk’s murder.
- The comment, "Nothing of value was lost," sparked immediate backlash and calls for the community manager’s dismissal.
- This incident highlights the scrutiny faced by individuals in the gaming industry regarding public statements, especially those touching on sensitive real-world events.
The Controversial Comment
The incident unfolded when the community manager, identified as Kaminsky, was asked to add variations of Charlie Kirk’s name to a filtered word list on the game’s Discord server. Kaminsky responded by stating, "All I have to say is: Nothing of value was lost."
Images of this exchange quickly circulated on social media platforms, leading to widespread demands for Kaminsky’s termination. Void Interactive acted swiftly, removing Kaminsky from the Discord server and scrubbing their presence from the company’s website. A statement was later posted on Steam confirming the end of their relationship with the individual.
Studio’s Response and Company Values
Void Interactive addressed the situation in a Steam post, acknowledging the comments made by their community manager about a "recent tragic event." The studio emphasized that these statements were not representative of their company values. "We have ended our relationship with this individual and reminded our team of the responsibility we all share when communicating on public platforms," the statement read. "Our focus remains on fostering a respectful and professional community around Ready or Not."
Broader Industry Impact
This event is not isolated. The article notes similar dismissals at other studios, such as Ghost of Yotei studio Sucker Punch, where an artist was fired for a comment referencing the same incident. Other developers, including Blizzard and Bethesda, have also faced pressure to address employee comments deemed offensive. The broader discussion around online culture and its potential influence on real-world events, particularly in the context of gaming communities and platforms like Discord, has been reignited by these incidents.
