Content warning: The following story discusses online harassment and contains images with sexist, transphobic and anti-Semitic language
Video game company Naughty Dog, which developed “The Last of Us Part 2,” posted a tweet today in response to the harassment experienced by their team after the game’s release. The tweet reads, “Although we welcome critical discussion, we condemn any form of harassment or threats directed towards our team and cast. Their safety is our top priority, but we must all work together to root out this type of behavior and maintain a constructive and compassionate discourse.”
However, a number of responses to the statement were from fans who continued to express their extreme dislike for how the narrative took a turn in the post-apocalyptic survival game sequel. Vlogger Meg Turney replied to a hateful comment to the tweet, “Literally no one is asking for your opinion on the game on a post about artists receiving death threats. This isn’t remotely the place for what you thought of the story.”
While other fans spoke about how they’re enjoying the game, there were hardly any comments addressing the abuse thrown at the game’s team. Is the gaming community largely used to this type of cruel behavior that it’s normalized and met with willful blindness? If so, the community has some serious reflecting to do.
Naughty Dog’s statement comes after voice actress Laura Bailey posted screenshots of death threats that she received from “fans” who hated her (previously speculated to be trans) character Abbey. She wrote in the tweet published on July 4, “Man. I try to only post positive stuff on here… but sometimes this just gets a little overwhelming. I blacked out some of the words cuz, ya know, spoilers.”
Toxic fandom culture doesn’t just exist in gaming and this isn’t the first time an actor has been attacked for something their characters did (which, like Bailey, they often have no say in). You would think that in 2020, actors wouldn’t be subjected to this anymore but we are sadly proved wrong.
On July 6, “The Last of Us Part 2” co-writer and co-game director Neil Druckmann also shared screenshots of some of the messages he received. Apart from wanting him dead, the messages also contained sexist, transphobic, homophobic and anti-Semitic insults. What was shown weren’t criticisms of a storyline anymore, they were verbal hate crimes.
Naughty Dog, Bailey and Druckmann have not shared any plans to file charges against the individuals who sent the threats and hateful messages. Despite this, we hope that this inspires the community to come together to stop abuse against artists who work hard so we can all have something to enjoy.
In response to the issue, television and video game writer Mike Drucker said wryly, “I feel like it’s possible to not enjoy a video game without having to ruin the life of someone who made it.”
Since some people still need this reminder: We are not entitled to abuse artists just because their work didn’t cater to our preferences. Respect their boundaries.
Photo screengrabbed from “The Last of Us Part 2” trailer
Follow Preen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Viber
Related Stories:
Gamer queen Megan Young plays ML for HIV awareness
Virtual safe space: These are the games to play when you’re feeling anxious
The video game ladies that defined our adulthood
Video games to remind you that the outside world still exists