Sony Confirms Removal of Offensive Graffiti from Sci-Fi Game Stellear Blade
Sony acknowledges unintentional inclusion of offensive reference in Stellear Blade
A juxtaposition of environmental elements that, taken together, can be interpreted as an allusion to the n-word will be removed from sci-fi action game Stellear Blade in a day one patch, Sony confirmed today. The offensive reference, which consisted of the word “hard” in graffiti throughout the game, was deemed unintentional by Sony.
Sony’s acknowledgement of the unintentional inclusion of the offensive reference came in the form of a statement provided to IGN. The company stated that the placement of two graphics near each other resulted in an unintentionally objectionable phrase. Shift Up, the developer behind Stellear Blade, reportedly had no intention of creating offensive artwork.
Graffiti changed in response to the issue
The offensive graffiti reference in Stellear Blade appears to have already been removed from the game. When Kotaku staff writer Claire Jackson revisited the location where the offensive graffiti was initially found, it had been replaced with new blue graffiti reading “crime.” Sony, however, did not clarify whether this change would be implemented in later disc printings of the game or only through a downloadable patch.
Continual efforts to remove offensive content from video games
This incident in Stellear Blade is not an isolated case. Various video game developers have faced similar situations in the past, with offensive imagery and references making their way into finished games. Notable examples include Bungie removing an alt-right symbol derived from Nazi imagery from Destiny 2 in 2017, Nintendo removing an offensive animation from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate in 2018, and the removal of a noose spray from Overwatch in 2020.
Upcoming launch and controversy surrounding Stellear Blade
Despite the controversy, Stellear Blade is still set to launch as a PS5 exclusive on April 26. Some players have already taken an interest in the game due to what they perceive as an “antidote to woke Western games.” This perception is attributed in part to the physical appearance of the main character, with a focus on exaggerated physical attributes. The recent news surrounding the patch to remove the offensive graffiti may serve to create additional conversation and attention regarding Stellear Blade leading up to its launch.
