The renowned developer has been called out by some fans | Photo: CD Projekt Red, YouTube
Renowned game developer CD Projekt Red have come under fire by fans for posting a transphobic meme on their new game’s Twitter.
The developers behind The Witcher series have been engaging with fans in the run-up to the release of their anticipated game, Cyberpunk 2077. After posting a photo of several people at Gamescon, a fan wrote: ‘I WANT MORE GUYS’.
The Cyberpunk 2077 account replied: ‘Did you just assume their gender?!’
However, many fans challenged the joke, pointing out that this meme is often used as an insult to trans people trying to defend their identities.
One user wrote: ‘Ok, here is why this is wrong. This meme was made to mock trans people, no actually says this other than to make us the butt of a joke. Please apologize, this is really uncool.’
Whereas games journalist Ryan Brown added: ‘I’m gonna give you the benefit of the doubt that maybe you didn’t realise that’s a transphobic meme, but that’s maybe not the message you want to give off for your cyberpunk game. It’s pretty weak PR.’
Another commented: ‘Really sucks to see this from you guys. Thankfully it’s just the PR guy, hope this doesn’t represent the whole company and thought like this doesn’t make it into the game. Bad tweet. Get better. [sic.]’
However, fans of the game have rushed to its defense. One wrote: ‘The meme wasn’t made to mock trans people, it was made to satirize a rather annoying saying that aims to de-legitimise arguments.’
‘Well I for one can’t wait to play this game, being that the online multiplayer is officially going to be free of people that are so easily offended.’
Cyberpunk 2077 Controversy
Cyberpunk 2077 is a role-playing game taking place 57 years after popular tabletop game, Cyberpunk 2020. It comes from the same developers of The Witcher series. Their latest game, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, gained international acclaim partly due to its strong female characters and heart-wrenching depiction of homophobia in feudal times.
Gay Star News has contacted CD Projekt Red for comment.
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