God of War: Ragnarok game developers have been on the receiving end of vicious online abuse and Sony Santa Monica has posted a response.
Game studio Sony Santa Monica has issued a statement about the online abuse hurled at their staff over God of War: Ragnarok. The statement states that the fans’ passion and excitement “should not be toxic nor come at the expense of any human being’s dignity.”
The highly-anticipated game was rumoured to finally be getting a release date announcement on June 30, but it never materialised. The announcement was never confirmed and was only rumoured and speculated, but fans found themselves deeply disappointed regardless and some turned to vile abuse to feel better.
— Santa Monica Studio – God of War Ragnarök (@SonySantaMonica) July 1, 2022
Estelle Tigani, a cinematic producer on Ragnarok, tweeted that she had been receiving images of the male genitalia in her direct messages. Apparently, desperate fans hoped that those images would entice Tigani to reveal the game’s release date, which is rumoured to be in November, but not confirmed.
Are you fucking kidding me with this now???
I cannot believe I even have to say this but don’t fucking send dick pics to ANYONE on this team, or anyone in this industry for that matter.
They are busting their ass to make some for you to enjoy.
Show some fucking respect. https://t.co/o0xEZkWouj
— cory barlog (@corybarlog) June 30, 2022
Cory Balrog, the producer of Ragnarok, tweeted in Tigani’s defence, urging fans to not “send dick pics to ANYONE on this team, or anyone in this industry for that matter.” This isn’t the first time Balrog has had to turn to social media to plead with the fans. The producer also asked for fans’ patience on June 29th regarding the game’s release date, stating “I promise things will be shared at the earliest possible moment they can be.”
God of War: Ragnarok is still scheduled for a 2022 release, but there has been no news. Actor Ryan Hurst announced in June that he had finished recording his lines for the game in which he portrays Thor, the game’s antagonist, suggesting that production is moving along swiftly.
Similarly, the staff of Digital Cybercherries has been receiving threats and abuse online over an Xbox release date for their game Hypercharge: Unboxed. Gamers are eagerly waiting for news when they can play Hypercharge on Xbox, but the publisher was forced to release a statement online in support of their staff, saying “It is not okay to send threats, abusive, toxic, foul-mouthed messages demanding an answer for a release date.”
