Ready or Not Game Developer Dismisses Community Manager After Controversial Comments on Charlie Kirk

VOID Interactive Terminates Community Manager Amid Controversy

VOID Interactive, the studio behind the popular tactical shooter Ready or Not, has made headlines following the dismissal of its Community Manager, known by the moniker ‘Kaminsky’.This decision stems from contentious remarks made regarding the shooting incident involving Charlie Kirk.

Outrage Over Inappropriate Comments

In a recent discussion on whether to include Charlie Kirk’s name in the official Ready or Not Discord channel’s filter, Kaminsky’s response raised eyebrows:

I just did Charlie. Funny you mention that because me and my roommate are literally just talking about him getting shot. All I have to say is: Nothing of value was lost.

His comments triggered significant backlash from the gaming community, leading VOID Interactive to issue a public statement addressing the situation.

VOID Interactive’s Official Response

In an attempt to clarify their stance, the company stated:

We are aware of comments made by our community manager about a recent tragic event. These statements do not reflect our values or represent our company. We have ended our relationship with this individual and reminded our team of the responsibility we all share when communicating on public platforms. Our focus remains on fostering a respectful and professional community around Ready or Not.

This incident is not an isolated case for VOID Interactive, which has been embroiled in controversies in the past.

A History of Controversy

In 2021, the developer faced scrutiny after announcing a partnership with Team17 to publish Ready or Not. However, the deal was abruptly terminated, with rumors suggesting it was linked to a controversial school shooting level hinted at on Reddit. VOID Interactive has consistently denied any connection between the partnership and the level’s existence.

In another instance, on June 16, 2022, the game was temporarily removed from Steam due to a takedown request for trademark infringement. This issue arose from the in-game nightclub name, Pryzm, which shares its name with a real-life nightclub chain in the UK. The game was reinstated on the platform just two days later.

Recent Success Amidst Challenges

Despite these challenges, Ready or Not has seen significant success. Following a highly successful launch on consoles, the game has sold over three million units within eight weeks of its release. Collectively, across all platforms, the total sales figure now exceeds thirteen million units.

The recent developments underscore both the complexities of managing community relations and the ongoing challenges and triumphs faced by game developers in today’s landscape.

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