Developers at Deck Nine, the studio behind Life is Strange, reportedly found hidden Nazi symbols and hate speech in their game during development, leading to concerns about toxic work culture. The symbols included coded references to Adolf Hitler and racist memes, prompting the CEO to address the issue and hire an investigative group. The company plans to implement an anti-hate-speech policy and mandatory training, while also integrating new tools into their development pipeline to vet potentially offensive content.
Deck Nine, the developers behind the Life is Strange series, have been accused of fostering a toxic workplace culture including sexism, crunch, and abusive behavior. Allegations include staff working up to 80 hours a week, toxic behavior left unaddressed by management, and references to Nazi slogans and racist memes found in an upcoming game. The studio's response includes claims of implementing better practices and conducting thorough internal investigations.
A report by IGN has revealed allegations of toxic workplace culture at Life is Strange developer Deck Nine, including instances of hate speech, harassment, bullying, and abusive leadership. The investigation, based on testimonies from current and former employees, details a disconnect between the studio's inclusive values and its actual environment. The report also accuses Square Enix of pressuring Deck Nine and being reluctant towards diverse themes in the game. Deck Nine has responded with a statement emphasizing its commitment to diversity and addressing employee welfare.
