In response to video game journalists’ collective outcry of racism, Sony has forced Stellar Blade developer Shift Up Corporation to censor the highly-anticipated game. However, fans who have been waiting for the game are not happy with the bait-and-switch since it was advertised as an uncensored product leading up to its release. As a result, Gamers are being advised to cancel their PlayStation Plus subscriptions over Sony forcing Stellar Blade to censor the “racist” graffiti and sexy outfits.
Sony’s forced censorship of Stellar Blade came rapidly in response to a screenshot allegedly shared amongst video game journalists who declared that one instance of graffiti in the game referred to the N-word, a racial slur used in the United States for black people. However, Sony took things further by also modifying some outfits, deemed by video game journalists as overly-sexualized, to be changed as well which gamers were quick to point out.
Stellar Blade is rated M for Mature by the ESRB which makes Sony’s censorship of Stellar Blade a puzzling and contradictory one. Especially since many games offered on PlayStation show female characters wearing similarly skimpy and sexy outfits. The issue of the outfits being censored is the main problem here. Rather, the outfits were advertised in order to generate pre-order sales which gives credence to the claim that the outfits being censored makes this move a bait-and-switch on the part of Sony.
As a result of Stellar Blade’s censoring, a boycott has been suggested not for Stellar Blade itself, but for Sony. More specifically, gamers are urged to cancel Sony’s PlayStation Plus subscription which allows users to play online and provides other features. The call to boycott PlayStation plus is being spearheaded by former video game executive Mark “Grummz” Kearn who posted on X/Twitter,
“Boycott, but Boycott the RIGHT target. We’re also going to Support Stellar blade. Send the real target SONY a message. Cancel yourPlaystation+ subscription. Give the reason as #FreeStellarBlade and get them to allow Shift Up to change it back.
Buy physical copies of the game instead. Don’t give Sony their digital margin.”
In addition, a #FreeStellarBlade petition has also been started by Kearn. The petition’s goal is to convince Sony to revert the censorship changes made to Stellar Blade. Kearn also posted an “8 Step Plan to #FreeStellarBlade” which gives advice to consumers on how to approach this situation which involves contacting Sony and Shift up as well as boycotting Sony’s online subscription service.
According to the petition,
“Stellar Blade is a phenomenal new game that just launched on Playstation 5 worldwide. But it has a problem. The content has been censored from the original trailer version posted by Sony. We, as gamers, want this content back. We relied on it, we made the game the #1 pre-order worldwide because of it, and this is the true game we want.
Stellar Blade is more than a game, it has become a cultural beacon for freedom of expression in a time where Game Publishers like Sony are censoring games more than ever. Stellar Blade was a breath of fresh air and gamer rallied behind it because it meant things were changing, getting better, and the voice of creative freedom was ringing loud and clear.
But for reasons unknown, the game was censored, changes were made. What we received after our good faith purchase was not the same as advertised.
We believe in the game, we believe in Shift Up, and we are asking to get the game we believed in. Revert the censorship changes, patch the game, and you will find that even more gamers will join you and support you!
All gamers can help by signing this petition. It will be printed in Korea and delivered in Korea to Shift Up offices, and physically printed and delivered to Sony Playstation North America offices. Spread this petition on Social Media with the #FreeStellarBlade hashtag.”
Currently, the petition is gaining momentum as it has over 600 signatures in less than an hour of being launched at the time of this article’s posting.
Update: The petition has reached over 63,000 signatures so far.
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