GoG uses SS runes for "Slavic adventures" promotion

[The Firebird]

So the game has been out for 18 months. Is there any indication that the content is objectionable?

 

[CandyLaser]

So the game has been out for 18 months. Is there any indication that the content is objectionable?

Based on reviews and commentary I've read, it sounds to me like the game itself uncritically repeats a bunch of pseudohistory about Slavic paganism as if it were real. Some of that material stems from Nazi and neo-Nazi attempts to co-opt paganism and pagan imagery. The game itself doesn't seem to be promoting Nazi ideology.

EDIT: I've been watching a playthrough at 2x speed and thus far haven't seen anything problematic apart from the kolovrat. I'm not planning on finishing the video, though. At the moment I think the blame here lies on GOG, not the game designers.

 

[Ancalagon]

A lot of people are trying to distance themselves from it, including the game makers who are wondering why on earth did they use the S S runes in a newsletter.

Meanwhile, the newsletter writer is going to lose their job IMO - they admitted realizing it would look bad, changed it for Germany only and published anyway. (see image)

 

[Ancalagon]

So the game has been out for 18 months. Is there any indication that the content is objectionable?

comments on reddit indicate that it lack historical accuracy, and that disturbingly, these inaccuracies have been pushed/created by fascists in the past. However the game doesn't seem to be inherently fascist.

I have followed the game's development for quite a while and having played the game's original demo it looked like it would be an amazing depiction of Slavic traditions and culture, boy was I wrong, but we will start with the good parts.

Pros:
-Beautiful graphics with a well made world with a nice atmosphere
-Sound design of the game is absolutely excellent with an amazing soundtrack
-Enjoyable gameplay and puzzles

Cons:
-Made up religious beliefs and traditions that have no historical attestation and seem to originate from the "Book of Veles" which is a proven falsification
-Usage of symbols that aren't historically attested to have been used by Slavs, and also using symbols that are modern creations (symbol of Veles), also using the inappropriate version of the "Othala" as the game uses the Non-Friendly German variant instead of the historical Slavic one, nor is it the Nordic Othala
-Overusage of the Kolovrat, which while historically attested, is not as historically common as the game makes it out to be and other symbols were much more common
-Inaccurate clothes which make the characters look like they're partaking in some form of cheap LARP of medieval Slavs
-Inaccurate naming of characters - the game uses the name "Samodiva/Wiła" for an undead water spirit, this is known as a "Rusalka" in all folklore while a "Samodiva" is a forest spirit, but the developer chose to go with the chosen name as he seems to not be versed in the folklore when I asked him about this on a forum.
-Depictions of spirits such as the "Leszy" seem to be based more on existing media rather than folklore as the Leszy looks like he came out of The Witcher 3
-Aryan Slavs? The game has only a handful of characters appearing. 4 out of 5 of these characters have blonde hair and one has black hair, and 4 out of 5 characters have blue eyes, while the 5th has green. Overall, I would give this game a 1/10 for accuracy but a 9/10 for gameplay, music, etc.

It doesn't look like the game is pushing a political narrative directly, but it does reinforce the vision of the past which is completely invented and is used by fascists.

 

[gnarlygninja]

I would be pretty hesitant to label most of that objectionable, especially in the context of a discussion around nazi stuff.

 

[Ancalagon]

I am going to have to agree with you on this one. Your can't ban symbols simply due to the usage by terrible groups.

Actually, you can (edit for clarity: you can ban hateful symbols). A number of countries have done so.

Reclaiming hateful symbols can be done... but is a video game with historical inaccuracies that happen to align with the users of the hateful symbols' ideas about history the place to do so?

 

[Ancalagon]

I would be pretty hesitant to label most of that objectionable, especially in the context of a discussion around nazi stuff.

You would be hesitant to label the double Siegrune as objectionable?

 

[CandyLaser]

You would be hesitant to label the double Siegrune as objectionable?

As best I can tell, that's only in the marketing email from GOG, which the game designers had no say over.

 

[DammitVictor]

By all means, walk down the streets of Berlin with a swastika banner, then. I am sure they'll appreciate it.

Or, you know, a Confederate flag down the streets of Atlanta... oh wait.

It's nice to know this naughty word joke of a forum's rules about denigrating other peoples' religious beliefs and symbols are worth the paper they're printed on.

 

[gnarlygninja]

You would be hesitant to label the double Siegrune as objectionable?

Does it seem more likely that I'd be hesitant to label the thing I said was indefensible earlier in this topic or the list of things in your post immediately before mine that specifically uses the word objectionable?