Dead Island developer apologises for 'sexist' line of code

Dead Island developer apologises for 'sexist' line of code
Techland says it is "disturbed" by wording in line of code revealed by Steam forum goers.

The launch of Dead Island did not go as smoothly as hoped. When the game made its way to Steam, it turned out to be an incorrect developer version of the game. It has since been replaced to the proper final version of the game, but one little nasty detail got out.



Inside a file, Data0.pakDatadefault_player_setup.scr, is a reference to a skill in the game that gives a female character an extra 15 percent damage against men. In the final version of the game, this skill is "Gender Wars". In the not-for-public version, it appears to be called "Feminist Whore" ("FeministWhorePurna" found in default_player_setup.scr).

"It obviously violates professional and ethical standards at Techland and should never have happened," Blazej Krakowiak, international brand manager, told Eurogamer. "We're investigating this right now and we'll issue a statement later. For now, I can only express my sincerest apologies for this incident and assure you that whoever acted so irresponsibly did not represent the views and opinions of Techland."

"I'm equally sure that aside from the author of that unfortunate line of code, everyone at the office is as disturbed by this as you are."

Written by: James Delahunty @ 10 Sep 2011 2:48
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  • 11 comments
  • xbkrypt0n

    Are you effing kidding me? Isn't there a wifebeater somewhere who you could pick on instead of some bit of code?

    10.9.2011 03:44 #1

  • Dela

    Originally posted by xbkrypt0n: Are you effing kidding me? Isn't there a wifebeater somewhere who you could pick on instead of some bit of code? Hey I'm not picking on anyone, I'm just covering what they said. What I think is more bizarre is if you watch the trailer for Dead Island, it shows (albeit backwards) a little girl being killed and falling out a window, yet apparently that's fine... but a potentially sexist "word" in one line of code in a not-for-public version of a game.... ;-)

    10.9.2011 03:49 #2

  • nonoitall

    Quote:"I'm equally sure that aside from the author of that unfortunate line of code, everyone at the office is as disturbed by this as you are."
    So no other developers saw this code? That's one outstandingly modular piece of software!

    10.9.2011 03:50 #3

  • FreddyF

    Sadly, I women (and men, MORE MEN) that would aspire to earning that skill...

    It is interesting that today in most socities, a woman who sleeps around is a whore and looked down on, and man who sleeps around is a hero and idolized...

    10.9.2011 04:48 #4

  • JOHNSTARR

    They should apologize for the game play instead...

    No time for Leap frog!!!

    10.9.2011 06:01 #5

  • KillerBug

    Originally posted by FreddyF: Sadly, I women (and men, MORE MEN) that would aspire to earning that skill...

    It is interesting that today in most socities, a woman who sleeps around is a whore and looked down on, and man who sleeps around is a hero and idolized...
    I think you are viewing that from the female side a bit too much...a woman that sleeps around a lot is fun (assuming you are not in a committed relationship), and a man that sleeps around a lot is a cock-blocking bastard.


    10.9.2011 07:56 #6

  • xboxdvl2

    Originally posted by KillerBug: Originally posted by FreddyF: Sadly, I women (and men, MORE MEN) that would aspire to earning that skill...

    It is interesting that today in most socities, a woman who sleeps around is a whore and looked down on, and man who sleeps around is a hero and idolized...
    I think you are viewing that from the female side a bit too much...a woman that sleeps around a lot is fun (assuming you are not in a committed relationship), and a man that sleeps around a lot is a cock-blocking bastard.
    im sure if you look at tiger woods hes not viewed as a hero.people idiolise paris hilton all she did was make a few pornos,appear in a few movies and make a song (that sounds terrible).

    NEWSFLASH : discrimination is real it happens in real life.

    R.I.P. mr 1990 ford falcon.got myself a 1993 toyota corolla seems to run good.computers still going good.

    10.9.2011 11:55 #7

  • IguanaC64

    Tiger Woods is disliked because he cheated on his wife in a very stupid and public way...not because he was sleeping around.

    Your average person with an IQ over 80 does not idolize Paris Hilton. Paris is a blight on humanity.

    Guys who refer to women as "feminist whores" have issues.

    That is all.

    10.9.2011 17:21 #8

  • ranivus (unverified)

    Originally posted by JOHNSTARR: They should apologize for the game play instead... They should apologize for the rediculous amount of bugs instead. 2 save games ruined b/c of their horrid coding.

    11.9.2011 16:42 #9

  • FreddyF

    Originally posted by ranivus: Originally posted by JOHNSTARR: They should apologize for the game play instead... They should apologize for the rediculous amount of bugs instead. 2 save games ruined b/c of their horrid coding. Agree, fix the software then worry about possible perceived insults.

    Most guys know better than to refer to any woman like that, however I have heard women refer to them selved and each other like this, which they find acceptable. I even saw one driving a car (USA) with the vanity license plate "SLUT". How's that for advertising.....

    12.9.2011 10:19 #10

  • SoulGLOW

    Originally posted by KillerBug: Originally posted by FreddyF: Sadly, I women (and men, MORE MEN) that would aspire to earning that skill...

    It is interesting that today in most socities, a woman who sleeps around is a whore and looked down on, and man who sleeps around is a hero and idolized...
    I think you are viewing that from the female side a bit too much...a woman that sleeps around a lot is fun (assuming you are not in a committed relationship), and a man that sleeps around a lot is a cock-blocking bastard.
    Holy shit thats funny dude

    18.9.2011 09:07 #11

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