CD Projekt, the famend sport developer, has publicly apologized for sure in-game dialogue and graffiti within the Ukrainian model of their hit sport, Cyberpunk 2077. The content material in query has been perceived as important of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The corporate has pledged to deal with these points in an upcoming replace, saying on VK and Telegram:
“The Ukrainian localization of Cyberpunk 2077 incorporates a number of remarks that might offend some Russian gamers. These remarks weren’t written by CD Projekt Purple staff and don’t signify our views. We’re working to rectify and change them within the subsequent replace. We apologize for this case and are taking measures to forestall its recurrence.“
The Ukrainian localization of Cyberpunk 2077, which was rolled out as a part of the numerous 2.0 replace earlier this month, included extra than simply linguistic modifications. As reported by Zone of Video games and additional highlighted by Rock, Paper, Shotgun, the sport featured distinctive commentary on the Russian-Ukrainian battle. Notably, a line of police dialogue was altered to incorporate the time period ‘Rusnia’ – a lately coined Ukrainian time period with derogatory implications in the direction of Russians, being modified from “Couldn’t all these assholes chew it out within the Badlands,” to “Couldn’t all this ‘rusnia’ chew it out within the Badlands?”
Moreover, one other dialogue within the sport alludes to Ukraine’s defiant response to Russia’s demand for the give up of Snake Island. The sport additionally showcases graffiti art work that mixes the Ukrainian coat of arms with a logo of the Crimean Tatars, superimposed on a map of Crimea.
Regardless of CD Projekt’s earlier assist for Ukraine, together with a donation of 1 million PLN ($243,000) to help displaced Ukrainian civilians and halting sport gross sales in Russia and Belarus, the corporate has distanced itself from these in-game modifications. In statements launched on Russian social platforms VK and Telegram, CD Projekt clarified that the remarks within the Ukrainian model “weren’t written by CD Projekt Purple staff and don’t signify our views.” The studio additional added, “We’re working to rectify and change them within the subsequent replace. We apologize for this case and are taking measures to forestall its recurrence.”
The duty for the Ukrainian adaptation of Cyberpunk 2077 lies with SBT Localization, a Ukrainian agency identified for its work on widespread titles corresponding to Baldur’s Gate 3 and Darkest Dungeon. The modifications have ignited debates amongst Russian and Ukrainian gamers on platforms like Steam and the CD Projekt boards. Some gamers have labeled the content material as “incitement” and indicative of an anti-Russian bias. Accusations of “open Nazism and Russophobia” have additionally been levied towards CD Projekt, with calls to ban all video games from Poland.
Whereas CD Projekt has shunned additional feedback on the controversy, efforts to achieve SBT Localization for extra insights are ongoing. Updates will probably be supplied upon receiving a response.
