Overview

The Anita Sarkeesian Slay the Spire 2 Credit Controversy refers to online backlash over controversial feminist media critic Anita Sarkeesian being credited as a consultant in the 2026 video game Slay the Spire 2. Sarkeesian is a feminist blogger and commentator known as the founder of Feminist Frequency, which analyzes pop culture and social norms through a feminist lens.

In early May 2026, after Slay the Spire 2 had already sold millions of copies, her inclusion in the game's credits as a consultant went viral, inspiring online backlash and review bombing on the game's Steam page. Criticisms of Sarkeesian largely stem from a series of videos she made in 2013 about what she perceived as sexism in video games that analyze female characters in games and how they're portrayed. While Sarkeesian received backlash from some online for her work on Slay the Spire 2, she also received defense from others, who thought that the backlash was unwarranted and reactionary.

Background

In early May 2026, it was pointed out by some people online that Anita Sarkeesian is credited in Slay the Spire 2 as a consultant.

For example, on May 5th, 2026, X^[1] user @Momus_47 posted a screenshot of the Steam refund request page for Slay the Spire 2, which reportedly sold over 5 million copies in March 2026.^[2] The post gained over 8,900 likes and 1.2 million views in three days.

A video of the credits, showing Sarkeesian's name, was also posted to the /r/KotakuInAction^[3] subreddit that day, titled, "Guess who 'consulted' on Slay the Spire 2?" garnering over 300 upvotes in three days.

Sarkeesian is known for her "Tropes vs. Women In Video Games" series of videos on the Feminist Frequency YouTube channel, which explored women video game characters from a feminist lens and analyzes how sexism has affected their portrayal. This series was highly controversial with some gamers, especially during GamerGate.

Developments

Slay the Spire 2 Review Bombing Campaign

As Anita Sarkeesian's inclusion in the game's credits spread online in early May 2026, Slay the Spire 2's Steam page was purportedly review-bombed with negative reviews. An editorial about the backlash from The Gamer^[4] includes a graph showing the increase in negative reviews.

Online Reactions

In early May 2026, Anita Sarkeesian's role as a consultant in Slay the Spire 2 inspired both backlash and defense for Sarkeesian, as well as memes.

On May 5th, 2026, X^[5] user @Prazkat made a post pointing out that everybody enjoyed playing the game until one person pointed out her name in the credits, suggesting the outrage is forced, garnering over 9,500 likes in three days.

On May 6th, X^[6] user @GeraltofGoonia made a post supporting the review bombing of the game, writing, "Steam Chuds are DESTROYING Slay the Spire 2 in the Steam reviews for the involvement of the original woke grifter Anita Sarkeesian. LOVE to see it," gaining over 5,700 likes in two days.

That day, YouTuber^[7] Vara Dark – Dark Titan Media posted a video about the backlash that gained over 41,000 views in two days.

On May 7th, 2026, X^[8] user @AzalyZeldin posted a meme claiming that the video game One Iced Latte With Your Breast Milk, Please! does not include Sarkeesian as a consultant, garnering over 8,700 likes in a day.

Search Interest

External References