Skullgirls Update Controversy

Overview

Skullgirls Update Controversy, also known as Skullgirls Censorship Changes Controversy, refers to the discussion surrounding a June 2023 update to the indie fighting game Skullgirls that altered or removed some suggestive imagery and themes, including the sexualization of an underage character and symbols reminiscent of real-life Nazis. The changes were met with vocal protest and review bombing on Steam, though some longtime fans of the game argued the changes were minor and that those upset were protesting perceived political correctness rather than how the changes affected the game.

Background

On June 24th, 2023, Skullgirls director Charley Price posted in the Skullgirls forums^[1] about an update that addressed some of the game's edgier elements. The key adjustments included the removal of some symbols from the villainous Renoir family and Black Egrets group that bore a resemblance to Nazism (like red armbands), the toning down of some sexually suggestive elements (including the groping of an underage character and an upskirt shot of said character) and adjusting some racial content believed to be in poor taste. The full list of adjustments was posted in a separate thread.^[2]

On June 26th, YouTuber LalitoTV posted before-and-after comparisons of the original and adjusted artworks and scenes in the game (shown below).

Online Reactions

The changes on June 24th, 2023, quickly led to review bombing on Steam,^[3] as the game's overall "Very Positive" rating on the platform was tempered by a "Mostly Negative" rating from recent reviews. Most of the recent negative reviews complained about the update and the developers removing or adjusting some of the game's contentious elements.

Some users criticized that the changes were not in line with the original creator's vision, alluding to the collapse of Skullgirls original studio Lab Zero after its head Mike Zamont joked about the killing of George Floyd and was accused of alleged inappropriate workplace behavior.^[4] Since the collapse of Lab Zero, the studios Hidden Variable, which worked on the mobile port of the game, and Future Club, a studio founded by ex-Lab Zero developers, have been working on Skullgirls.

As word spread of the update on Twitter, several users denounced and complained about the changes. For example, on June 27th, user ItsClaptrap^[5] decried the changes as a form of censorship, gaining over 590 retweets and 3,700 likes in one day (shown below, left). Also that day, user @SavedYouAClickFGC^[6] voiced support for those complaining, gaining over 370 retweets and 2,100 likes in a similar timeframe (shown below, right).

In contrast, others argued the backlash to the changes was overblown, noting that many were perceived by them as minor and served to make the game slightly less graphic. For example, on June 27th, 2023, Twitter user @GaeleyFGC^[7] posted a Home Movies parody of people complaining about the changes, gaining over 2,500 retweets and 13,000 likes in one day (shown below, left). On June 26th, user @arkei_mgtg^[8] posted a collage from the Steam review page, which implied that those review-bombing the game had not invested any time into it and were not sincerely upset about the tweaks.

Another point of controversy was the removal of four pieces of guest art from the gallery of the game, which was accessed as paid DLC. For example, on June 26th, Twitter user @LumpyTheCook^[9] criticized the move in a tweet that gained over 1,000 retweets and 6,400 likes in two days (shown below, top). Also that day, noted animated pornography creator ZONE-sama (who created some art for the game) chimed in, saying he wouldn't be offended if Skullgirls developers wanted to remove his art from the game^[10] (his work has not removed from the game at this time). This statement subsequently irked those who were upset about the changes (shown below, bottom).

Search Interest

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External References