New Skullgirls patch changes in-game artwork, removing Nazi-inspired armbands and gratuitous panty shots of an underage fighter. A Steam review bomb followed.
The latest update for decade-old fighting game Skullgirls focuses entirely on altering elements of the indie fighting game that could be considered too risqué, controversial, or insensitive. Those changes include updates to costumes that feature Nazi-inspired iconography and upskirt shots of a female fighter in the game who is only 16 years old.
Since the release of the update, Skullgirls has been hit with a deluge of negative reviews on Steam from those who apparently want the game to continue sexually objectifying a minor and celebrating Nazis.
“As many of you know, Skullgirls has had a long and colorful history shaped by a variety of contributors over the years,” said Charley Price, creative director at Skullgirls developer Hidden Variable, in a statement on the game’s official forums. “As we look ahead towards the future of Skullgirls, we have reflected upon past decisions regarding certain content that has undermined the many things that make Skullgirls truly unique and special.”
Skullgirls debuted in 2012 as the brainchild of veteran fighting game competitor Mike Zaimont and artist Alex Ahad. The extensive knowledge of the former and the unique, art deco style employed by the latter combined to create an instant hit among hardcore fans of the fighting game genre. More recently, however, reports of Zaimont’s sexually inappropriate behavior behind the scenes has resulted in a shifting of control over the Skullgirls brand. Its new developers now also sound ready to distance themselves from some of the game’s seedier flourishes.
While a large part of Skullgirls’ appeal lies with its cartoonish depiction of women as cheesecake pinup models, this detail veered from simply off-color to inappropriate when it came to Filia, the game’s mascot.
