In online gaming, where players traverse virtual landscapes, compete, and cooperate with or against other players in the pursuit of victory. However, sometimes events in the real world can have a huge impact on these digital realms.
One such incident occurred in Dead By Daylight, an 8-year-old game known for its intense multiplayer horror experience, when the voice actor behind the character ‘Unknown’ accused the studio of being transphobic. These accusations sent shockwaves through the gaming community, with the potential to tarnish the studio’s reputation.
Threats to Dead By Daylight‘s Reputation
The saga began with Voice actor Zoey Alexandria, a transgender woman, known for her role in Dead by Daylight as The Unknown. After the release of Unknown, the community accused it of being a transphobic and stereotypical character. This accusation stemmed from the character’s appearance as the creature is wearing a pink cheerleader dress.
After hearing community accusations, Alexandria defended herself by accusing the studio instead. She criticized that the character is a “man in a dress” and skin featuring a pink cheerleader dress is “transphobic”. Alexandria explained that she was tricked by the studio and she wouldn’t have voiced the character if she had known its appearance beforehand.
Behaviour Interactive responded to the allegations by clarifying that the character Unknown has no gender and wears the outfit of its victim. The official in-game information about the creature also states is the character is a malevolent entity that can even steal the voices of its prey.
After learning the character’s details, she addressed her initial statements, as reported by PinkNews. In an effort to rectify any misunderstandings and salvage her reputation, Alexandria clarified that she was not tricked by the studio but there was a lack of communication which led to such accusations and whole controversy. She added:
The skins themselves were never the issue, lack of communication was. They [Behaviour Interactive Studio] are not transphobic… Behaviour is a good company and has been nothing but kind and supporting through this tough process of receiving mass harassment for my involvement in the character.
However, the situation took a tragic turn when news of Zoey Alexandria’s passing surfaced on 30th April. She was 29 years old and was suffering from a rare autoimmune disorder. Her sudden death sent shockwaves through the gaming community and prompted a moment of reflection and introspection.
Lessons Learned and Paths Forward
Accusations of being transphobic or homophobic can easily ruin any company’s reputation, and Dead by Daylight found itself almost at the brink of disaster. The game’s integrity and commitment were called into question. This not only jeopardized the trust but also the loyalty of its player base.
Behaviour Interactive sincerely addressed the allegations, even were the first ones to share the sad news of Zoey Alexandria passing away. After this tragic incident, they have emphasized their commitment to fostering an inclusive gaming environment. They assured players that they did not condone any form of discrimination and pledged to take appropriate action to uphold their values. The studio further added:
We want to say loudly and unequivocally that this malicious content and attitude is unacceptable and has no place in Dead by Daylight. This community should be a safe place where EVERYONE can find a true sense of belonging. We will continue to express support to our voice actress, to all of our community members as well as standing actively against hate in our game.
As the game continues to evolve and thrive, this incident will serve as a harsh reminder of the challenges and responsibilities developers have to maintain when navigating through the complex intersection of gaming and real-world issues.
