Instead of celebrating the debut of Splitgate 2, the focus soon shifted towards controversy, with the center of attention being a hat rather than the game’s mechanics.
Over the weekend at Summer Game Fest, Ian Proulx, game director from 1047 Games, appeared on stage wearing a black cap emblazoned with the phrase “Revive First-Person Shooters.” This catchy phrase, inspired by a popular political campaign slogan linked to former U.S President Donald Trump, promptly drew criticism across social media platforms and prominent gaming publications, who perceived it as a politically charged statement.
Proulx, who maintained that the hat should be viewed straightforwardly as a critique of modern first-person shooter games, confirmed to IGN that he stood by his decision to wear it without any regrets.
We, my companions and I, often discuss our feelings of being unfulfilled by contemporary first-person shooter (FPS) games. This sentiment seems to be conveyed in what we’re saying, which essentially boils down to a desire to create an extraordinary game, as we’re not entirely satisfied with the current state of FPS gaming.
He pointed out that the slogan has become extremely popular in internet culture, reminiscent of a 2017 photo showing Hideo Kojima wearing a comparable “Make TV Great Again” hat. At the time, it received minimal attention. “We felt this had already been overused in internet memes.
As a film enthusiast, let me set the record straight. I’m not making excuses, but rather providing clarity. This isn’t a veiled political comment or hidden agenda; it’s simply an accurate reflection of my thoughts, so please take them as they are.
As a passionate moviegoer and gaming enthusiast, I must admit that the current landscape of first-person shooter (FPS) multiplayer games has lost its allure for me. It’s like watching the same action flick over and over again. However, I’m excited to share that we’re working on a game that aims to inject fresh energy into this genre. Whether you’re craving the adrenaline rush of an Arena, the survival thrills of Battle Royale, or the strategic challenges of Onslaught, our upcoming title promises to cater to all these tastes and more. Stay tuned!
— Splitgate 2 (@Splitgate) June 7, 2025
Despite efforts to keep it apolitical, Proulx’s hat was swiftly perceived as a covert political comment by progressive gaming outlets. IGN’s analysis even drew links between the message on the hat and the ongoing political turmoil in Los Angeles, suggesting that the hat could be offensive given the surrounding protests against ICE raids and National Guard deployments.
From Defiance to Apology
Initially, Proulx remained unyielding. During an interview with IGN, conducted on Sunday, he declared: “I have no regrets about what I said… I’m expressing my honest sentiments, and my aim is to create an exceptional game for everyone.
But by Tuesday, Proulx reversed course and issued an apology in a video message posted online.
No excuses, I’m sorry.
— Splitgate 2 (@Splitgate) June 10, 2025
In the video, he expressed his regret by saying, “I want to apologize sincerely. It’s up to you whether or not you choose to believe me, but I want you to know that I am truly sorry. There is a divide in our community, and for this, I deeply apologize… Furthermore, I recognize that it isn’t just about my intentions; it’s about the effect I’ve had.
The apology prompted quick, predominantly unfavorable responses from indie game creators and critics of established gaming journalism.
Jeremy from Geeks + Gamers expressed, “Don’t bother with apologies. You made a major mistake… I won’t allow any oddballs to influence whom or what I stand for.
YouTube personality Smash JT added, “Oof. Never EVER Apologize to these marxists.”
Avoid such actions… You’re eroding the goodwill of gamers significantly. They’ll retaliate more vigorously, not just against you but also others associated with the situation.
— Grummz (@Grummz) June 10, 2025
Previously recognized World of Warcraft lead developer, Mark Kern (known as Grummz), cautioned, “Avoid such actions… You’re forfeiting all the goodwill from gamers. They’ll target you and others even more intensely now.
In simpler terms, Craig from the Sidescrollers podcast and The Real Game Awards expressed it as, “I guess we’ll see what the market has to say about it now.
YouTuber Endymion echoed the sentiment with a blunt, “Not a good look.”
Gaming Media vs. Gaming Audience
Reflecting on the recent event, I’ve noticed that the divide between gaming journalists and the gaming community seems to be widening even more. As a passionate gamer myself, I can’t help but feel a disconnect at times.
Although some outlets like IGN viewed Proulx’s action as insensitive and provocative, many fans saw it as a playful or invigorating criticism of the repetitiveness in the FPS genre. Advocates of Proulx’s initial stance highlighted their frustration with the formulaic approach of contemporary shooters and admired his push for creativity.
The dispute highlights a recurring trend over the past few years, as developers frequently find themselves stuck between the demands of the gaming press for political content and the growing preference among players for conventional gaming experiences, who are increasingly skeptical or dismissive of politically charged messaging in their games.
Not the Only Controversy
In my perspective, it wasn’t just the hat that sparked controversy; Proulx also voiced her concerns about Call of Duty during the event, remarking, “I’ve grown tired of playing the same Call of Duty each year.” This comment ignited heated debates among the Splitgate and Call of Duty online communities. Even the official Splitgate Twitter account, in a now-deleted post, interacted with a developer by humorously pointing out the repetitiveness of Call of Duty game titles.
Proulx clarified he wasn’t behind the post but took responsibility, calling it a misstep.
As a passionate filmgoer, I must admit that I’ve been quite disheartened by the recent controversy surrounding my favorite game. Initially, the microtransaction bundle was priced steeply at $145, which raised quite a few eyebrows. However, after facing significant backlash, the price was first reduced to $80 and later to $40. The game’s creator, Proulx, has since apologized for the high initial cost, attributing it to a former head of monetization. In an effort to make amends, Proulx has promised refunds for those who were affected by this pricing fiasco.
Moving Forward
Despite the past week’s debates over hats, Splitgate 2 has managed to attract over 2.5 million players. Proulx underscored the game’s promise and his ambition to regain the community’s trust. “Regardless of your feelings towards my initial statement, that is my objective here… a product that people want to back, where we are attentive to their feedback.”
However, according to numerous critics and independent creators, the potential harm might have been inflicted not so much by the hat itself, but by the subsequent choice to alter its underlying message.
Read More
2025-06-11 21:57