An indie developer has used their patch notes on Steam for rather strange propaganda. Among bug fixes and features, there is a political message regarding medical masks. Within a few hours, the game loses almost all its good reviews.
Which game is it about? In Domina, you play the manager of gladiators. You train fighters for different disciplines in ancient Rome and let them compete for glory and the favor of politicians. Domina opts for a charming retro style in pixel look.
Domina is developed by the indie studio Dolphin Barn Incorporated. They keep pulling pranks in their patch notes. However, their latest “stunt” has caused overwhelmingly negative feedback.
What has Domina done? In the patch notes for the beta update v1.3.18 from March 9th, there is a reference to the masks. They must still be worn in many countries around the world due to the ongoing Corona pandemic. Domina now advises:
TAKE THE DAMN MASKS OFF – Next time in the store, try showing your face to a woman. Be confident, without fear of the LIES – You might find a girlfriend. Women like confidence. Women don’t like guys who hide their faces out of fear. What are you afraid of? Getting shut down? Grow up.
This paragraph in the patch notes has caused enormous backlash. The game, which previously had over 84% positive reviews, plummeted to just 16% overnight on March 12th, and the trend is declining. The rating has dropped from “very positive” to “mostly negative”.
“Women like respectful men”
So the players react: In the negative reviews recently, there is almost exclusively reference to the statement about the masks. The players warn against supporting a developer who “writes anti-mask slogans in the patch notes”.
Even the well-known Austrian streamer Pia “Shurjoka” Scholz voices her opinion on Twitter. She writes:
I’m returning your game. Just came here to tell you that.
Do you know what women like the most? Guys who are respectful and care about other people, especially the vulnerable. Telling others in your damn patch notes to take off the masks during a pandemic is disgusting. Get lost.
The developers also responded on Twitter, saying: “Never take them off! It’s good! It’s good!”
Dolphin Barn has previously hidden questionable messages in their patch notes. In May 2021 for instance about weak men who can no longer grow potatoes, about succubus breasts, and about porn consumption. While the developers have often stirred controversy with these, apparently the wink here was easier to recognize, and the reviews remained good. Now, however, a line seems to have been crossed.
Domina has temporarily lost its hidden gem status with this action. It likely could have remained successful for a while longer. Indie games generally receive a good amount of initial praise on Steam and can excite players there:
Indie game for €2.39 conquers Steam with vampires, looting, and leveling – 99% positive reviews
