GOG, a digital distribution platform for video games and a competitor to Steam, has issued a public apology after sending a newsletter that contained symbols associated with the Nazi SS. The email was distributed on June 5th and was intended to provide coverage for the game "The End of the Sun."
The company released a statement attributing the inclusion of the prohibited symbols to a "series of mistakes." According to GOG, the errors were multifaceted. They cited a specific miscommunication with their German Quality Assurance (QA) team. Germany maintains strict laws regarding the display of Nazi imagery, making the involvement of the regional QA team a critical point of failure in the review process.
Furthermore, the company pointed to technical difficulties involving inconsistent font rendering. This technical issue reportedly played a role in how the symbols were presented or detected during the drafting phase. Operational constraints also contributed to the incident; GOG noted that they were understaffed at the time because of a bank holiday. This shortage of personnel created gaps in their editorial oversight. By outlining these factors, GOG aimed to explain how the "series of mistakes" resulted in the offensive symbols being broadcast to their customers. The apology served to address the backlash regarding the insensitive nature of the content sent to recipients.
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