The developers of Infestation 88, a recently launched horror game featuring Mickey Mouse, have been actively responding to allegations regarding potential Neo-Nazi references and other offensive content.
In discussions with Motherboard and Kotaku, the creators from Nightmare Forge Games expressed astonishment at the connection made between the number “88” and Neo-Nazi symbolism. They emphasized that their selection of the year 1988 as the game’s backdrop was purely for aesthetic purposes. The utilization of “88” was specifically for its visual symmetry within the game’s artwork, devoid of any underlying connotations. Currently, the developers are in the process of revising the artwork to prevent any misinterpretations and are willing to alter the game’s title if deemed necessary.
Although groups like Neo-Nazis have historically adopted numbers such as “14” and “88” to propagate their beliefs, the developers disavowed any deliberate link to such symbolism. They acknowledged the concerns raised due to the combination of the game’s title “Infestation” with the number “88” but maintained that there is no indication of any Neo-Nazi sentiments among the development team.
In light of feedback concerning moderation challenges and hate speech, a studio representative issued a formal apology on the game’s Discord channel and committed to enforcing stricter guidelines. The game’s title underwent a transition from “Indexation 88” to “Infestation: Origins” to distance itself from any contentious associations.
Infestation 88, described as a cooperative horror experience catering to 1-4 players, takes inspiration from Winnie the Pooh: Body and Honey, incorporating gameplay mechanics reminiscent of survival horror. The utilization of assets sourced from the Unity Store and the integration of AI-generated voices have sparked inquiries regarding the game’s development process. The studio acknowledged the temporary use of AI technology for voiceovers in the announcement trailer but intends to engage human voice actors for the final game release.
Amidst the backdrop of shovelware games crafted for swift financial gains, Infestation 88 has captured attention for its distinctive concept and thematic components. Scheduled for a potential launch in 2024, the game endeavors to provide an engaging experience for players intrigued by horror-themed cooperative gameplay.
