Back on April 30th, Turtle Rock Studios Community Manager Josh Olin sent out these tweets about the Donald Sterling debacle:
“Here’s an unpopular opinion: Donald Sterling has the right as an American to be an old bigot in the security of his own home. He’s a victim.”
“When you were raised in an era where segregation was perceived as “right”, that will stick with some people. Doesn’t make him a monster.”
Following this, the Turtle Rock Studios (they are currently making Evolve) Twitter account offered up this statement, confirming that Olin had been let go from the company:
The comments made by our former community manager stand in stark contrast to our values as a game development studio. We sincerely apologize for his remarks and in no way endorse or support those views.
Around the time Olin’s firing came to light, he elaborated on his original tweets:
“The irony of my Donald Sterling tweet(s) was I was raising an issue with sensational media. Expressly not defending his remarks or actions.”
“I’ll remind you, my remarks were in condemnation of sensational media, and support of one’s privacy. Not in support of Sterling’s actions.”
“Final thoughts: I believe in racial equality & do not endorse bigotry in any way. I also believe in free speech and decry sensational media.”
Then, in a statement to Game Informer, Olin went into even further detail about the whole situation, even taking the time to say everyone should buy Evolve:
Anyone who follows me knows my tweets were not in support of Sterling’s actions. Rather, they were promoting three core tenets I believe in: 1) The harm sensational media presents to society. 2) The importance and sanctity of your privacy within your own home. And 3) The right to be whatever you want to be as an American, as long as it isn’t hurting anyone else. That last point not to be confused with condoning Sterling’s actions, which I don’t.
That said, it’s disappointing to see that a select few in Turtle Rock and 2K Games management bought into this hysteria without even having a conversation with me – or even thoroughly reviewing the context of the tweets themselves. Ironically, it serves as a great example of why I hold tenet #1 above so close to heart. That said, everyone should totally still buy Evolve. The guys and gals making that game know their ***, and are making it good.
