Orcs Must Die! Dev Responds to "Toxic Players" Comments

Robot Entertainment recently made controversial comments about Orcs Must Die! Unchained that suggested toxic player behavior would be welcomed in the upcoming PC game. But this is not the case, not at all, according to a new statement from the developer.

"Before we get started, let us be crystal clear--toxic players that worsen the experience for the Orcs Must Die! Unchained community absolutely will not be tolerated," Robot Entertainment said in a statement to Polygon.

A closed beta for Orcs Must Die! Unchained began on Friday, and Robot Entertainment is looking for feedback to help fine-tune the game. However, "If a person chooses to restrict or impede upon the gameplay and community experience with inappropriate behavior, then we will ensure they are disciplined and, if needed, banned."

The studio went on to clarify that, yes, toxic players are an "unfortunate facet" of multiplayer gaming in 2014. The studio added that it wants to gather feedback from "passionate" players, but not toxic players. Robot Entertainment pointed out that it has a community management team at the ready to address toxic player behavior "quickly and decisively."

The controversy originated from a report on Friday, where Robot Entertainment designer Jerome Jones said, "There's probably something good about the toxic players showing up and sticking with your game. The good thing is probably that it's a good game. It's holding their interest, it's keeping them around. It's making them passionate enough to give a damn."