Video game publisher THQ Nordic has followed up with an apology after its interview on the 8chan website. The publisher held an AMA (Ask Me Anything) interview on a website that is filled with controversial pornographic material.
On Tuesday, THQ Nordic announced to be hosting a AMA over at 8chan. The session had been announced a day prior on 8chann’s sub-board by its own moderators. However it was the official announcement by THQ Nordic that gained wide attention.
"I personally agreed to this AMA without doing my proper due diligence to understand the history and the controversy of the site. I do not condone child pornography, white supremacy, or racism in any shape or form. (…)
— THQNordic (@THQNordic) February 26, 2019
8chan is a controversial site that has the reputation of hosting child pornography and other disturbing and illegal material. Google had also once delisted the website for its boards dedicated to pedophilia and fascism. It is also known for racism, misogyny and harassment.
Within three hours of the AMA interview, THQ Nordic changed tracks and called out the reputation of 8chan for illegal and despicable content. PR and marketing director Philipp Brock wrote:
I personally agreed to this AMA without doing my proper due diligence to understand the history and the controversy of the site. I do not condone child pornography, white supremacy, or racism in any shape or form. I am terribly sorry for the short-sightedness of my decision and promise to be far more vigorous in my assessment of these activities in the future. This was not about being edgy, this blew up and I very much regret to have done it in the first place.
But the apology does not sit well especially considering how THQ Nordic had answered the various questions. In one such question, asked by someone who had posted a drawing of a man groping a young girl.
Another reply was made to a comment that was asking to censor any games nor appeal to the SocJus (Social Justice) crowd as the company is doing fine as is. To which THQ responded that they will “try to stay that way.”
Do you think the apology is enough? Or do you think more should be done? Post your thoughts and opinions below.
