Slavery: The Game, a Hoax That Hurts

A trailer recently emerged on YouTube that promises the release of a new game called “Slavery: The Game.” In it, the gamer plays a slave trader who buys, exploits, and even “disciplines” slaves, all while building up a personal slave trading empire. The most likely fake real-time strategy (RTS) game will be for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC, according to the trailer.

Not only does this trailer strike a cord for those who are descendants of former slaves, especially African Americans, but it also implicates real companies in its scheme, even if that scheme is just an elaborate attempt at trolling. According to the trailer, the company responsible is Javelin Reds Gaming, which is supposedly a subsidiary of The Creative Assembly. Moreover, Sony and Microsoft must approve games made for their consoles, and this trailer implies that they have done so.

While The Creative Assembly is known for making war strategy games, it has denied any connection to Javelin Reds or “Slavery: The Game.” Nevertheless, the damage is likely already done. Thousands of people who have viewed the trailer are already fuming, signing petitions to stop the game’s development, and likely protesting The Creative Assembly for something it most likely had no connection to or knowledge of its existence.

For something that is so purposefully offensive to sensible people, regardless of their race, this type of hoax is a PR knife in the back, a wound that The Creative Assembly will have to mend, even though it had no connection to it. This is the perfect example of how outside influences can sometimes affect a company’s public relations and why you should always be prepared for the unexpected.