A senior developer at Sucker Punch Productions is facing massive backlash after posting a shocking social media comment about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The now-deleted tweet, which appeared hours after news broke of Kirk’s fatal shooting, has sparked anger across political and gaming communities alike, with many calling for boycotts of the studio’s upcoming game Ghost of Yotei.
Charlie Kirk’s unexpected death in Utah leaves nation stunned
On September 10, 2025, 31-year-old Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a major voice on the American right, was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. Footage from the event shows Kirk grabbing his neck as a gunshot rang out, collapsing as the crowd scattered.His death instantly became headline news. But while most of the internet was reacting with grief or debate, one developer’s tweet flipped the conversation entirely.
Deleted tweet by Sucker Punch developer inflames tensions even further
Shortly after news of Kirk’s fatal shooting spread, the developer posted: “I hope the shooter’s name is Mario so that Luigi knows his bro got his back.” Screenshots of the post hit X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit within minutes.Screenshots spread quickly, sparking arguments over whether gaming culture is too comfortable blurring the line between “dark humor” and outright mockery. The developer’s account has since been deleted, but the screenshots, as always, live on.
‘Boycott Ghost of Yotei’ trends as gamers push back
The outrage quickly turned into action. Gamers began posting proof of canceled pre-orders, calling for a boycott of Ghost of Yotei. Some said they wouldn’t support a studio that allowed employees to post divisive content tied to a real person’s death.Others defended the developer’s right to free speech, but even those voices admitted the timing and tone were “a terrible look.” For hours, #BoycottGhostOfYotei trended, showing how fast gaming communities can mobilize when a controversy hits.
Sucker Punch stays silent, fans demand answers
So far, Sucker Punch Productions hasn’t released a statement. The silence has only fueled frustration, with some players urging the studio to clarify whether the dev still works there.For now, the debate rages on: was this just one person making a bad joke, or does it signal something deeper about politics in gaming culture? Either way, the situation has placed Ghost of Yotei in the spotlight, for all the wrong reasons.
