How Did the War Thunder Dev Address the Controversy Surrounding the Image Used in the Key Art?

War Thunder Devs Apologize for Insensitive Key Art

Gaijin Entertainment, the studio behind the popular vehicular combat game War Thunder, has come under fire for using an image of the catastrophic Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in key art for a recent update.

A Tragic Mistake

According to community manager “magazine2,” the explosion used in the artwork was “accidentally” sourced from an “aerial explosion reference pack” without the context of its real-world significance. This error sparked outrage among the game’s community, who recognized the unmistakable debris trails from the Challenger tragedy, which occurred in 1986 and claimed the lives of all seven crew members.

“We’ll be altering this artwork as soon as we can and will take measures to ensure that this doesn’t repeat again in the future,” magazine2 wrote on the War Thunder forums.

A History of Controversy

This incident is not the first time Gaijin Entertainment has faced controversy surrounding its use of source material. Players have previously highlighted real-world military documents being shared on the game’s forums, raising concerns about the sensitivity of such content.

Immediate Apology

Gaijin Entertainment reacted swiftly, acknowledging the mistake and apologizing for any distress caused. They pledged to rectify the situation and implement measures to prevent similar errors in the future.

A Lesson Learned

This incident underscores the importance of thorough research and sensitivity when using real-world events or imagery in entertainment products. While realism is a desirable feature in games like War Thunder, it should never compromise respect for real-world tragedies.

Moving Forward

The War Thunder community has been vocal in expressing both its outrage and understanding in response to this error. Gaijin Entertainment’s prompt apology and commitment to preventing future incidents have shown a willingness to listen and respond to feedback. The key art has been removed, and the studio is investigating ways to improve its content review processes.

This episode serves as a reminder that even in the fast-paced world of game development, the well-being of the audience and the sensitivities surrounding real-world tragedies must always take precedence.