Yet another grown-man is facing consequences for his actions. YouTube personality, JonTron has had his minor speaking-role cut from the upcoming platformer, Yooka-Laylee. The game’s developer, Playtonic made this decision after Mr. Tron (real name Jon Jafari) shared his far-right views with the public.
A spiritual successor to the Rare lineup of cartoony 3D platformers, Yooka-Laylee smashed its Kickstarter funding goal in 2015. JonTron was going to voice a minor character in the new game. Yooka-Laylee is launching on April 11th, but according to Playtonic, it will do so without JonTron’s voice work.
In an official statement delivered to GamesIndustry.biz, Playtonic announced their intention to cut ties with the controversial Youtuber.
“JonTron is a talented video presenter who we were initially, two years ago, happy to include as a voice contributor in our game. However, in light of his recent personal viewpoints we have made the decision to remove JonTron’s inclusion in the game via a forthcoming content update. We would like to make absolutely clear that we do not endorse or support JonTron’s personal viewpoints and that, as an external fan contributor, he does not represent Playtonic in any capacity.”
A Debatable Downfall
Jafari’s “personal viewpoints” have garnered some backlash for the founder of the Normal Boots network. Some of these incendiary viewpoints can be heard during his debate with professional streamer, Steve Bonnell. Bonnell goes by the name, Destiny on Twitch.
Some of the little gems gleaned from the interview include Jafari’s statements that “we don’t need immigrants from incompatible places” and that Mexican immigrants are attempting to “break parts of America off back into Mexico.”
Jafari responded to Playtonic’s decision via Twitter. “Unfortunate to see Playtonic remove me from Yooka-Laylee, but I understand their decision. I wish them the best with their launch!” A far more measured response than that of some of his fans. Plenty of whom seem to think punishing someone for their terrible viewpoints is the same as censoring them.
https://twitter.com/maxime_lebled/status/845266151080968192
Remember, just because you can say whatever you like online doesn’t mean those opinions are exempt from criticism. Particularly if they are considered morally reprehensible by a company that doesn’t wish to endorse those views through association. Just because you can say what you think doesn’t mean anyone has to support or condone it. Certainly not a colorful 3D platformer full of oddball characters.
Informative!
I have a feeling the only issues around immigration this Jon Tron fellow understands are ones revolving around stormcloaks & those damn imperials!
“we don’t need immigrants from incompatible places”
Is this supposed to be a controversial statement?
I’d say it’s more ignorant than actually controversial. I mean, WTF is an incompatible place anyway? Atlantis?
Muslims countries where women get stoned for simply removing their hijabs or throw gay people off rooftops for being gay.
Believe it or not not every place in the world has the same values as Western countries. Maybe look into Tim Pool’s investigative journalism in Sweden and stop being so ignorant about the issues of mass immigration. Look into the refugee crisis in Europe. Maybe watch some Youtube videos where people get beheaded in public for the stupidest of things. Look into what happened in Japan for taking refugees, many muslims wanted to behead a cartoonist for supposedly making fun of Islam…. This is what it means to be incompatible. Not being able to integrate or respect the values of others countries.
Deleted a couple comments that were in defense of xenophobia, because that ignorance has no place anywhere, especially here.
Was your comment deleted leading you to feel angry or oppressed? No one here cares. Never come back, your ‘contributions’ are not valued.
“Agree with unrestricted immigration or else you’re evil!” Nice.