Nintendo angers gamers after it deletes custom Smash Bros stage featuring trans flag
CHIBA, JAPAN – SEPTEMBER 21: A visitor plays the Biohazard revelations 2 video game on Nintendo Co.’s Switch game console in the Capcom Co. booth during the Tokyo Game Show 2017 at Makuhari Messe on September 21, 2017 in Chiba, Japan. The annual game show, which features games from 345 exhibitors for various platforms from game consoles to mobile phones, takes place September 21-24 and will feature eSports. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)
Nintendo has come under scrutiny for deleting a gamer’s custom-made stage on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate that featured a transgender pride flag.
The player – known as Warm Safflina on social media – who seemingly made the stage took to Twitter to share her confusion over it being erased. Tagging the Japanese company directly, she asked: “In what way is the trans flag and the title “trans rights now” inappropriate and/or harmful,” before going on to explain that she’d reached out to customer support for answers.
Nintendo’s Code of Conduct
Shortly after those initial tweets, Warm Safflina continued: “The exact reason it was taken down was because it is considered a “political statement”. She also noted that her account was also suspended for nine hours.
Gamer Warm Safflina took to social media to ask Nintendo directly what was ‘so harmful’ about her stage (Twitter)
“The supervisor told me they personally don’t agree with the ruling, and recommended I and others contact corporate, or visit the Smash support forums and leave messages that the trans flag and messages of support for trans rights shouldn’t be prohibited.”
Many replied to Warm Safflina’s thread with messages or support, saying things like, “it’s important to stand against the h*** menace wherever it appears. Thank you for your service” and “this is a bad look for Nintendo in 2019.”
“I got no time for that s*** in 2019”
One user vehemently disagreed with Nintendo’s attempts at controlling what gamers can openly support online, writing: “I’ll “preach” about ‘rights’ til I’m dead in the cold hard ground. Being ‘apolitical’ is a privilege and a choice, and I got no time for that s**t in 2019.”
Another said: “If it was a flag that promoted the power of men or straightness, no one would bat an eye. You’ll be ok little furry friend.”
Another questioned how they could still see other more stereotypically political symbols within the game if the trans flag was deemed inappropriate.
Warm Safflina’s supporters argued that they had seen flags that were much more political and harmful within the game (Twitter)
Others, however, defended Nintendo’s right to take down the stage, stating that because it’s a private company, it should be allowed to do what it wants.
Someone tried to explain that it likely took down the stage so as not to create “any conflict with either sides of this political party thing in order to not lose profits and customers”. They added: “I’m positive that they didnt take it down in a transphobic matter.”
