Evolve community manager sacked over Sterling race row comments

Evolve community manager sacked for seemingly backing owner Sterling

It’s disappointing to see that a select few in Turtle Rock and 2K Games management bought into this hysteria”

The developer of 2K Games title Evolve has sacked its community manager Josh Olin after comments he made on Twitter regarding former LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling.

Sterling was banned from NBA for life after a recording of him telling his former girlfriend not to bring black people to basketball games was leaked online.

Speaking of the incident on social media, Olin said: Here’s an unpopular option: Donald Sterling has the right as an American to be an old bigot in the security of his own home. He’s a victim.”

Turtle Rock subsequently took to Twitter to say: The comments made by our former community manager stand in stark contrast to our values as a game development studio. We sincerely apologize for his remarks and in no way endorse or support those views.”

Olin later defended himself to Kotaku, saying that his comments related to freedom of speech and not racism.

Anyone who follows me knows my tweets were not in support of Sterling’s actions. Rather, they were promoting three core tenets I believe in: 1) The harm sensational media presents to society. 2) The importance and sanctity of your privacy within your own home. And 3) The right to be whatever you want to be as an American, as long as it isn’t hurting anyone else.

That last point not to be confused with condoning Sterling’s actions, which I don’t. That said, it’s disappointing to see that a select few in Turtle Rock and 2K Games management bought into this hysteria without even having a conversation with me – or even thoroughly reviewing the context of the tweets themselves.”

He has since said on Twitter that the situation was very poorly handled by malleable management”.

The comments made by our former community manager stand in stark contrast to our values as a game development studio. <1/2>

— Turtle Rock Studios (@TurtleRock) May 1, 2014

We sincerely apologize for his remarks and in no way endorse or support those views. <2/2>

— Turtle Rock Studios (@TurtleRock) May 1, 2014