Back 4 Blood Zombies Accused Of Screaming The N-Word

Back 4 Blood has a hell of a lot riding on it. As the spiritual successor to Left 4 Dead, the zombie-blaster has some big boots to fill, and fans have some incredibly high expectations of the game.

The game is rapidly approaching, and testing has now rolled out to a number of streamers so they can give the game a spin and make sure it’s ready for launch, as well as giving the game a promotional boost. But, there’s one element of the game that seems…unfinished.

Are the Back 4 Blood zombies screaming the n-word?

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As first reported by streamer HomBKE via a video on Twitter, there are allegations that the zombies in Back 4 Blood are screaming racial slurs in their attack of players. As HomBKE approaches and tries to open a crate in the game, a zombie runs around the corner, seemingly screaming the N-word. Yikes.

It’s hard to ignore, and the more you listen, the more it sounds like a racial slur. However, we imagine it's an audible trick that has gone viral for all the wrong reasons. It seems like a nightmarish mistake for developers, especially as more users are reporting hearing the slur in-game during playthroughs.

Warner Bros. has now released a statement on the blunder and has insisted this was entirely a mistake.

Warner Bros. Apologises For ‘N-word’ Voice Line

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Warner Bros. has come forward to address the controversy the voice line has created and has insisted that it’s the result of some botched audio mixing. “Our team has been made aware of offensive language that can be heard when playing the game”, said WB.

“This was not recorded or ever intended to be part of our gameplay. The audio is a result of two different Ridden growls that are playing simultaneously and when heard together sound like that word. We are working diligently to fix this issue, which should be completed either in time for the Beta, or when the game launches.”

The mistake is a total disaster, and the absolute worst-case scenario for the studio - but many users have accepted the blunder as a mistake. Here’s hoping it's ironed out in time for launch, or they don’t make similar mistakes in the sound booth before the game’s launch. It's exactly the kind of negative press Back 4 Blood doesn't need.