Reddit’s Lords of the Fallen Subreddit Erupts: Devs Banned, CEO Claps Back at ‘Woke’ Critics
In early 2025, the Lords of the Fallen subreddit, r/LordsoftheFallen, became a battleground when moderators banned developers, including CI Games’ CEO Marek Tymiński, accusing them of promoting “fascist ideology” and a “politically motivated agenda.” The dramatic fallout, amplified by posts on X and reported by outlets like Fandom Pulse and That Park Place, saw Tymiński and his team launch a new subreddit, r/TheLordsOfTheFallen, to foster a “politics-free” community. The incident, rooted in a clash over player feedback and accusations of “woke” interference, has ignited debates about moderation, developer-player relations, and the role of politics in gaming. This article delves into the controversy, its causes, and its implications for the industry.
The Spark: A Subreddit Power Struggle
Lords of the Fallen, a 2023 soulslike RPG developed by Hexworks and published by CI Games, has been a polarizing yet successful title, selling over one million copies in its first ten days despite mixed reviews (73/100 on OpenCritic). Its Version 2.0 update, released April 17, 2025, introduced seamless co-op, an overhauled character creator, and refined combat, earning praise for addressing launch issues like performance bugs and clunky mechanics. However, the game’s community faced internal strife when r/LordsoftheFallen moderators clashed with developers over community engagement.
The conflict began when Tymiński, known for his player-first approach, conducted polls on X to gather feedback on features like character customization and UI improvements. Some moderators interpreted these actions as pandering to “anti-progressive” sentiments, particularly after Tymiński responded to player complaints about “DEI” (diversity, equity, inclusion) in the game’s character creator. On February 7, 2025, moderators issued a statement titled “Addressing the CEO of CI Games’ Politically Motivated Agenda,” accusing Tymiński of “promoting fascist ideology” by catering to gamers who opposed “woke” elements. They stripped developers of admin powers and banned them from the subreddit, citing concerns over “misinformation” and “incitement of violence.”
Tymiński fired back on X, stating, “I took screenshots of all the comments before they started getting deleted on that Reddit Nzi post. Almost all the comments were against the ban or calling me a Nzi – which must have triggered them to start deleting. We have everything! The truth ALWAYS wins!” His response, echoed by fans on X like @Pirat_Nation and @RealLuis2020, framed the moderators as “radical far-left lunatics” enforcing a “political echo chamber.” In response, CI Games launched r/TheLordsOfTheFallen, promising a space focused on gameplay discussions.
The Context: “Woke” Debates in Gaming
The Lords of the Fallen drama reflects broader tensions in gaming culture, where terms like “woke” and “DEI” have become lightning rods. The game’s updated character creator, which offers diverse body shapes and facial details for male and female models, was praised by some for inclusivity but criticized by others as “pandering” to modern sensibilities. Unlike Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which faced backlash for explicit queer and trans representation, Lords of the Fallen’s changes were subtler, yet still sparked accusations of “woke” influence on forums like Steam and Reddit.
This isn’t the first time Lords of the Fallen’s community has faced moderation controversies. In 2023, Hexworks was criticized for censoring Reddit posts about performance issues, with threads deleted for downplaying “occasional hiccups.” The 2025 incident, however, escalated due to ideological accusations. Moderators’ claims of “fascism” stemmed from Tymiński’s engagement with players who preferred “traditional” character options, which some interpreted as code for rejecting DEI. Outlets like SmashJT argued that moderators framed these preferences as “racist/transphobic,” shutting down dissent to enforce a “progressive orthodoxy.”
The gaming industry has seen similar clashes. Baldur’s Gate 3’s success showed inclusivity can thrive without backlash when paired with quality, while The Veilguard’s commercial struggles fueled arguments that “woke” games alienate players. Lords of the Fallen, with its gritty, dark fantasy aesthetic, was seen by some as a refuge from such trends, making the subreddit’s moderation actions particularly divisive.
The Fallout: A Fractured Community
The ban sparked a mass exodus from r/LordsoftheFallen, with users accusing moderators of power abuse. Comments on the original ban post, before deletions, overwhelmingly opposed the moderators, with some preserved in screenshots shared by Tymiński. The new subreddit, r/TheLordsOfTheFallen, quickly gained traction, with CI Games promoting it as a “community-focused” alternative. Posts on X, like @Pirat_Nation’s, called for boycotting the original subreddit, labeling moderators “fascists” for stifling developer input.
Players expressed frustration over the politicization of a game meant to be about “slaying gods, not debating ideology,” as one Redditor put it. The controversy overshadowed Version 2.0’s positive reception, which included a Free Friend’s Pass and shared co-op progression, hailed by PCGamesN as making the game “feel like a new release.” Some fans worried the drama could hurt the game’s sequel, Death of the Fallen, slated for 2026 as an Epic Games exclusive.
Moderators defended their actions, claiming they were protecting the community from “harmful rhetoric.” However, their lack of transparency—deleting comments and refusing dialogue—drew comparisons to Reddit’s broader moderation issues, where unaccountable volunteers often impose personal biases. That Park Place noted, “To the woke, all you have to do to be accused of being a Nazi is do what was perfectly acceptable five years ago.”
Industry Implications: Developers vs. Communities
The Lords of the Fallen saga highlights the growing divide between developers and fan communities in the age of social media. Tymiński’s direct engagement, while praised for transparency, exposed him to accusations of fueling “anti-progressive” sentiment. This mirrors other controversies, like Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ backlash over historical inaccuracies, where developers faced criticism for catering to “modern audiences.” As GamesRadar noted, developers must navigate high expectations in a polarized climate, balancing creative vision with player demands.
Reddit’s role as a gaming hub amplifies these tensions. Subreddits like r/gaming or r/pcgaming often become battlegrounds for ideological debates, with moderators wielding significant power. The Lords of the Fallen case echoes 2023’s r/WallStreetBets drama, where moderators clashed with users over content control. For developers, maintaining a presence on such platforms is a double-edged sword: it fosters connection but risks entanglement in culture wars.
CI Games’ decision to create a new subreddit signals a shift toward developer-controlled spaces. Similar moves, like CD Projekt Red’s official Cyberpunk 2077 forums, suggest studios are seeking alternatives to Reddit’s volatility. However, this risks alienating fans who value Reddit’s organic community, as seen in r/LordsoftheFallen’s initial dominance.
Looking Forward: A Path to Reconciliation?
The Lords of the Fallen controversy underscores the need for clearer moderation policies and developer-community dialogue. Tymiński’s commitment to player feedback, evident in over 50 post-launch updates, has kept the game alive despite 2024’s layoffs at CI Games. Version 2.0’s success, with features like a dedicated jump button and improved tutorials, shows the value of listening to players. Yet, the subreddit drama risks overshadowing these achievements.
For the industry, the incident raises questions about how to manage polarized communities. Baldur’s Gate 3’s developers avoided similar backlash by focusing on gameplay over ideology, suggesting a model for others. CI Games could rebuild trust by maintaining transparency on r/TheLordsOfTheFallen and addressing player concerns without engaging in cultural flashpoints.
As Lords of the Fallen prepares for its 2026 sequel, the subreddit saga serves as a cautionary tale. Gaming communities thrive on passion, but when moderation or developer actions fuel division, the focus shifts from the game itself. Whether r/TheLordsOfTheFallen becomes a model for constructive dialogue or another echo chamber remains to be seen.
Conclusion
The Lords of the Fallen subreddit drama, with its bans and accusations of “woke” agendas, encapsulates gaming’s cultural crossroads. Tymiński’s bold response and CI Games’ new subreddit aim to reclaim the narrative, but the rift with r/LordsoftheFallen reveals deeper issues of trust and ideology. As the industry grapples with these divides, the Lords of the Fallen saga reminds us that games, at their core, should unite players—not tear them apart.
