ArenaNet cuts ties with Guild Wars 2 writers after Twitter spat
UPDATE: "We are committed to fostering open, constructive dialogue with our community" reads ArenaNet statement
Guild Wars 2 writers Jessieca Price and Peter Fries are no longer with Guild Wars 2 developer ArenaNet following an ill-fated Twitter exchange with a community content creator.
After sharing her thoughts on the process writing a playable character for an MMO, Price -- a narrative designer of ten years -- became embroiled in an exchange with streamer and YouTuber Derior, accusing him of condescending behaviour.
As reported by PC Gamer, supported by her colleague Fries -- who has been with Arena Net since 2005 -- Price issued a number of remarks directed at both Derior and other members of the community who piled in on the debate.
"The next rando asshat who attempts to explain the concept of branching dialogue to me--as if, you know, having worked in game narrative for a fucking DECADE, I have never heard of it--is getting instablocked," she said in one Tweet.
Derior later apologised for his comments, saying he only wanted a "dialogue and discussion", and had "meant no disrespect".
However, as is the nature of a Twitter frenzy, things quickly spiralled out of control and the Guild Wars 2 subreddit filled with comments attacking Price.
Shortly thereafter it was announced that both Price and Fries had left the company.
"Recently two of our employees failed to uphold our standards of communicating with players," said ArenaNet president Mike O'Brien on the Guild Wars 2 forums. "Their attacks on the community were unacceptable. As a result, they're no longer with the company.
"I want to be clear that the statements they made do not reflect the views of ArenaNet at all. As a company we always strive to have a collaborative relationship with the Guild Wars community. We value your input. We make this game for you."
Update: ArenaNet has provided the following official statement to GamesIndustry.biz in response to this event:
"We are committed to fostering open, constructive dialogue with our community around our games. Earlier this week, two of our employees failed to uphold our standards of communication, and they are no longer with the company."