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The developer behind Yooka-Laylee, a Kickstarter-funded spiritual successor to the beloved Banjo-Kazooie series plans to remove the Youtuber Jontron (Jon Jafari) from the game's cast of voice actors via a Day 1 update after his recent series controversial tweets regarding ethnic minorities in America. Jontron was always a big, vocal fan of the series and was invited to collaborate on the project back in February 2015. Many might say that he was pivotal in reviving the interest in Banjo-Kazooie through his content, both on Game Grumps and his own Youtube channel. Playtonic explained their position in an interview with Gameindustry.biz:

This recent development in the Jontron controversy raises an important question regarding Free Speech. I can fully understand Playtonic's position - they're distancing themselves from Jontron in order to prevent any damage to their brand. On the other hand, one could argue that Jontron is free to voice his views on his own platform and shouldn't be penalised for them elsewhere.

Naturally this is a very controversial issue, so I'm eager to hear your thoughts on the matter. What's your opinion? Tell us in comments below!

Update: Jontron acknowledged the decision via his Twitter and although he finds it unfortunate, he understands it and wishes the developers a successful launch.

Source (Gameindustry.biz)

 

Jontron was an idiot regarding his PR for making those comments, and even if I find them disgusting I think that is no reason to take him away. Fucking PC wins over Free Speech.
I find this decision stupid, and I don't agree with Jontron's comments.

Well, I suppose all of this is business. They must have done a market research and found this would increase sells/profit. That is the only explanation I can find to this stupidity from a corporate point of view.

 

So they liked his voice acting, but not after it turns out he has some unpleasant opinions. That's like firing your IT guy after you find out he likes Lucky Charms.

 

Oh boy. You have a lot of catching up to do.

https://www.youtube.com/user/JonTronShow
https://www.youtube.com/user/GameGrumps

Jontron was an original Game Grump and currently makes excellent content on his own channel.

 

Again, it's SJW PC bullshit. Pandering to the masses just because little Timmy gets mad at something someone said on the internet. People need to grow thicker skin.


"Oh no, someone said something I don't like, time to make a federal case out of it!"

Freaking butthurt SJWs

 

It seems to fall back onto the same Freedom of Speech problem.
I think it's a good thing. People should be allowed to say what you want. But then I would still want to be able call them a dick, and refuse to distribute their content.
I think Freedom of Speech shouldn't protect you from the consequences of what you have said, it should just allow you to say it.

 

I don't know. I would first watch his two collaboration videoclips with schmoyoho (because short and awesome).

 

Got what he deserved for being ignorant and such an a-hole.
And that people, is why you don't fucking post your bullshit opinions to anyone except those closer to you, not for the whole world to see, much more when you are an e-celeb
Bravo Playtonic Games, I applaud this decision

 

I was never a fan of his content, but seeing them remove him completely from the game because of some comments he made, whether people disagree or not, seems extreme...

As if people will think some guy's voice in a game reflects the company's views entirely.

I'm not saying they should go out and hire people like him, however removing him from an already-finished project is just... wow.

 

I'll be buying the game, despite not particularly agreeing with the decision. Jon has every right to his opinion as you said. He also has every right for people to view him as a bit of a loon thanks to how poorly he represented himself in his, "debate."

And I find what happened to Pewdiepie and Jon to be perfectly reasonable. We are all entitled to our opinion, just as companies are entitled to distance themselves from us when we make controversial statements or statements that don't represent them as a whole.

This has been happening to regular celebrities for ages now, we are now moving into an age where it effects YouTubers as well. This kind of treatment can be related to the fall of Mel Gibson a few years ago. And I don't find it that crazy, nor do I feel any sympathy for Jon. Not that I condemn him, I don't disagree with everything he said. But we could all see a mile away that what he discussed would have repercussions, that's how the media world works, and if that bothers you there isn't much fixing it either. That's just business.