Social media users are utilizing AI-generated imagery and false claims to drive a misinformation campaign against Housemarque’s new roguelike shooter, Saros, according to a report from Kotaku.
Users on X (formerly Twitter) have been circulating doctored images to manufacture a 'culture war' narrative surrounding the game's plot. One specific instance involved a post by user @pirat_nation that claimed the game featured a storyline where a character was 'betrayed and left by his wife for a lesbian woman.'
Kotaku reporter Kenneth Shepard reported that the post included a fake image showing the character Nitya embracing another crew member, Kayla. In reality, the two characters never appear on-screen together during the game.
Fabricated narratives and 'cuck' rhetoric
The misinformation campaign relies on distorting actual plot points to fit an 'anti-woke' agenda. While the game involves a character finding a new partner after a long period of time, the context of the relationship is being intentionally misrepresented.
According to the Kotaku report, the protagonist, Arjun, is revealed to be an emotionally abusive alcoholic who cheated on his wife. Nitya left him prior to the game's events to escape the situation.
Because time is distorted on the planet Carcosa, Nityia lived for centuries before finding a new lover. The report notes that the characters involved in the misinformation are twisting these events to label the game a 'cuck simulator.'
Shepard observed that the campaign involves 'more AI-mockups and racist rhetoric' spreading across social media platforms. He noted that the game has been 'unwillingly drafted into the culture war' by grifters using 'the truth' and AI-generated images to 'gin up their latest rage-bait cycle.'
