Soulash 2 Sees Sales Boost Amidst Year-Long 'Woke' Ideology Dispute, Developer Stands Firm

Artur Śmiarowski, the independent developer behind the roguelike sandbox RPG Soulash 2, has publicly reiterated his unyielding stance against what he terms "woke" ideology, marking a full year since a contentious dispute over in-game same-sex relationships began. The developer, who reported a significant surge in game sales following the initial controversy, stated on social media that "The wokies from /r/roguelikes still send their crazies to pile their lies under my game unprompted." This ongoing conflict highlights a broader cultural clash within the gaming community.

The dispute originated in mid-August 2024 when Śmiarowski declined a player's request to implement same-sex relationship options in Soulash 2. He cited gameplay design, specifically the game's focus on character legacy and children, and resource limitations as reasons for his decision. This refusal quickly escalated into a wave of negative reviews and online protests across platforms like Reddit and Steam, with some accusing the developer of homophobia.

In response to the backlash, Śmiarowski adopted a defiant tone, famously tweeting in August 2024, "My grandparents survived the nazis, my parents endured communism, I had to live through religious oppression since the age of 10, and now some spoiled brats think I'll bend my knee to their rainbow flag." He further asserted, "I already have a flag I'm proud of," accompanied by an image of the Polish flag. This strong statement polarized the community, drawing both condemnation and fervent support.

Despite the review bombing attempts, Soulash 2 experienced an unexpected commercial upswing. According to Śmiarowski, the game sold 3,500 copies in the week following the initial controversy, a figure he typically achieved over two months. Wishlist additions also soared to 12,700, and the game's online presence nearly doubled. He attributed this "free publicity boost" to the "rainbow extremists" who "organized the most effective advertising campaign."

A year later, Śmiarowski continues to frame the situation as a fight against "hatred from activists" and "oppression" from those demanding changes to his creative vision. His recent tweet, posted on August 26, 2025, emphasized, "Woke is not love and tolerance. It's hate and oppression, and it deserves only rejection." The ongoing nature of this public disagreement underscores the persistent tensions between artistic freedom and social demands within the video game industry.