Crystal Dynamics has confirmed that Marvel's Avengers spokesman and lead designer Brian Waggoner is to be removed as spokesman of the game. This decision was made due to a series of older tweets written by Waggoner some years ago, many of which contain objectionable or offensive content.
The tweets in question range from 2010 to 2017 and have been collected by various Twitter users. They show Waggoner tweeting cheap jokes about the Special Olympics, commenting on Colin Kaepernick not standing for the national anthem, and generally tweeting some pretty unpleasant stuff.
All of the tweets were sent prior to Waggoner starting work with Crystal Dynamics, but the Avengers studio describes them as "incredibly disappointing" nevertheless. The developer says people are right to be upset by the content of the tweets and confirms that Waggoner will "no longer be a studio spokesperson or communicating about studio projects". He still appears to be in place as Avengers lead designer, however.
On his own Twitter page, Waggoner expresses regret for sending the tweets. He says he has "learned and grown" since the tweets were posted, and that they don't "reflect who [he is] today". Nevertheless, Waggoner also says he understands if people can't accept his apology "because of the pain" he's caused.
This is far from the first time gaming industry personnel have been disciplined over past tweets. Last year, Apex Legends lead balance developer Daniel Klein was fired over racist and sexist remarks he made many years ago. There's also the famous case of Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn being let go over his own past tweets, although Gunn has since buried the hatchet with Marvel.
Some developers are also staying on projects despite past controversies. Hogwarts Legacy designer Troy Leavitt has a host of controversial and unpleasant comments in his past, but Warner Bros doesn't appear to have any kind of issue with Leavitt's comments, or if it does, it's staying silent on the matter.
We'll keep you posted on what happens regarding Waggoner and Marvel's Avengers going forward. One thing's for sure, though: you won't be seeing him acting as a public spokesperson for Marvel's Avengers anymore.
