“We made a series of mistakes”: GOG apologise for emailing Nazi symbols to people in newsletter about Slavic fantasy game
GOG, the digital storefront specializing in retro games, has apologized for sending a newsletter containing problematic imagery. The email promoted The End of the Sun, an adventure game centered on a Slavic fire mage with time-manipulation abilities, but featured runes in its subject line with deeply troubling historical associations.
The runes in question can be interpreted as Proto-Germanic Sowilō symbols representing the sun—historically appropriate for a Slavic-themed game—but can also be read as a double Siegrune, the symbol historically used by the Nazi German Schutzstaffe. This dual interpretation made their use in promotional material highly inappropriate and offensive.
GOG acknowledged the error, stating “We made a series of mistakes” regarding the newsletter’s distribution. The incident underscores the importance of careful review processes in marketing communications, particularly when featuring content tied to specific cultural traditions. The developers of The End of the Sun responded constructively, expressing hope that the situation “will make people more aware of the history and modern meanings of these symbols.” This perspective frames the incident as a potential educational moment to distinguish between legitimate historical and cultural use of symbols versus their appropriation by hate movements, suggesting the industry may benefit from increased awareness of these sensitivities.