Ruckus Games has become to latest developer to require players to select their pronouns.
The studio founded by veterans of Gearbox, Riot, and Bethesda, is facing early backlash as it ramps up public testing for its debut title. The Texas-based developer is currently accepting sign-ups for a limited-time early access playtest of its untitled co-op RPG shooter—but players quickly noticed something unusual about the sign-up form.
A required pronoun selection field to sign up for the Ruckus Games playtest – Ruckus Games
In order to register for the test, prospective players must choose their pronouns from a required menu. The options include: “He/Him,” “She/Her,” “They/Them,” and “Other.”
There is no option to skip the field or leave it blank.
The decision to make pronoun selection mandatory has not gone unnoticed. Mark Kern, known online as Grummz and formerly a team lead on World of Warcraft, publicly called out the requirement on social media.
So Ruckus Games is a new studio that REQUIRES pronouns to sign up for their first look demo.
Nope. Non-buy-nary. They should have listed that as an option. pic.twitter.com/B81kipmb9W
— Grummz (@Grummz) June 30, 2025
“So Ruckus Games is a new studio that REQUIRES pronouns to sign up for their first look demo,” he posted. “Nope. Non-buy-nary. They should have listed that as an option.”
While some players are shrugging off the move as a reflection of modern studio culture, others see it as yet another example of developers prioritizing identity signaling over gameplay. For many, forcing players to disclose pronouns—particularly when no character creation or gendered gameplay appears to be involved—feels out of place and unnecessary.
Ruckus describes the playtest experience as a chance to help shape a brand-new kind of shooter.
The homepage of the Ruckus Games website – Ruckus Games
READ: Disney World Summer Crowds are Already Crashing But The Fourth of July and Beyond May Be Much Worse
“We aim to craft a different reality, and something never seen before,” the company states on its official website. “If you’re up for the fight, Ruckus is looking for eager and dedicated players to get a firsthand look at the game with early playtesting to provide feedback. You, the player, are our hero! (Literally and figuratively.) Come Smash, Grab and Grow with us!”
Founded in 2021, Ruckus Games boasts a strong AAA pedigree. CEO Paul Sage previously led creative efforts on Borderlands 3 and The Elder Scrolls Online, while other team members have shipped titles at Riot, Epic, and BioWare.
A screenshot from The Elder Scrolls Online (2014), ZeniMax Online Studios
The studio recently raised $19 million in Series A funding, backed by Krafton, Bitkraft Ventures, and others. Their debut project, currently untitled, is described as a third-person, session-based RPG shooter set in a nostalgic version of small-town America. It will not be free-to-play, but will reportedly feature a long-term content plan and dynamic live service support.
Despite the studio’s impressive credentials and generous funding, this early dust-up over pronoun enforcement may cast a shadow over the debut campaign. For those already wary of what they see as creeping ideological litmus tests in gaming, Ruckus’ required pronoun field feels like a red flag—and could potentially limit its reach with a wider audience.
Whether the controversy dies down or expands will likely depend on how Ruckus Games responds—if at all. As of now, the playtest remains open for sign-ups, but only for those willing to disclose their pronouns.
How do you feel about Ruckus Games requiring players to select their pronouns? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
UP NEXT: Ironheart Viewership Ratings Flop as Disney Marvel Show Fails to Chart With 3-Episode Premiere
