Grummz aka Mark Kern reports that Elon Musk’s X is suppressing his #FreeStellarBlade campaign by failing to auto-complete the hashtag and deboosting it.
Eve in Stellar Blade (2024), Shift Up
User ramenburger626 reported, “twitter seemed to have removed the #FreeStellarBlade hashtag. only the misspelled FreeStellErBlade (E instead of A) is available. something is wrong. something broke the hashtag.”
Ramenburger626 on X
In fact, when attempting to post the hashtag, only misspelled versions of the hashtag populate such as #freestelarblade and #freestellerblade and #FreeStellaBlade.
Screenshot of attempting to post #FreeStellarBlade on X
Kern responded to ramenburger626 writing, “This is an old Twitter censorship trick. It is how hashtags are deboosted. We saw this plenty in the original GG days. The correctly spelled tag is deboosted so only misspelled tags show up.”
He then added, “Elon Musk, you’ve got rats in the system pulling old dirty tricks.”
This is an old Twitter censorship trick.
It is how hashtags are deboosted. We saw this plenty in the original GG days.
The correctly spelled tag is deboosted so only misspelled tags show up.
@elonmusk you’ve got rats in the system pulling old dirty tricks. https://t.co/otNYeUpihC
— Grummz (@Grummz) April 29, 2024
He would later add, “Censor the game Censor Grummz talking about it. Put out a 20k hit on me. Now, CENSOR the hashtag These people are showing their true colors.”
Censor the game
Censor Grummz talking about it.
Put out a 20k hit on me.
Now, CENSOR the hashtag
These people are showing their true colors. pic.twitter.com/sKTL8xZ23z
— Grummz (@Grummz) April 29, 2024
Despite the suppression, the campaign appears to be gaining steam since it was launched on April 26th. The petition is closing in on 50,000 signatures. As of writing it currently has 47,720.
A screenshot of the Free Stellar Blade petition
READ: Gamers Begin Cancelling PlayStation Network Subscriptions To Free ‘Stellar Blade’ From Censorship
As previously reported, numerous gamers have begun boycotting Sony by cancelling their PlayStation Network subscriptions. X user Cyael has collected a number of screenshots from individuals cancelling their subscriptions.
Guess what the only people gaslighting me have in common. Go on. Guess. @Playstation I’ll cover you and your Korean studio Sabotage permanently. I wouldn’t be surprised if they make it worse. pic.twitter.com/XUorL85JWa
— Cyael (@Cyael) April 27, 2024
Gamers have also expressed their dissatisfaction with PlayStation in the replies to their posts on social media. In a post that detailed Stellar Blade is available to purchase in the PlayStation Store, one user suggested suing Sony in small claims court for false advertising,
Thunda818 wrote, “False advertising to the max guys. Let’s get the ball rolling….. Introduction to suing Sony in Small Claims Court. Sony Interactive Entertainment can be sued for $10,000 in their home state of California in small claims court. In other states, it can be as much as $20,000.”
He later wrote, “Being misled by the game developer can feel extremely frustrating. You already paid $60 or $70 for the game and now they are loading you or your child up with microtransactions? Have they found a way to charge your card for a monthly fee you didn’t sign up for.”
False advertising to the max guys. Let’s get the ball rolling….. Introduction to suing Sony in Small Claims Court
Sony Interactive Entertainment can be sued for $10,000 in their home state of California in small claims court. In other states, it can be as much as $20,000.…
— Thunda (@Thunda818) April 26, 2024
YorhaKitty wrote, “For those aware do not get the digital version of stellar blade sony are up with thier old tricks force censoring via update patch make sure to get the physical copy and do not update your game you be good to go.”
For those aware do not get the digital version of stellar blade sony are up with thier old tricks force censoring via update patch make sure to get the physical copy and do not update your game you be good to go.
— 🌸キティさん🌸🇯🇵 (@YorhaKitty) April 26, 2024
MadamSavvy questioned, “Why did you push for censorship? We want the vision of Shift Up, not you. You are nothing without your “exclusives” anymore. Given the presales, you should have let them do as they pleased because it was obviously working.”
Why did you push for censorship? We want the vision of Shift Up, not you. You are nothing without your “exclusives” anymore. Given the presales, you should have let them do as they pleased because it was obviously working.
— Savvy | Artist (@MadamSavvy) April 26, 2024
GaryGames0 wrote, “Why did you feel the need to censor the outfits and gore but were totally fine with it in BG3 and the last of us.”
Why did you feel the need to censor the outfits and gore but were totally fine with it in BG3 and the last of us
— Gary (@GaryGames0) April 26, 2024
CoreyChavis7 posted, “I cancel my PlayStation Plus subscription today, not supporting PlayStation until they give us the version that we paid for Stellar Blade. #FreeStellarBlade.”
I cancel my PlayStation Plus subscription today, not supporting @PlayStation unitil they give us the version that we paid for @StellarBlade #FreeStellarBlade
— Corey Chavis💎🙌🏿 (@CoreyChavis7) April 27, 2024
What do you make of Musk’s X appearing to censor the #FreeStellarBlade campaign?
