TeamKill Media’s decision not to release Code Violet on PC continues to spark debate, with new rumors suggesting the move was less about protecting their “art” from mods and more about a potential exclusivity deal with Sony for the PlayStation 5. The rumors gained traction when the TeamKill Media confirmed that Code Violet would also not be available on Xbox, citing resource constraints.
We don’t have the time or expertise to devote to the Xbox platform at this point in time. We would need additional man power.
— TeamKill Media (@TeamKillMedia) January 19, 2025
In its statement addressing Xbox, the developers wrote: “We don’t have the time or expertise to devote to the Xbox platform at this point in time. We would need additional manpower.”
The announcement fueled speculation that the game’s absence from both PC and Xbox was part of a broader agreement with Sony, despite TeamKill’s insistence that no such deal exists. Social media users attempted to add a community note to the developer’s original X post about PC modding, seemingly claiming the game was a PS5 exclusive due to a partnership with Sony.
Addressing the rumors, TeamKill Media took to X again, tagging platform owner Elon Musk in its post. The company emphatically denied any exclusivity agreement with Sony.
So adding a community note pointing to us saying the game is “exclusive to the PS5” does not mean we have a deal with Sony.
This is factually incorrect. If we had a deal with Sony you would know about it because we’d be proclaiming it from the mountain tops with joy.
We choose… https://t.co/beMycDQyin— TeamKill Media (@TeamKillMedia) January 21, 2025
“So adding a community note pointing to us saying the game is ‘exclusive to the PS5’ does not mean we have a deal with Sony,” TeamKill Media said. “This is factually incorrect. If we had a deal with Sony you would know about it because we’d be proclaiming it from the mountain tops with joy. We choose to make our games for PlayStation, but we are 100% indie with no backing at all. All we did was give an honest answer because we believe in communication and not keeping you all in the dark. This community note is factually false.”
The community note appears to have since been removed.
While the studio claims to be entirely independent, its decision to prioritize PlayStation has left gamers skeptical, with some pointing out that such exclusivity, even if unofficial, serves to limit the audience unnecessarily.
A screenshot from the trailer for Code Violet – YouTube, PlayStation
At the heart of the backlash is TeamKill Media’s earlier justification for skipping the PC platform. In an initial statement, the developer argued that PC modding posed a threat to the integrity of their artistic vision, particularly through “vulgar” modifications of Code Violet’s characters.
“We hold our voice actresses and actors with high regard, as well as our artistic vision for the game and story and reject any form of destroying that with sexual mods,” the company wrote. “Making a joke out of our art and possibly tarnishing the reputation of our voice actresses and actors is not worth the extra money we can make.”
This reasoning has been widely criticized as dismissive of the PC modding community, which has long been celebrated for its creativity and contributions to gaming culture. Critics argue that TeamKill’s focus on hypothetical mods disrespects modders and undermines the studio’s claims of valuing open communication.
Despite TeamKill Media’s insistence that they remain fully independent, their messaging continues to fuel speculation and criticism. The decision to skip Xbox due to resource constraints and their rejection of PC mods in favor of “artistic integrity” has left many questioning the studio’s priorities and transparency.
Do you believe that TeamKill Media has no exclusivity deal with Sony? Sound off in the comments below and let us know!
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Who’s guessing they got in big trouble for using the non-politically correct term manpower?
This company does not get to tell players how to enjoy their game and if they are thinking they can stop people from mods and fan art of the characters they are living in a dream world.
Choosing to limit a product’s release to one platform is the *definition* of exclusivity. It doesn’t matter if there’s a formal agreement or not. And tagging Elon Musk? Are they really that soft and insecure that they need to go get “the adults” involved? Oh, of course they are.
I disagree. If you’re sending a middle finger to PC gamers and aren’t getting anything out of it, then it just shows that you’re a prick.
They should have just said from the beginning that they would only release it on PS because a PC version wouldn’t sell like Japanese companies do (the PC version is released outside of Japan), so why go out of their way to say something unnecessary like they don’t like the mods and damage their own company’s reputation?