Days Gone Director Upset Over Deacon’s Inclusion in Astro Bot

In a rather unusual turn of events following the successful launch of Astro Bot, a beloved PlayStation title known for celebrating iconic characters across the PlayStation universe, former Days Gone creative director John Garvin expressed his discontent. The issue? His game’s protagonist, Deacon St. John, was featured in Astro Bot as a bot character, an inclusion meant to pay homage to the wide range of characters that have defined PlayStation’s history.

For most fans and developers, Astro Bot’s playful nod to major and minor PlayStation-centric games has been viewed as an honor, one that connects a wide array of franchises under a single banner. However, Garvin didn’t see it that way. In a series of tweets, he voiced his displeasure over Deacon’s appearance in the game, describing it as a reduction of his creation to what he called a “cartoon schill [sic] promoting some small game.”

Garvin’s initial tweet, and the subsequent explanations, garnered attention due to their tone and unexpected critique. Garvin stated that while he didn’t harbor any ill will toward Astro Bot’s creators, he felt that his game’s hero was being used at the expense of Days Gone. He further elaborated that Deacon St. John’s inclusion as a bot felt like an inappropriate use of a character he had worked hard to bring to life. For Garvin, the character’s presence in a whimsical tribute game felt like a form of exploitation, rather than a celebration of Days Gone’s contribution to the PlayStation ecosystem.

Following these comments, Garvin engaged in a back-and-forth with fans and critics on social media, many of whom pushed back on his assertions. Supporters of Astro Bot pointed out that the game was designed to celebrate PlayStation’s legacy, and Deacon St. John’s inclusion alongside other legendary characters was more of an honor than a slight. Critics argued that Garvin’s frustration seemed misplaced, as Astro Bot wasn’t stealing intellectual property or using Deacon St. John in a negative light, but rather incorporating him into a larger narrative of PlayStation’s history.

The general sentiment among fans and commentators was that Astro Bot should be viewed as a playful homage to the PlayStation family, and being included in that lineup should be seen as a mark of respect. For them, the tribute highlighted the importance of Days Gone, positioning it alongside more critically acclaimed titles within the PlayStation universe. The argument was that this inclusion enhanced the legacy of Deacon St. John rather than detracting from it, a point of view Garvin was reluctant to embrace.

This latest controversy follows a pattern of public statements from Garvin that have stirred debates within the gaming community. Garvin, whose frustration over the lack of a Days Gone sequel has been well-documented, has not been shy about expressing his dissatisfaction over how the game was received both critically and commercially. He has gone as far as to blame certain factors, including “woke reviewers,” for the game’s middling reception.

In a now-deleted tweet, Garvin outlined three reasons why he believed Days Gone received less-than-stellar reviews upon its release. First, he cited technical issues such as bugs, streaming problems, and frame rate drops. Second, he accused some reviewers of not thoroughly playing the game before publishing their opinions. Third, and most controversially, he blamed “woke reviewers” who he claimed were uncomfortable with the portrayal of the game’s protagonist, Deacon, a “gruff white biker looking at his date’s ass.”

Garvin’s statements sparked outrage, particularly his assertion that certain reviewers took issue with the portrayal of Deacon due to their political leanings or social perspectives. These comments were disowned by Bend Studio, the developer behind Days Gone, which issued a public statement distancing itself from Garvin’s sentiments. The studio’s move was an attempt to quell the growing controversy and clarify that Garvin’s views were not representative of the company as a whole.

Despite its technical issues and mixed critical reception, Days Gone was far from a failure. Upon its release in 2019, the game earned a 71 on Metacritic, a solid but underwhelming score compared to other first-party PlayStation exclusives, many of which score in the high 80s or 90s. Nevertheless, Days Gone performed well commercially. It became the 13th best-selling game of the PlayStation 4 era, with over 7.3 million copies sold, just below Bloodborne, which sold 7.46 million copies.

However, critical reception played a role in Sony’s decision to not greenlight a sequel, despite respectable sales figures. For many fans of the game, this decision remains a point of frustration, as they felt that Days Gone was deserving of further exploration in a sequel that could improve upon its initial shortcomings.

Garvin’s recent remarks about Deacon St. John’s appearance in Astro Bot add to his growing list of controversial takes, many of which have alienated him from parts of the gaming community. His frustration over the cancellation of a Days Gone sequel and his outspoken criticism of the gaming industry have led to a reputation that’s as polarizing as it is vocal.

For those unfamiliar with the ongoing debates, Astro Bot includes a wide variety of characters from PlayStation’s storied history, each represented as small, playful bots that fans can interact with throughout the game. Deacon St. John is one of over 170 PlayStation-themed bots, with players able to unlock his signature motorcycle within the game. For most players, seeing Deacon in Astro Bot is a nod to the character’s importance and a way to celebrate the diversity of the PlayStation catalog.

Ultimately, Garvin’s upset reaction to Deacon’s inclusion in Astro Bot stands in contrast to how most fans view the game’s tributes. While Garvin sees it as an exploitation of his creation, the gaming community sees it as a respectful homage, a way of cementing Days Gone and its characters into the broader tapestry of PlayStation’s history.