The Metro Exodus controversy tied to its publisher's decision to offer the PC version of the game exclusively via the Epic Games Store has continued to grow since it was announced six days ago. Since then, the Metro games have been "review bombed" on Steam, the author of the Metro books has offered comment, and a frustrated 4A Games employee claimed that any boycott of Metro Exodus on PC would likely result in future games skipping the platform. Now, a representative for the game has produced an official statement.

The official statement touches on the frustrations of the 4A Games' employee that commented on the situation and works to refocus the Epic Store controversy away from 4A Games and towards Deep Silver and its parent company Koch Media.

The bulk of the official statement, however, deals specifically with the comments made by a 4A Games developer that went by the username of "scynet." Scynet responded to the threat of a Metro Exodus boycott by claiming that if such a thing is successful, then future Metro games would not come to PC. Some perceived the developer's comment as a threat, though it was more likely intended as a reflection on the reality of the franchise's development and funding.

The official statement tries to redirect player and community frustrations away from the development team as they work to finish Metro Exodus:

"The recent comments made by a member of the 4A Games development team do not reflect Deep Silver’s or 4A Games’ view on the future of the franchise. They do reflect the hurt and disappointment of a passionate individual who has seen what was previously nothing but positive goodwill towards his work turn to controversy due to a business decision he had no control over. We respectfully ask that any and all valid feedback over this decision is directed at Koch Media / Deep Silver, and not the developers at 4A Games."

In effect, all that's left is for Metro Exodus to launch. Today's official statement isn't likely to wind down the controversy and only serves to redirect the hate away from 4A Games and Metro Exodus. The culture of the industry at the moment tends to foster these kinds of situations where the anger grows well beyond the circumstances that created it in the first place. Both Koch Media/Deep Silver and the gaming community can likely agree, however, that no one want's Metro Exodus' development to be hampered as a result.

Metro Exodus releases on February 15 for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One.