With the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic end in sight as various vaccines are distributed, video games are reflecting this optimistic reality, but not without issues. The Hauling Hope event in American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 sees players deliver COVID-19 vaccines across the world. A press release for the Hauling Hope event from developers SCS Software has led to confusion regarding the Czech company's views on vaccinations, forcing it to clarify that it is pro-vax.
The original statement reads: "We do not take a stand neither for or against vaccines, we just wanted to express our appreciation and support for every real truck driver out there who have been facing a very challenging times since pandemic situation began.” The press release did state its support for lockdown measures, saying: "We though that we might support the safety of our community if we provide them some entertainment they might see as a good reason to stay home a bit more longer during these difficult times the world is going through."
SCS Software then sent out a second press release to clear up the confusion, explaining that the initial statement about vaccines was "an error that happened due to a language and translation barrier." The Prague-based company highlighted that it wanted to put focus on the truckers, saying: "No matter if you stand for vaccines or against them, these truckers still have to work really hard and we wanted to give them their well-deserved 15 minutes of fame."
In a response to TheGamer's coverage of the story, SCS Software producer Tomáš Duda apologized on behalf of the company, stating: "We continuously support efforts in the fight against COVID-19 and we hope for COVID-19 to be over soon." SCS Software then sent out an email to various publications, definitively clearing up any confusion: "We would like to clarify that we fully recognize the threats posed by COVID-19, and the effects and turmoil that the pandemic has caused around the globe. We firmly believe that the way forward is to have faith in science, to adhere to recommended COVID guidelines and to practice good personal hygiene."
While it appears that SCS Software is aware of the diversity of its playerbase and did word its initial press releases in an attempt to avoid conflict, this appears to have backfired. Taking an initial view of neutrality towards a sensitive issue in vaccinations has brought unfortunate comparisons to the anti-vax movement, and while SCS Software eventually gave a definite pro-science statement, the Czech company did get caught up in an issue that the world continues to wrestle with today, even impacting the stock market for video game companies.
There are some concerns surrounding the various COVID-19 vaccines developed, but the accelerated development of these vaccines can be chalked up to increased funding from governments and private companies in this period, rather than a disregard of scientific protocols. While most of 2021 will likely still be lost to recovering from COVID-19 with various events now canceled including the Final Fantasy VII Remake Orchestra, the vaccines now becoming widely distributed across the world should help to mark the beginning of the end for one of the toughest periods in modern history.
American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2 are available on PC. The Hauling Hope event ends on 7 February.