Kotaku's Desperate Smear Campaign Against Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 After CEO Matthew Karch's Viral Comment
It's no secret that Kotaku has quite the habit of launching attacks on literally anything that doesn’t fit their agenda, and this time is no different. They've set their sights on the unexpected success of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.
Following the EXTREMELY viral comment by Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch on Asmongold's video, Kotaku, spearheaded by "journalist" Ethan Gach (known on X as @AmericanTruckSongs9), tries his darndest to cast doubt on the game's achievements by questioning the 'authenticity' of Karch's statements.
While on the surface, this would be credible journalism, knowing what we know - there's a definite desired outcome in mind as you'll see...
Ethan Gach's initial tweet is a prime example of how a seemingly straightforward inquiry can be weaponized to discredit someone. Gach tweeted:
"I asked Saber for comment on if this is really Matt Karch's account or not since it reads like anti-woke crusader slop but haven't heard back yet."
Notice the framing here—Gach isn't just skeptical; he's openly antagonistic, dismissing Karch's comment on the video as "anti-woke crusader slop" - Who tf phrases it like that?
This isn't journalism; it's a smear job dressed up as a query. Outside of dressing like the opposite sex, it's honestly... what Kotaku does best.
The viral comment in question here criticized the trend of games "imposing morals on gamers" - a sentiment that definitely struck a chord with many players fed up with the current state of the industry. My initial video covering this went crazy, and we ate it up!
Gach immediately moved to undermine the legitimacy of the statement by trying to point out that the YouTube account (https://www.youtube.com/@MatthewKarch) was created in May (below) and had a bio reading "generic male of sorts."
While others are claiming the REAL account is this one: (https://www.youtube.com/@matthewkarch4481) (below) and that did NOT comment on Asmongold's video.
So Ethan, feeling empowered by this "lack of" info, followed up with another tweet:
"Update: Saber Interactive tells me it won't comment on whether a YouTube comment on Asmongold's channel complaining about games 'imposing morals on gamers' belongs to its CEO or not."
While Gach positions his "investigation" here as a quest for truth, his approach reveals the real intent: to discredit and quickly dismiss the views expressed by Matthew Karch. On the surface, questioning the authenticity of a statement is a valid journalistic practice that I wouldn't bat an eyue at... HOWEVER, a deeper dive reveals a far more insidious motivation.
A thorough journalist would go beyond surface-level skepticism and investigate further, something Kotaku seems unwilling or incapable of doing—likely because the facts don't support their narrative.
So let me do the work that Ethan left out: while the YouTube account may appear on the surface new and unofficial, the message aligns perfectly with Karch's known views on the gaming industry. Karch has been vocal about his disdain for the direction in which the industry is heading, as evidenced by his recent post on LinkedIn, where he echoed the same exact frustrations and calls for change.
In the post above, Karch speaks candidly about finding partners with "the resources to help Saber grow" and "changing the way we make and deliver games." He slammed the "Jurassic era of bloated budgets and risk-laden releases," a sentiment that clearly mirrors the same exact comment on Asmongold's video.
Pair that with the other comment from the writer Oliver Hollis-Leick on the same video... it doesn't take sherlock holmes to figure this one out, Ethan... As much as it may pain you to admit.
Kotaku's glaring omission of this LinkedIn post, or ...even a deeper analysis of it, either shows a lack of due diligence or an intentional exclusion of evidence that doesn't fit their agenda. This could easily be an alternative account for Karch, given the near-identical stance and tone between the YouTube comment and his professional statements. But instead of exploring this angle, Kotaku sticks to their preferred narrative: smearing anyone who dares to challenge the status quo or questions the current industry's trends around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Cut to the chase - the reality here is that Matthew Karch isn't afraid to speak his mind, and his frustration with the industry's direction has resonated with so many gamers who feel similarly alienated by the current trend of pushing social and moral messages in games. Kotaku's attempt to frame Karch's statements as "anti-woke crusader slop" is a transparent effort to delegitimize a perspective that doesn’t align with their worldview... and in their rush, ironically, tosses their argument even further in the rear view.
Let's be clear: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 deserves our support, not because of some 'perceived cultural war', but because it's a game made by developers who genuinely want to bring fun and immersive experiences back to gaming. Karch's comments reflect a commitment to innovation, creativity, and most importantly, to those who want to escape into compelling gameplay rather than be lectured by a constant agenda.
Kotaku's efforts to smear the game's success following Matthew Karch’s viral comment only further prove just how insanely out of touch they are with what gamers truly want... And while they busy themselves with trying to undermine the game's achievements, the rest of us rally behind developers like Karch, and those willing to stand up for a return to games that are about fun, not agendas.
So, let's celebrate Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and the chad CEO behind it, and continue to support those who dare to challenge the industry's beyond-tired 'status quo'.
~Smash
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