Dear Passengers, the latest viral indie “friendslop” game, has found itself embroiled in controversy just as its popularity began to surge. While the title—which tasks players with managing a plane amidst ragdoll physics and chaotic random events—recently racked up hundreds of thousands of wishlists, players have begun pushing back against its marketing and reported development practices.
Controversial Character References
The primary source of the backlash stems from the game's trailer, where eagle-eyed viewers spotted character name tags referencing high-profile figures accused of serious crimes. One character is named “Epst. J,” which critics argue is a clear nod to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While some have suggested it could stand for “European Pilot Selection & Training,” the inclusion of the “J” and the context of other characters has fueled widespread skepticism.
Adding to the fire is another character named “PDaddy,” a moniker widely associated with P. Diddy, who has faced numerous accusations of sexual abuse. When confronted on the game’s official Discord server, a developer stated that the team does not condone the actions of Epstein, but the same account was also seen encouraging users to share more Epstein-related jokes within the server's meme channel.
Generative AI Allegations
Beyond the character names, the development team is facing scrutiny regarding the use of generative AI. Players discovered a job listing on the studio’s website that specifically sought applicants “adept at using generative AI for concept creation.”
Following the public outcry, that specific job listing appears to have been altered to remove any mention of AI. Furthermore, the same developer who addressed the trailer controversy claimed that no generative AI was utilized during the creation of the game. Currently, there is no mention of AI-generated content on the Dear Passengers Steam page, and as Steam does not mandate that developers disclose AI usage, it remains a point of contention for potential players.
For those monitoring the title, the situation highlights a growing tension between indie developers leaning into “edgy” marketing and a player base increasingly sensitive to the use of generative AI and controversial real-world references. As of now, the developers maintain that their project does not utilize AI, leaving fans to decide for themselves whether to support the release.