With the speed of a plot twist in a suspenseful thriller, the creators of the Mickey Mouse public-domain horror game have decided to rebrand. The once-dubbed “Infestation 88” by Nightmare Forge Games is now getting a new moniker: “Infestation: Origins.” The decision to pivot follows a wave of criticism from users and major outlets like Kotaku and VICE. Critics pointed out unsettling parallels between the original title and the game’s premise, which involved players eradicating rats with gas in a storage facility and an alarming number of perceived white supremacist and Nazi references.
In response to the uproar, the developers shared the following statement with Mashable regarding the name alteration:
“First, as we’ve Tweeted, we’re renaming the game to Infestation: Origins. The game takes place in the 1980s, and we had originally chosen the name “Infestation 88″ simply due to its symmetrical design in the game’s artwork/logo and representing the year 1988. Unfortunately, at the time of its announcement, we were unaware of any additional meanings the number ’88’ has. Through feedback from the community, we learned it did, and therefore made this name change ASAP. We want to apologize for our ignorance on this topic and appreciate that it was brought to our attention so we could address it.”
Take a stroll down the twisted lanes of nostalgia, where the once cheerful and iconic Disney character, Steamboat Willie, has been resurrected from the vaults of public domain lore. The stroke of midnight unveiled the horror remake, “Infestation 88,” where our beloved mouse has transformed into a grotesque, giant rat with a penchant for infesting storage facilities. Let’s just say, letting sleeping dogs lie would have been a preferable option.
The announcement, quick as a blink, introduces this peculiar game as the pioneer of the newly liberated public domain character. But, beware, for Infestation 88 appears to be more than just a game—it’s a masterful troll, a puppeteer pulling strings to exploit the newfound freedom of Steamboat Willie.
As you delve into the game’s Steam page, a chilling revelation awaits. Developed by Nightmare Forge Games, a supposedly seasoned team of industry veterans in the horror genre since 2010, the website’s domain was only freshly inked on Oct. 2, 2023. The rush to capitalize on the free-for-all of a public domain character is palpable, reminiscent of the cinematic frenzy surrounding Winnie the Pooh’s release in 2023.
However, the skepticism grows. A keen-eyed Steam user, wandering through the discussion pages, uncovers the eerie secret behind the trailer’s voice—it’s none other than “Clyde,” a free-to-use AI voice from Eleven Labs. An unsettling similarity, echoing the dubious nature of Infestation 88’s existence.
The shadow of doubt lengthens further as users dissect the game’s title. Why “88”? A seemingly innocuous number, but for those attuned to white supremacist dog whistles, it rings alarm bells. “1488,” a coded message, and the game’s title, Infestation 88, raises eyebrows. Is it a mere coincidence, or is there a sinister undertone beneath the surface?
Scrutiny intensifies as users point out the Scrabble score of 14 for “Infestation” and the unsettling act of gassing rats within the game. The pieces start falling into a disturbing puzzle set in 1988, where questions about the developer’s intentions linger like shadows in the moonlight.
Infestation 88, a game that transcends the digital realm into a web of conspiracy and controversy. As the public domain welcomes back its prodigal characters, one can’t help but wonder if some tales are better left untold. The line blurs between horror and reality, and Infestation 88 stands at the crossroads, inviting players into a chilling narrative that extends far beyond the pixels on the screen.