Content warning: this article contains references to incidents of sexist and racist behaviour.
Apex Legends lead designer Daniel Klein had been fired by Respawn Entertainment after sexist and racist comments resurfaced.
The comments made by Klein were posted online in 2007 where he allegedly made offensive comments towards women and people of colour. The comments have resulted in the Apex Legends developer being fired late last week.
Klein confirmed his departure on Twitter
Klein’s departure was confirmed on Twitter by the developer. “As of last Friday, I am no longer working at Respawn,” said Klein in a tweet. “I want to be very open here and say that I’m heartbroken and depressed. It’s been a very dark few days.”
As of last Friday, I am no longer working at Respawn. I want to be very open here and say that I’m heartbroken and depressed. It’s been a very dark few days.
— Daniel Zenon Klein (@danielzklein) August 10, 2021
You may or may not have seen the awful, bigoted things I said in 2007. I wholeheartedly agree that THAT guy should have been fired.
— Daniel Zenon Klein (@danielzklein) August 10, 2021
Klein regretted the comments he made in 2007
Klein continued: “I said racist and sexist things, not because I deeply believed any of them, but because I knew I could get a reaction out of people. That does not excuse anything I said; the impact of my words was the same regardless of what I believed.”
I said racist and sexist things, not because I deeply believed any of them, but because I knew I could get a reaction out of people. That does not excuse anything I said; the impact of my words was the same regardless of what I believed.
— Daniel Zenon Klein (@danielzklein) August 10, 2021
Regretting his remarks nearly a decade and a half ago, Klein expressed how he is no longer that person and has grown over the years.
I have poured so much energy into becoming a better person since then, and right now I’m just very depressed because it feels I’ll never be able to make up for who I was.
— Daniel Zenon Klein (@danielzklein) August 10, 2021
Lastly, I’m just truly sorry to the Apex team. This is a headache they did not need. I know what their future plans are and I absolutely believe Apex has a bright future. There’s so much cool shit coming. I just wished I could have worked on it.
— Daniel Zenon Klein (@danielzklein) August 10, 2021
Reach out for help and support
If you have been the victim of any form of discrimination harassment or bullying, reach out to a friend, family member, or doctor. You may also find related information via charities such as Safe in Our World.
Featured Image Credit: Respawn Entertainment