Domina is a gladiator simulation video game developed by Bignic and released into early access through Steam on April 3, 2017. In the game, the player takes on the role of a woman who must manage her father's ludus and train gladiators in order to restore its reputation.
| Domina | |
|---|---|
_Steam_banner.jpg) | |
| Developer(s) | Bignic |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release | April 3, 2017 |
| Genre(s) | Simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
On September 2, 2022, the game was removed from Steam due to transphobic comments made by the developer within the update notes of the game.[1] Since September 5, the game has been available for purchase on Gumroad.[2]
Gameplay
editDomina feature both real-time combat and gladiator management, where the player can train and purchase new armor and weaponry.[3] During fights, the player can control a single gladiator in order to combat hostile, AI-controlled opponents.[4]
Reception
editEurogamer Italia's Davide Pessach gave the game 8 out of 10, stating that "the experience is really fun".[5] Nate Crowley of Rock Paper Shotgun called the game "ultra-brutal" and mentioned "wild balance issues", but concluded by praising the soundtrack, calling it "fucking spectacular".[6] PC Gamer's Christopher Livingstone also praised the game, calling it "a lot of fun" but criticized the AI of allied gladiators.[7]
Controversy
editOn March 12, 2022, developer Bignic added an anti-mask message to Domina' patch notes, writing "Women don't like dudes who cover their faces in fear. What are you afraid of? Getting laid? Grow up." The game was subsequently review bombed by Steam users.[8][9]
In early September 2022, all of Bignic's games were removed for sale from Steam due to the presence of transphobic comments within Domina's patch notes, including insults aimed at transgender Canadian streamer Keffals.[10][11][12]
References
edit- ^ Brown, Andy (2022-09-02). "'Domina' removed from Steam after developer's transphobic rant". NME. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ "Domina". www.dominagame.com. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ Meer, Alec (2017-04-10). "Wot I Think: gladiator roguelite/management sim Domina". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ Christopher Livingston (2017-04-19). "Managing a team of gladiators to crushing defeat in Domina". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ "Domina - recensione". Eurogamer.it (in Italian). 2017-05-15. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ Crowley, Nate (2021-04-29). "Have You Played… Domina?". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ Christopher Livingston (2017-04-19). "Managing a team of gladiators to crushing defeat in Domina". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ Joho, Jess (2022-03-13). "A Steam game faces backlash for adding a bizarrely sexist anti-mask rant to patch notes". Mashable. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ Ted Litchfield (2022-03-12). "Indie gladiator game faces Steam review backlash over anti-mask patch notes". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
- ^ Joshua Wolens (2022-09-02). "Domina has been delisted from Steam after yet another transphobic diatribe". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
- ^ "Game Dev Uses Steam To Yell About Keffals And Be Transphobic For Some Reason (Update)". Kotaku. 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
- ^ "Domina delisted by Steam after developer's transphobic rant". Eurogamer.net. 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2022-11-23.