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Depression Quest creator Zoe Quinn has accused Night in the Woods developer Alec Holowka of abuse, in a statement posted on Twitter today.
Quinn claims that their relationship with Holowka began over Skype, as Quinn had been sexually assaulted by a game developer and that their visa status would be threatened if they went public with the accusation. Holowka was sympathetic and he invited Quinn to stay in Winnipeg with him, agreeing to pay for their flight home after the visit as they could not afford the round trip. Quinn stated that Holowka purposefully isolated them from their friends, verbally and physically abused them, and did not keep to the original agreement that Quinn would return home after a month.
2/2 pic.twitter.com/cbNLd84PSG
— zoë “bi fieri” quinn (@UnburntWitch) August 27, 2019
Quinn claims that Holowka became antagonistic and compassionless about their assault, and they wrote, ‘He said he was jealous of me, to be wanted like that. He’d bring it up during sex, where he’d regularly be mean and violent.’ Quinn said that Holowka would not allow Quinn to leave the apartment without him, would throw things, and verbally intimidate Quinn before telling them he was sorry and ‘how much he needed and loved me.’
In the statement, Quinn says that once they were able to leave Winnipeg with the assistance of their roommate using his air miles, they broke up with Holowka in an email. Holowka allegedly lashed out and blacklisted Quinn at major industry events in reaction to the split. ‘I’m still afraid of him,’ they wrote, ‘I’m afraid that people will care more about their love of Night in the Woods than they will about the safety and truths of women and non-binary people in games.’
Quinn came forward with their story after Tetrageddon developer Nathalie Lawhead claimed that The Elder Scrolls composer Jeremy Soule sexually assaulted her. ‘I don’t wish any ill will on anyone,' Quinn said in the closing statements of their post. 'I know Alec is likely not well and I will always believe in rehabilitation over punishment. I don’t want anything bad to come of this to his collaborators who may not know any of this.’
At present, Holowka has not commented on the accusations.
Survivors Trust provides information, advice and emotional support for victims of sexual abuse or rape; call them on 08088 010818. You can also contact Victim Support for free and confidential support to help after a crime or traumatic event by contacting their helpline on 0800 640 8738.
