Sucker Punch Confirms Dismissal of Veteran Artist Drew Harrison After Controversial Post about Charlie Kirk

Sucker Punch Productions has confirmed the dismissal of long-time studio artist Drew Harrison following a controversial social media post about the assassination of far-right activist Charlie Kirk.

What led to the firing?

Harrison, who spent nearly a decade at the Sony-owned studio, was terminated less than 24 hours after making the post. In the tweet, she wrote: “I hope the shooter’s name is Mario so that Luigi knows his bro got his back.”

The joke played on the name of Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the December 2024 assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

The post was quickly picked up by right-leaning influencers, including former Blizzard producer and outspoken DEI critic Mark “Grummz” Kern, who shared a screenshot and wrote: “Suckerpunch Senior Dev celebrates Charlie Kirk’s death. Ghost of Yotei is dead to me now.” Other online figures piled on, with one streamer adding: “The studio deserves to go under.”

Soon after, Harrison reported receiving harassing calls and messages, which she described as part of a coordinated campaign to pressure Sony and Sucker Punch into firing her. The following day, her dismissal was confirmed.

At that time, Sony Interactive Entertainment confirmed Harrison’s dismissal but offered no additional comment. The company said only: “Drew Harrison is no longer an employee of Sucker Punch Productions.”

Sucker Punch’s official stance

In a recent interview with Game File, Sucker Punch studio head Brian Fleming elaborated on the studio’s reasoning, describing the decision as a matter of principle.

“The facts are accurate, Drew’s no longer an employee here,” Fleming said. “I think we’re aligned as a studio that celebrating or making light of someone’s murder is a deal-breaker for us, and we condemn that, kind of in no uncertain terms. That’s sort of our studio, and that’s kind of where we are.”

A Sony representative was also present during the interview, but cut off further discussion about the matter.

Harrison’s response after dismissal

After being let go, Harrison addressed the situation directly on social media, expressing both regret and defiance.

“If standing up against fascism is what cost me my dream job I held for 10 years, I would do it again 100x stronger,” Harrison wrote. “Sucker Punch is amazing and one of the last few bright shining lights in the game industry. I still support them and I cannot condone any animosity directed at them. It’s truly all the best people.”

She also argued that when companies give in to online harassment campaigns, it only fuels more of the same behavior by validating the tactics of those leading the attacks. “In my opinion, every company that has caved to their demands has contributed to the harassment and climate of fear the rest of us are enduring, and game companies that have done so, in particular, have painted a target on the back of every single person in this industry,” she added.

For Harrison, the dismissal marked the end of a decade-long tenure at one of Sony’s most well-regarded studios, known for titles like Ghost of Tsushima and inFamous. But the incident also raises wider questions about how studios navigate employee conduct, public pressure, and political commentary in an increasingly tense digital climate.

Despite the turmoil, Ghost of Yōtei remains on track for its October 2, 2025 release on PlayStation 5. Pre-loads are scheduled to open on September 25, 2025, and the game will be available in three editions:

• Standard Edition – $69.99

• Digital Deluxe Edition – $79.99

• Collector’s Edition – $129.99