The zombies in Back 4 Blood accidentally use racist language

William Davis Published 11/08/2021

Playing as the undead is a key part of any zombie shooter, but Back 4 Blood’s weird multiplayer rules have soured the experience for many. Now, a strange audio coincidence is causing another uproar.

Players have reported mishearing zombie groans as racial slurs in the current Back 4 Blood pre-order beta test. The issue seems to affect multiple zombie groans, but is still rare to hear. Warner Bros has issued a statement apologizing for the sound clip. The Back 4 Blood open beta will begin August 12.

The strange sound appears to be a result of two different zombie sounds being played simultaneously. Zombies in Back 4 Blood make different noises depending on the situation. It’s possible that zombie moans pull from a central bank of clips which are then put through a filter.  

Developer Turtle Rock Studios used a variety of tricks, including mirrored assets and clothing swaps, to keep Left 4 Dead’s zombies distinct from each other. It’s possible that zombie groans pull from a central database of sound clips that are then combined or filtered to sound unique. According to publishers Warner Bros, the perceived racial slur is a result of two specific sound bytes being played at the same time.

“Our team has been made aware of offensive language that can be heard when playing the game. This was not recorded or ever intended to be part of our gameplay. The audio is a result of two different Ridden growls that are playing simultaneously and when heard together sound like that word,” the developer said. “We are working diligently to fix this issue, which should be completed either in time for the Beta, or when the game launches.”

The Back 4 Blood “racial slur” sound effect has likely gone through multiple stages of modulation to make it sound more like a zombie. Many things can happen during that complex process. The voice actor and sound effects designer almost certainly did not intentionally make a Back 4 Blood zombie use racial slurs. Still, it might be best to remove the offending sound clips before the Back 4 Blood’s final release.

Read Also

Kick

Here’s a Rundown of the Major New Features and Improvements on Kick in August 2026 Khizar Mundia Kick Director Ethan Wright has shared several new features that were introduced on the platform in August, also revealing that the team will continue to “push out great updates after great updates”. Livestreaming platform Kick is serious about introducing new features and making changes to improve the experience for both streamers and viewers. The Kick GO Live mobile app may be the standout addition the livestreaming platform has made in ...

Twitch

xQc Talks Subathons and Reveals Why He Avoids Them Khizar Mundia Félix “xQc” Lengyel is a major force in the streaming world, with his earnings being among the highest in the industry. However, despite this success, xQc has never done subathons — and the Kick streamer has revealed his reasons. Subathons have become an important element in the streaming world, as they are both engaging for viewers and beneficial for creators. Kai Cenat is arguably the most famous streamer who made ...

News

Here Is Every Major Announcement at Sony’s September State of Play Zachary Roberts The latest Sony State of Play was on September 3 at 9 am ET, and as usual, plenty of interesting games were announced and shown off. These, like a Nintendo Direct or Xbox Showcase, always end up being one of the most exciting times of the year for gamers. PlayStation often has great exclusives, so it's always worth seeing what they're working on. Interestingly enough, the first showcase wasn't game-related. ...

Kick

Kick Joins GTA RP Trend — Here’s What Partnership With Prodigy Entails Khizar Mundia The GTA RP community has been consistently growing, and Kick has just partnered with Prodigy, which displays the livestreaming platform’s interest in the scene. Here’s information about the partnership and why Kick may have entered the GTA RP scene right now. Kick has been trying to expand its esports base for some time, and its recent partnership with Riot Games has created ample opportunity for the platform. However, gaming remains ...

Slots

True Labs Set To Change Direction With New CEO Ben Boland True Labs started life as an experimental crypto casino in 2018 within the True Flip Group and has since evolved into an independent entity, boasting more than 40 crypto casino games and a network of supporting partners. Its evolution is set to continue with the appointment of a new CEO on September 1, 2026, with Sergey Glamazda confirmed as the Malta-based company’s new chief executive. Before joining True Labs, Glamazda ...

GTA

Rockstar Backs NoPixel V — What GTA 6 Means for GTA RP Khizar Mundia GTA 6 is about to release, and Rockstar has decided that it is the optimal time to announce that its collaborative GTA RP, NoPixel V, is about to enter closed beta. Roleplaying has been a major element in GTA, with several gaming streamers building their entire brand and community around it. NoPixel Studios is one of the most famous names in GTA RP, and NoPixel V is the newest version, ...

News

Kevin Hart Set To Host Major Pragmatic Play Live Casino Event Ben Boland Kevin Hart is joining forces with Pragmatic Play to host a live casino event that looks set to pack a serious punch. Hart is famed for starring in blockbusters such as Jumanji and Ride Along, and also as a stand-up comedian who has delivered his uniquely comic observations to audiences around the world. He will now act live dealer host for a packed two-day event in November. Pragmatic Play is ...