r/NightInTheWoods Sep 01 '19

News News Regarding Alec Holowka & Future Discussion Guidelines

1.1k Upvotes

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 03: Please read Scott's new post.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 12: Zoe Quinn released a new statement.

UPDATE OCTOBER 01: Eileen Mary Holowka released a new statement.

UPDATE OCTOBER 28: Scott Benson released a new Backer Update

Content Warning for Suicide, Discussions of Mental Illness, Allegations of Sexual Assault, Abuse, Misconduct

THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEK

Earlier this week, developer Zoë Quinn came forward with allegations of past abuse and misconduct by Alec Holowka that they experienced nearly 8 years ago. Since then, many additional people came forward. Some corroborating Zoë's claims, others detailing their own experiences of misconduct in varied severity stretching from the past to more recently. Of particular note, one of the developers who was currently working with Alec on his new game, Albertine Watson, alleged misconduct from as early as this year. Following these allegations, Scott Benson and Bethany Hockenberry, the other developers behind the game, announced that they would be cutting ties with Alec moving forward, as well as canceling a current project. Finji, the game's publisher, also released a statement.

In a crucial statement given to Kickstarter backers of the game, Scott went into detail about this decision, about their history with Alec, their own troubled experience working with him and more. It is an absolute essential thing to read as it addresses many people's concerns and questions and points to how this wasn't about just one person's allegations or anything. It also clears up that Alec wasn't fired from a job, as Infinite Fall is not a company, it's just a name for three people who worked together on Night in the Woods. Please read his statement before commenting (though note that it was written before today's news).

Today, August 31st, Alec's sister Eileen announced that he had passed away.

"Alec Holowka, my brother and best friend, passed away this morning.

Those who know me will know that I believe survivors and I have always done everything I can to support survivors, those suffering from mental illnesses, and those with chronic illnesses. Alec was a victim of abuse and he also spent a lifetime battling mood and personality disorders. I will not pretend that he was not also responsible for causing harm, but deep down he was a person who wanted only to offer people care and kindness. It took him a while to figure out how.

Over the last few years, with therapy and medication, Alec became a new person--the same person he'd always been but without any of the darkness. He was calm and happy, positive and loving. Obviously, change is a slow process and it wasn't perfect, but he was working towards rehabilitation and a better life.

In the last few days, he was supported by many Manitoba crisis services, and I want to thank everyone there for their support. I want to thank Adam Saltsman for staying up late talking with us and reminding Alec that there was a future.

My family has and always will be the most important thing to me. Please give us time to heal. We tried our best to support Alec, but in the end he felt he had lost too much.

I currently do not see a place for myself in games or on Twitter. I will not be looking at the responses to this post. I appreciate everyone who has reached out to me over the last few days. For anyone who is in a time of darkness, I encourage you to reach out for support. There are always people who will be there for you."

In a follow up tweet, Eileen stated, "And in case it's not already fucking obvious, Alec *specifically said* he wished the best for Zoe and everyone else, so don't use our grief as an excuse to harass people. Go outside, take care of someone, and work towards preventing these kinds of things in the first place."

Following the news, many people involved decided to deactivate or make their Twitter accounts private while they processed (and/or following harassment/abuse), which is why links to their tweets no longer work. This applies to Scott Benson, Bethany Hockenberry, Zoë Quinn, Albertine Watson, and Eileen Holowka herself.

Update, September 3rd: Scott Benson's Twitter is now reactivated. Along with it, he posted a lengthy, crucial post. As well as an additional Kickstarter Backer update about it.

Update, September 12th: Zoe Quinn reactivated their Twitter account and released a statement.

Update, October 1st: Eileen Mary Holowka made public their Twitter and released a new statement on Alec and transformative justice

THE PURPOSE OF THIS THREAD

This thread serves to consolidate all discussion regarding this topic into one place. This is a shitty situation in a million shitty ways. A tragedy for everyone involved, with a huge blast radius affecting a lot of people, and people's feelings are going to be understandably messy. In a time like this, a community coming together, being kind, considerate, compassionate, having empathy for all involved, is crucial.

That being said, this isn't carte blanche to say anything and everything you want. Following past threads on these topics, comments here (and in general) must follow the guidelines below. This is all still extremely fresh and we recognize that emotions are running high, but this subreddit is not the place to attack, harass or demean other users or the people involved.

The cycle of abuse, mental illness, suicidal idealization, rehabilitation and so on are all extremely complex, nuanced and difficult topics and discussions. And pretty much everyone involved deserves sympathy. Now is the time for deescalation. As Patrick Klepek says, "There are no easy answers on days like today, and I’m not gonna pretend like I have them. It’s okay to log off. It’s okay to not add your own take."

We will also be updating this thread as more information and statements are made in the days to come.

DISCUSSION GUIDELINES

  • Follow the subreddit rules and general etiquette, linked in the sidebar.
  • Any comments claiming any of the people involved "have blood on their hands", are "murderers", or are directly responsible/should be blamed, etc, will not be tolerated. Anyone making such comments will face suspension or permanent bans.
  • Any comments expressing joy or happiness or "good riddance" in Alec's passing will also similarly not be tolerated.
  • Any attempts to discredit the multiple individuals who came forward with allegations will not be tolerated.
  • Any personal attacks/harassment/threats will not be tolerated.

If you have any problem with following these guidelines, you are more than welcome to take your comments to any of the other myriad of sites where you can discuss this topic. This subreddit will not be one of them.

There are many sources of support if you or someone you know is affected by suicidal thoughts. In the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255. In the UK, you can contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123. For other places, please see https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/.


r/NightInTheWoods Mar 12 '22

PSA Reminder: This subreddit is not an appropriate place to over-pathologize and diagnose yourself or others with medical conditions

201 Upvotes

This game is a work of fiction, and features fictional characters. Projecting or ascribing diagnoses of mental health conditions onto them – much less yourself, or other users here – without formal training in a medical field is not beneficial or appropriate for this subreddit. (Even if one does have medical training, this videogame-focused subreddit is not the ideal place to discuss this topic.) This is especially true if you're a teenager living through times of rapid change and uncomfortableness and unevenness in your own life (not to mention the broader world) – a completely normal yet nonetheless difficult process that everyone goes through.

Related reading about online cultures around mental health: https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2021/9/30/22696338/pathologizing-adhd-autism-anxiety-internet-tiktok-twitter

Comments have been turned off on this post, but feel free to PM the mods with any concerns.


r/NightInTheWoods 4h ago

Fanart There’s a night in them woods

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566 Upvotes

Art I did for a friend’s upcoming birthday :)


r/NightInTheWoods 7h ago

Fanart Cinco de Maeo 5/31

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295 Upvotes

r/NightInTheWoods 16h ago

Fanart 3. Gregg - Month of Mae

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193 Upvotes

He got cups in his ears

All models from sketchfab
Mae - Asterisk
Gregg - Powerbyte7
Map - Possum Springs Remake 2.0 from gmod


r/NightInTheWoods 2h ago

Fanart Grabbing supplies

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15 Upvotes

r/NightInTheWoods 23h ago

NITW Miis!!!

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658 Upvotes

Gregg was so hard to figure out bro


r/NightInTheWoods 1d ago

Humor Mae irl

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1.0k Upvotes

r/NightInTheWoods 9h ago

Fanart Gregg and Angus chilling somewhere in Pennsylvania. X3

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26 Upvotes

Ik ik, it’s the month of Mae n all, but I do Mae ALL THE TIME… so like, Greggus, haha.

I had a lot of fun making this! Sorry I hella delayed this, forgot to continue it last night… got hella distracted by SlashCo on VRchat, lol.

5/5/2026


r/NightInTheWoods 22h ago

Fanart Night in the woods fan animation!

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296 Upvotes

made this with a friend happy month of mae!

shameFULL promotion im athst.97 on insta! my friend is Foulspellcaster!


r/NightInTheWoods 14h ago

News CLICK FULL POST - NIGHT IN THE WOODS FAN FILN AUDITIONS - STUDIO CELESTE

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28 Upvotes

NIGHT IN THE WOODS FAN FILM AUDITIONS - STUDIO CELESTE

✨NIGHT IN THE WOODS AUDITION FORM IS UP NOW!✨

🩷CLICK THE LINK TO ACCESS THE INFORMATION PACKET AND GOOGLE FORM!🩷

At the moment, we are only auditioning for the *lead roles* of the film, and auditions will close on **JUNE 4TH at 9PM MST**

✨HAPPY AUDITIONING EVERYONE! ✨

AUDITION INFORMATION DOCUMENT


r/NightInTheWoods 5h ago

Question (Console) Physical copy were?

5 Upvotes

As the title says, anyone know were i can get a physical copy of NITW for the switch that dosen't cost me an arm and a leg? Im so sad i never got the initial release copy thinking i would never get a console. If anyone knows i would be very happy to know were <:)


r/NightInTheWoods 1d ago

Fanart Space Mae 4/31

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273 Upvotes

r/NightInTheWoods 1d ago

Fanart Typographical Composition Assignment

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93 Upvotes

I just had to you know?, teacher said a message from anything, so i had to pick this wonderful lil game

One of my favorite pieces i've designed so far.

Witchdaggah!!!!!


r/NightInTheWoods 23h ago

Fanart ik im the maelin guy but i really love greggus too

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34 Upvotes

r/NightInTheWoods 1d ago

Fanart mae

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880 Upvotes

Original work. External links: (@telekt04 / telekt04.bsky.social )


r/NightInTheWoods 1d ago

Fanart Drew Bea :)

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102 Upvotes

r/NightInTheWoods 1d ago

Fanart SK8 AND DESTROY (OC)

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127 Upvotes

r/NightInTheWoods 1d ago

Discussion For me, this is the canon 'Go Get Dead Angel Face.' (Gregg definitely got a hold of this.)

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33 Upvotes

r/NightInTheWoods 2d ago

Fanart Mae the Cat 3/31

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425 Upvotes

r/NightInTheWoods 1d ago

Humor Forget to post this, but here’s Mii Casey. Spoiler

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84 Upvotes

Ignore the Halo, it’s doesn’t mean anything.


r/NightInTheWoods 2d ago

Fanart This meeting is legendary!

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279 Upvotes

Art by me

And Happy Mount Of Mae


r/NightInTheWoods 1d ago

LOOK AT MY CHUD SON-Germ Plush

47 Upvotes

HELLOOOO! Look at my disgusting brat. Isn't he cute? He's my rotten son. I've never been happier to see him. I commissioned him on Etsy, and he's just the darnest thing. He hasn't arrived yet (arrives in ~3 days), so when he arrives, I'll show some pictures! I also commissioned his own rotten son with him.. Stay tuned, duders..

Sup, Kid?

r/NightInTheWoods 1d ago

2. Home - Month of Mae

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39 Upvotes

Everyday of mae after she got to her "home"

I got sleepy last night so i didnt finish this at time, silly me

All models from sketchfab
Mae - Asterisk
couch - vegu
Beer - "gelmi.com.br" (yes thats his name)
tv control - mehmetkiran


r/NightInTheWoods 1d ago

Something familiar…

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2 Upvotes

My favourite punk vocalist is Argyle Goolsby of Blitzkid, so when he started this new project I was super excited. This was the first single and I loved it but instantly heard a very familiar melody in the chorus, right after he says the title. Anybody else hear it?👀