Asmongold responds to backlash for slamming Spider-Man 2’s gender-neutral Spanish

Popular Twitch streamer Asmongold has responded to backlash after he criticized Spider-Man 2’s controversial use of gender-neutral language in the Spanish version of the game.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 has been a massive hit with fans and critics, but the open world superhero game has sparked some controversy over its use of gender-neutral Spanish on the Danika Podcast.

The game features two different podcasts that play following big events in the form of Daily Bugle boss J. Jonah Jameson’s JJJ Podcast and Danika Hart’s more progressive Danikast.

One story segment featuring a non-binary scientist recently stirred some controversy when Spanish streamer ‘Rubius’ muted the podcast after hearing the gender-inclusive language, prompting Asmongold to praise his actions.

Asmongold calls out gender neutral Spanish in Spider-Man 2

The reason the gender-neutral language is such a big deal for the Spanish version of the game stems from the fact that Spanish itself is a gendered language and more complex than English.

While English can simply refer to a non-binary person as “they,” in Spanish it’s more difficult, with entirely new words needing to be created and existing ones altered.

During a rant about the game, Asmongold defended Rubius while taking aim at Insomniac’s decision to alter the Spanish language.

“Having your language changed by a developer that is not even from your f**king country, on behalf of all Americans who are not mentally ill, we would like to apologize to the Spanish community,” he said. “We don’t want this either, we think it’s just as ridiculous as you do, and in fact we are even more embarrassed because it’s our people doing it.”

His comments quickly caused some drama when they spread to social media with an X user accusing the MMORPG streamer of “mocking mental illness” and shifting blame to the LGBT community.

“I don’t think LGBTQ people are mentally ill, but I think you are,” the streamer hit back. “Have fun tweeting. Enjoy it. I’m not worried about this. Get mad all you want. It doesn’t change reality. And the reality is that the majority of Spanish-speakers that I’ve spoken to, and if you read the comments on the video, all of the Spanish speakers are all agreeing with me.”

Asmongold reiterated that he was just “the messenger” and that he has no qualms with LGBTQ individuals.

For more on Spider-Man 2, check out more of Dexerto’s coverage.