technology
GOG Newsletter Uses Slavic Runes That Rendered as SS-Like Symbol on Some Devices Due to Font Error
The digital game retailer sent an email on June 5 that featured two Sowilō runes rendered as a double-S shape. GOG attributed the inclusion to miscommunication, font rendering differences, and staffing shortages.
nationalpost.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
GOG sent a newsletter on June 5 promoting the game The End of the Sun that included two Sowilō Slavic runes placed next to each other. On some platforms, including mobile phones, the runes rendered as ϟ, producing a double-S shape associated with the Nazi Schutzstaffel. The game is a fantasy title set in a universe based on Slavic mythology and culture.
GOG included the Sowilō symbol, which means “sun,” as part of its promotion of the title. GOG issued a statement attributing the inclusion to a series of mistakes, including miscommunication with the German QA team, inconsistent font rendering, and being understaffed during a bank holiday. A verified GOG representative posted on Reddit that the material was not sent to the German community.
The representative wrote: “I also recognize that placing two such runes next to each other could create an unfortunate association with symbols used by the Nazi regime. ” The developers of The End of the Sun posted in a Reddit thread that they were surprised by the symbols. “We don’t know why GOG used symbols in their newsletter,” the developers wrote.
GOG is a Steam competitor. The Verge reported the events on June 6, 2026.
