The world of video games is shaken by the scandal around Yandere Simulatoran infamous stealth game that has been in development for almost a decade. Its creator, Alex Mahan, known online as Yandere Dev, is in the eye of the storm after being accused of having inappropriate communications with an underage fan. The allegations are based on screenshots and audio recordings of conversations that have been made public, in which Mahan is seen interacting with a young girl whom he knew was 16 years old.
Mahan, who is 35, admits that the talks did occur and calls them a “huge mistake.” In the leaked conversations, Mahan is seen flirting with the 16-year-old girl, discussing adult topics and defending his attraction to minors. Surprisingly, the alleged victim, who is given the pseudonym Jane, has come to the defense of Mahan’s actions. She claims the conversations were leaked by a friend of hers, who assured her that Mahan’s language was predatory. Jane maintains that this friend took the situation “too seriously.”
The original video, which contained recordings of Snapchat conversations and Discord calls, was shared by YouTuber “AllyMcC,” although it later appears to have been deleted, apparently at Jane’s request. The latter acknowledges that she initially wanted the video to be created, but has subsequently defended Mahan against accusations of manipulation.
In the recordings, Mahan repeatedly calls Jane “cute” in their first conversations. Shortly after, the recordings show Mahan taking the conversation into more sexual territory, discussing genital and breast sizes. Likewise, Mahan repeatedly defends his attraction to Jane, whom he knew was 16 at the time.
Additionally, screen recordings of an alleged Snapchat conversation between Mahan and Jane have been shared. Here, Jane talks to a Snapchat user called “Cosplay Fan,” which is said to be Mahan’s account. He has neither confirmed nor denied being the owner of this account in his statement. In any case, “Cosplay Fan” talks about a video Jane sent him of her undressing, saying it would be “very erotic.” Here it also seems to minimize the sexualization of minors again.
Later, Jane confronts “Cosplay Fan” about their relationship, saying that she now believes she was manipulated by him. In response, he claims to be a “lonely and vulnerable man who made the mistake of flirting with a girl who was a little young.” He then claims that Jane is mistreating him and that she has a “power imbalance” over him, even though she is 19 years his junior. Jane then agrees with him and says that she will ask her friend not to share her recordings. Her friend refuses, so “Cosplay Fan” begins to guide her on what to say to defend him.
Mahan has acknowledged the video and apologized for speaking to a fan significantly younger than him. However, he argues that his inappropriate comments were “crude jokes” and that he saw Jane as “one of the boys.” Still, he acknowledges that he shouldn’t have been talking to her in the first place, and that the responsibility falls on him as an adult to cut off communication. He denies that he intended to manipulate Jane.
Due to the material circulating online, Many major figures behind Yandere Simulator have left the project, including the protagonist’s voice actress, Michaela Laws, who announced her departure from the project. He says his voice may remain in the game, but he won’t be recording new material. Other voice actors, such as Austin Hively (the voice of Senpai/Taro); Brittany Lauda (the voice of Osana) and PM Seymour (the voice of Budo), have confirmed their departure.
What happened next is unclear. A post on the Yandere Simulator subreddit, supposedly written by Jane, defends Mahan. She argues that she was not manipulated because she initiated the contact and “illegally” recorded Mahan to share with friends. She criticizes “AllyMcC” and her friend for sharing her recordings.
For her part, “AllyMcC” has defended her decision to share the recordings without Jane’s permission, stating that “other victims” of Mahan wanted her to do it and that she and Jane’s friend believed she was still being manipulated by Mahan to defend it. So far, no other alleged victims have emerged.
Fountain: The Gamer
