Devir Games is recalling its recently released game Ace of Spades, which it acknowledges included "inappropriate illustrations, texts, and card effects" and making changes to the contents before offering it for sale again.

The cards that led to the recall included depictions of an enslaved Black person and an enslaver, intended as visual references to scenes from the film Django Unchained.  "These illustrations trivialize a painful and deeply rooted historical reality," the company said in a statement released on Friday.  "They should never have been included."

In addition to issuing an apology, Devir has stopped sales of the games and recalled copies from retailers; is designing all new replacement cards and making them available free of charge to anyone who requests them; is taking down social media posts related to the game until it's been reviewed and revised; is conducting an internal review of editorial and design processes to prevent similar incidents in the future; and is pledging to consult with experts in diversity, history, and cultural representation for future projects.

"We are especially grateful to those who brought this issue to our attention with clarity and care," the statement concluded.  "You've given us the opportunity to improve – and we will not waste it."