Character Creation Has A Race Problem

[Iscah]

If not, why does anime and JRPGs often depict Caucasian looking characters? Is it racism, bias or Japan simply not actually seeing them as Japanese, White, Black or any other real world race? The former two are assumptions, by the way. The latter has been stated outright by numerous artists.

As I linked earlier, Japanese people apparently do see these characters as Japanese (unless context indicates that they aren't). They're just drawn in a way that Western viewers perceive as Caucasian.

[Joven]

As I linked earlier, Japanese people apparently do see these characters as Japanese (unless context indicates that they aren't). They're just drawn in a way that Western viewers perceive as Caucasian.

I thought they primarily drew characters as "white" because it used less ink and was easier for shading?

Yes, it's SE's game. But like all mainstream media with a global audience, it falls to them to ensure a rounded and enjoyable gaming experience for all their fans, not just a select few. It's in their financial and reputational interests to do. Being Japanese isn't a reason not to, but in fact an argument for it - if they're so "clueless" about the issue, how will they know otherwise?

Racism and representation is a problem, whether you like it or not. Those affected by it do not have to honey their words or not bring it up to make you more comfortable, and the irony in your insistence that they do while calling them whiny and catty is incredible.

Well, here this is again. And again I'll point out that works of fiction don't have to represent anybody. The only well rounded and enjoyable gaming experience they HAVE to offer is to make the game playable through gameplay and mechanics. So I'll ask this: why do people feel like fictional characters have to represent them? How does a character not sharing superficial traits like skin color or gender keep you from enjoying a game? Is skin color the only thing you care about in a person?

[Skivvy]

So I'll ask this: why do people feel like fictional characters have to represent them? How does a character not sharing superficial traits like skin color or gender keep you from enjoying a game? Is skin color the only thing you care about in a person?

I mentioned this early on in this thread, but I personally get a bit bummed if I have no option to play as a female character in games. That's normally as far as I'll go in regards to a personal representation of myself, but I can appreciate that others may want to put more of themselves into a character. Especially in an MMO. We spend so much time with the character, it may help feel more connected and invested. I've tried many games where I was unable to make a character to my liking, and my interest in playing plummeted. Bit shallow/strange perhaps, but we all have our ways

[Joven]

I mentioned this early on in this thread, but I personally get a bit bummed if I have no option to play as a female character in games. That's normally as far as I'll go in regards to a personal representation of myself, but I can appreciate that others may want to put more of themselves into a character. Especially in an MMO. We spend so much time with the character, it may help feel more connected and invested. I've tried many games where I was unable to make a character to my liking, and my interest in playing plummeted. Bit shallow/strange perhaps, but we all have our ways

Most games have a set protagonist because that's the story they want to tell. Even MMOs are trying to tell a specific story and you're just along for the ride. I could see getting a little (emphasis on "a little") disappointed if a game promised character customization and then only offered one skin color or gender to work with, but most game that offer this do have those options.

[CainCrimson]

So I'll ask this: why do people feel like fictional characters have to represent them? How does a character not sharing superficial traits like skin color or gender keep you from enjoying a game? Is skin color the only thing you care about in a person?

Whenever a game has a character creator I try to re-create myself for the main play through, if the game allows for alts or multiple accounts then I get crazy with the options.

I think my own personal enjoyment of making a character represent myself visually is related to so many of the in-game choices representing me mentally.

When you come across limiting customization options in various games yet consistent in the fact that they are all limiting in the same way, it can sometimes cause an emotional reaction.

[Rokke]

Well, here this is again. And again I'll point out that works of fiction don't have to represent anybody. The only well rounded and enjoyable gaming experience they HAVE to offer is to make the game playable through gameplay and mechanics. So I'll ask this: why do people feel like fictional characters have to represent them? How does a character not sharing superficial traits like skin color or gender keep you from enjoying a game? Is skin color the only thing you care about in a person?

I don’t see it as an end all be all as much as a nice touch. When I was a kid playing Pokémon I imagined that my trainer looked like me. After a few games they let me play a female trainer. The more recent games now let me pick a skin tone close to my own. Neither of these were mandatory changes I needed, but they improved the overall experience for me.

I think people get too hung up on buzzwords instead of seeing more options for customization.

[Joven]

I don’t see it as an end all be all as much as a nice touch. When I was a kid playing Pokémon I imagined that my trainer looked like me. After a few games they let me play a female trainer. The more recent games now let me pick a skin tone close to my own. Neither of these were mandatory changes I needed, but they improved the overall experience for me.

I think people get too hung up on buzzwords instead of seeing more options for customization.

I guess I'm the Odd Man Out since I don't feel the need to see myself in a game. If I have the option then I usually purposefully choose characters that are different from me. I'm me 99.95% of the day, in that other 0.05% I don't want to have to think about anything related to being me and lose myself in someone else's story.

[Rokke]

I guess I'm the Odd Man Out since I don't feel the need to see myself in a game. If I have the option then I usually purposefully choose characters that are different from me. I'm me 99.95% of the day, in that other 0.05% I don't want to have to think about anything related to being me and lose myself in someone else's story.

My main is a max height Au Ra man. I’m a five foot nothing girl lol. Like I said, having or not having the option to look like myself is not a deal breaker for me, but it’s a nice addition for those that would, for one reason or another, want to look like me.



@thread
I don’t really see the point going in circles about supposed racism cause it’s how we get 40+ page threads going “I don’t like your tone” “Well I don’t like your tone”. It was totally possible to keep this thread on track but lordy some folks cannot help themselves. I hope OP (or anyone really) adds the suggestions for the hairstyles/skin tones to other threads or start a new one. It’s customization guys. At the end of the day it’s just more customization.

[Joven]

My main is a max height Au Ra man. I’m a five foot nothing girl lol. Like I said, having or not having the option to look like myself is not a deal breaker for me, but it’s a nice addition for those that would, for one reason or another, want to look like me.

I can understand that viewpoint, but some people on here seem to think it is absolutely necessary for everybody to be represented in everything all the time and I just can't agree with that.

[Emstidor]

I don’t see it as an end all be all as much as a nice touch. When I was a kid playing Pokémon I imagined that my trainer looked like me. After a few games they let me play a female trainer. The more recent games now let me pick a skin tone close to my own. Neither of these were mandatory changes I needed, but they improved the overall experience for me.

I think people get too hung up on buzzwords instead of seeing more options for customization.

Ironically enough, your Pokemon example is a case of what the OP and other people in this thread are arguing against.



Don't you see they CLEARLY just substituted darker skin on characters with traditionally caucasian features, which is NOT ENOUGH and stands as evidence of the DISCRIMINATION that PoC have to endure every day!

Is it any wonder people didn't take this thread seriously?