Character Creation Has A Race Problem

[Awha]

Or perhaps just exert some measure of control over the huge chip on your shoulder you have about me and your insatiable need to win internet arguments. There is nothing compelling you to respond to me beyond your own ego.

LOL, I was waiting for the inevitable "pull up the Google dictionary definition of racism" post. OF never disappoints.

The key word in there is discrimination. Discrimination is any unfair or unjust treatment based on your race or gender, which covers all the more insidious forms of racism people like to pretend don't exist because it's not overt, aggressive racism. To assert there's no problem because there's no obvious hostility is not only wrong but incredibly narrow-minded. Exclusion (more or less the point being made here) whitewashing, lack of representation in the media - it all stems from the underlying, semi-subconscious current that one race/ type of beauty is more preferable or better than another... which is the most basic definition of racism.



It's not fine, and the "hyur aren't people!!" argument is hilarious. Hyur are clearly, blatantly and utterly human rip-offs. They have human features, human naming conventions, human dress and even have distinct human ethnicities, with Anglo-saxon and Japanese having been shown. There are even references to real world religions in this game. There is no reason whatsoever that other races couldn't be included, and insinuating that they shouldn't have, "don't fit" or "don't need" a place in fantasy is both ignorant and racist.

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?

Always conveniently the way, isn't it? That's not even a viable excuse. More often than not it's a cheap shot used to complain because of the innate hatred certain people have of being reminded of the bias media has, as well as the fact that they benefit from it. If you suddenly change your views because you don't like how something was said, you need to take a good look at yourself.

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.

What I am confused about is how you seem to be fighting for equal representation, yet you only seem to be focusing on the race aspect. Why is that? I understand that this is the topic of the tread, but for some reason I find it extremely unlikely you question the representation of other groups or categories. Just seems like you just want something to complain about. It is a video game, not political statement, enjoy it for what it is, a game.

[Lunaxia]

Well, here this is again.

They do if they want to do well in this day and age, and want to expand and keep their customer base. It is in their interests to do so. What do you think would have happened if FFXIV had kept Eternal Bonding opposite-sex only? Why do you think they gave in to the bunny suit gender lock backlash?

You truly think people don't look to make approximations of themselves? That's all I've ever known people do with human races.

What I am confused about is how you seem to be fighting for equal representation, yet you only seem to be focusing on the race aspect. Why is that?

Maybe because... that's the topic at hand?

[Joven]

They do if they want to do well in this day and age, and want to expand and keep their customer base. It is in their interests to do so. What do you think would have happened if FFXIV had kept Eternal Bonding opposite-sex only? Why do you think they gave in to the bunny suit gender lock backlash?

You truly think people don't look to make approximations of themselves? That's all I've ever known people do with human races.

Simply because they CHOSE to add those features doesn't mean the HAD to. I'll bet anything that if they had kept Eternal Bonding opposite sex only they wouldn't have suffered too greatly. The amount of people who would've dropped their subs because of it would have been largely insignificant.

But why would you want to create yourself in a game? I thought video games were supposed to be an escape from the real world into the life of someone else if even for a few hours at a time?

[Skivvy]

But why would you want to create yourself in a game? I thought video games were supposed to be an escape from the real world into the life of someone else if even for a few hours at a time?

With that type of thinking, having human characters in the first place should be a big no-no. Maybe the next game will let us play as a hot-pink newt roaming the lands to ensure our character is nothing like the real us. :X

Obviously that's taking that thinking waaay further than probably intended, but yeah. We all enjoy things in our own way. We all have our own preferences, it's one of those pesky things about being human There is nothing wrong with wanting to put a bit of yourself into a character, just like there is nothing wrong with wanting to make the spiffiest (non-you) character that you can.

[Awha]

They do if they want to do well in this day and age, and want to expand and keep their customer base. It is in their interests to do so. What do you think would have happened if FFXIV had kept Eternal Bonding opposite-sex only? Why do you think they gave in to the bunny suit gender lock backlash?

You truly think people don't look to make approximations of themselves? That's all I've ever known people do with human races.



Maybe because... that's the topic at hand?

I already said it is properly because it was the topic at hand, but I also do find it extremely unlikely you question representation for all groups across the board in all forms of media you consume. In short I still stand by my claim you are looking for something to complain about. It is a game, not a political statement.

Overall if you are down for more customization options I am all for it. Personally I would like a bulge, hair, butt, and bust sliders.