New gearsets preview is a disappointment

[magitekwitch]

I want to add my disappointment to the cultural insensitivity shown in this outfits.
I am European Spanish, and my first reaction seeing this was repulsion. It's not a 1:1 copy of historical outfits yes, but the inspiration is very clear (except in the, what I suppose are, Casting and Healing sets).

I would never wear outfits that takes inspiration from historical oppression.

I understand the devs had no ill intention when designing this, but I also think they should check with cultural consultants to avoid trouble when they rely so much on real existing cultures and history. This is not the first issue with improper outfits (take the Sàmi outfit issue or the Korean designed Far Easter Performer with improper Japanese names).

Replacing a full set of gear so close to patch release date would be complicated, but I appreciate a lot if you could do something about these. As already mentioned by other users, a recolor of a pre-existing gear would be a fine adjustment.

[severeluna]

It’s basic common knowledge history as someone from the continent that colonizers wearing these outfits committed a genocide of countless native cultures through mass murder, slavery, and illness. This is unacceptable and as others had said please put placeholders when the patch drops. Id know plenty of people satisfied if you just give us dyeable 7.1 dungeon gear if you need something ‘marketable’. I’d much rather have a rewardless dungeon than have this blatantly ignorant and racist set.

[Morgana96]

Very disappointed with the design choices of this armor. Even as someone who's not from the culture, even I could spot the problem immediately once I saw the gear. I'll be submitting feedback in game as well about the issue.

Also, to people in this thread trying to make this about "drama" or telling people to "get over it": you're being a clown. Stop dismissing the valid criticisms of people of color: especially if you're an outsider to those cultures.

[bproject]

The new gearset for the dungeon is incredibly tone deaf and extremely insensitive to say the least. It is upsetting to see.

[VayaTruesong]

Seriously? One of the best-looking dungeon gear out there and people find way to complain? It is a freaking fantasy world. Are you going to complain on the behalf of Chinese that the Lord of Doma is a samurai?

[mejokohzei]

In an expansion that was told to have a cultural consultant, it's a very bad choice to make gear that, to this day, resembles a known symbol of hate and eradication of the Mesoamerican peoples of real life. Dawntrail is inspired by what these cultures have created, for the game to take from these people and then celebrate the symbols of their oppression is very disappointing. Even if it is done because of ignorance, it sends a hostile image to people from marginalized groups. I do not want the money that I have payed from my sub to go to fund a message of hostility. Please alter the gearsets to resemble the conquistador aesthetic less; if it's impossible for 7.3, patch it in.

[Phyi]

Echoing what others have said in that this set is extremely tone deaf and insensitive

[CaffeinePie]

Adding conquistador themed gear to an expansion inspired by cultures that faced colonial brutality and genocide at the hands of conquistadors is an incredibly tone deaf and insensitive choice.

This isn't a high bar. It shouldn't be difficult to look at this design and recognise how inappropriate it is given historical context. It's incredibly disappointing that this was added so thoughtlessly, and it does not inspire confidence in the developers or the future of this game.

[IcarusAvery]

I'm genuinely baffled. Even if we assume Japanese Google turned up no results and the library was closed and Yoshi-P forgot all knowledge about American history he might've had, surely someone down the chain could've pointed out "hey yeah this is a pretty bad look."


I can't expect them to change it now, but hopefully they realize the mistake and never do it again.

[bakudadadan]

I'm really not surprised we've come to this again, what with the frequent instances of bad taste decisions in the past.

I agree with the sentiment that the gear should be removed and/or replaced, and redesigned if possible Speaking as a Vietnamese person who has had his own dissatisfactions with representation of my culture in-game (Nagxia), I highly disapprove of using conquistador inspirations for the new dungeon gear, especially when we're in an expansion that was supposed to be focused on a Latin/South American inspired region.

I'll stick to my crafted gear for next patch, thanks.