Monster Names

[coffeeking]

i never even knew this lol

[ruinedmirage]

I wonder how Christians feel about the Mexican guy named Jesus working at the McDonalds down the street from my house......

TL;DR: It's just a game.

[NoctisCaelus]

I actually know Garuda and Shiva. They work at Jamba Juice with me. They really don't mind.

[Eekiki]

Just because Garuda and Shiva have always been iconic names given to monsters by SE does not excuse the blatant disregard for the sensibilities of modern day Hindus. How would the Japanese like it if some western game developed had an iconic monster named Buddha?

Oh, shut UP. I'm guessing from the context of your posts that you are not a devout Hindu yourself, so you speaking as though you're offended for them just sounds silly. Stop trying to create problems. The devs have enough on their plate already.

[Kezy_Kaatapoh]

Just because Garuda and Shiva have always been iconic names given to monsters by SE does not excuse the blatant disregard for the sensibilities of modern day Hindus. How would the Japanese like it if some western game developed had an iconic monster named Buddha?

Considering in all of my years of gaming I have never heard of someone getting offended over the names in Final Fantasy games, even when they are sold in predominantly Hindu areas, I don't think we have a problem.

[Reiterpallasch]

I would love it if Jesus was in this game. I would totally camp him so I could say "I killed jesus"

Oh man it could totally be a special leve quest and everything, where you need to turn in some lumber and nails.

[Daegras]

Just because Garuda and Shiva have always been iconic names given to monsters by SE does not excuse the blatant disregard for the sensibilities of modern day Hindus. How would the Japanese like it if some western game developed had an iconic monster named Buddha?

Modern day Hindu with no issues at all, reporting for duty! Don't think you speak for us as a collective unit, because you don't. Your grievances are yours and yours alone.

[CrowNevermore]

Just because Garuda and Shiva have always been iconic names given to monsters by SE does not excuse the blatant disregard for the sensibilities of modern day Hindus. How would the Japanese like it if some western game developed had an iconic monster named Buddha?

Budda was never a god, neither was Hotei (the "fat buddha"), on that point your argument is invalid. Furthermore, There are tons of games out that draw story and design from Japanese Shintoism and the Japanese seem to be very ok with that.

Final fantasy and SE are not trying to "offend" anyone with their use of human mythology in their story telling. They are doing exactly the opposite. They take the time to incorporate these stories into the story of each game in a way that is true to both the myth and the games story line. examples of this are:

The word Sephiroth (or Sephirot) is drawn from Kabbalah, where it refers to the group of 10 attributes through which God is revealed.

Masamune: The name refers to the legendary Japanese sword-maker, Masamune, who is regarded as one of the finest (often the finest) in history. The Masamune has been a legendary or semi legendary sword in most final fantasy games.

Carbuncle: is an elusive mythical animal with palish blue skin and a bright jewel on its face. The spanish conquistadors wrote about carbuncles in many journals, with some fantastical entries even stating that the carbuncle would turn gold if they wondered too close to their nests and would emit light.. In ffxiv, notice how the gold carbuncle is the defense summon for arcanist.

Diabolos: Taken from christianity, In ff8 it would cast Demi which would never kill an opponent, but always do 1/10 of their hp in damage (or 9999 if over 100k) - Demon posessions noted over the last 700 years have always noted that a weakening of morality, physical strength, mental wellness, and stamina were the first sign of being posessed by a (or the) devil.

The list goes on.

As for your bit of drama about if Hindus should or are offended, those I know who both practice and play Final Fantasy games not only loved them, but were PROUD and HAPPY about the representations of that part of their culture. So there you have it.

[lololink]

I wonder how devout Hindus feel about Garuda and Shiva being vicious monsters worshipped by beast tribes and needing to be defeated by mere mortals. Probably about the same as Christians would if one of those monsters had been named Jesus.

Well in FFXIII the last boss is kind of a representation of the christian trinity. I think all religion have one god as a monster in FF, and also sephiroth is something from the jewish religion too.
I always wondered if Shiva was based on the verb shiver, more than the god Shiva.

[NoctisCaelus]

Just because Garuda and Shiva have always been iconic names given to monsters by SE does not excuse the blatant disregard for the sensibilities of modern day Hindus. How would the Japanese like it if some western game developed had an iconic monster named Buddha?

If you care so much, why did you name the thread "Monster Names". So are you implying that Garuda and Shiva are monsters? o.o