Character Creation Has A Race Problem

[Theodric]

Thankfully Japan has no obligation to bend over backwards to accommodate the every whim of foreign customers or drastically change its society to appease the delicate sensibilities of those deliberately going out of their way to be offended. I'm not suggesting that Japan doesn't have issues since every country does. Yet the official site of a video game really isn't a suitable platform to discuss such things at length.

Not having the hairstyles you want in a game's character creation isn't a case of racism at all - especially when the game's developers are free to design the inhabitants of their world as they see fit. Furthermore there's already some 'diverse' hairstyles and skin tones in the game as has been pointed out many times within this very thread.

The attempts to paint Square Enix and Japan as a whole as some kind of villain is rather offensive and deceptive. If you feel that strongly about being wronged, perhaps you should vote with your wallet...?

[Melichoir]

I'm sorry that there are issues in the world that don't personally affect you, and that being made aware of them Offends you so. I wish you luck with the growing up, and hope you feel better once you've had some time alone to yourself in your safe space.

Except a peculiar issue:

No one had mentioned much about this till 'now'. Something you stated. Which likely means : People didnt care about it till people were made to care about it.

That is no one cared about this and gave it no thought because they didnt see it as an issue that affected them, until someone said "Oh hey, not enough racial features I want to see!" Then it became an issue. And its not like we dont have black, or white, or hispanic, or asian, or etc people playing this game. So obviously someone shouldve mentioned it well before now. But I half expect someone to deflect by saying "They werent being given the chance cause...reasons."

But hey, if you think the game has an issue, go ahead and bring it up. But if you really are a person of principle, then I say this: Say something, and when the devs dont do anything, unsub. Afterall, why pay for a game that doesnt represent you to the T.

[FeliAiko]

Thankfully Japan has no obligation to bend over backwards to accommodate the every whim of foreign customers or drastically change its society to appease the delicate sensibilities of those deliberately going out of their way to be offended. I'm not suggesting that Japan doesn't have issues since every country does. Yet the official site of a video game really isn't a suitable platform to discuss such things at length.

Not having the hairstyles you want in a game's character creation isn't a case of racism at all - especially when the game's developers are free to design the inhabitants of their world as they see fit. Furthermore there's already some 'diverse' hairstyles and skin tones in the game as has been pointed out many times within this very thread.

The attempts to paint Square Enix and Japan as a whole as some kind of villain is rather offensive and deceptive. If you feel that strongly about being wronged, perhaps you should vote with your wallet...?

Just like how SE has no obligation to accommodate glamour options that prioritise male characters first and foremost, right?

Anyways, that mess above isn't even that serious. Talk about an overreaction, all while accusing others of going out of their way to be offended, no less...

[Enla]

.

Except I never tried to justify it nor say people should ignore it? However I very firmly believe that sweeping aside the reasons why a Japanese company might not have their fingers on the pulse of cultural inclusion is culturally insensitive in and of itself. Wanting more inclusion and acknowledging/respecting why a culture might not immediately try to be that way are not mutually exclusive.

[wondergroove]

Thankfully Japan has no obligation to bend over backwards to accommodate the every whim of foreign customers or drastically change its society to appease the delicate sensibilities of those deliberately going out of their way to be offended. I'm not suggesting that Japan doesn't have issues since every country does. Yet the official site of a video game really isn't a suitable platform to discuss such things at length.

Not having the hairstyles you want in a game's character creation isn't a case of racism at all - especially when the game's developers are free to design the inhabitants of their world as they see fit. Furthermore there's already some 'diverse' hairstyles and skin tones in the game as has been pointed out many times within this very thread.

The attempts to paint Square Enix and Japan as a whole as some kind of villain is rather offensive and deceptive. If you feel that strongly about being wronged, perhaps you should vote with your wallet...?

Except no one is getting up in arms about this. No one is calling SE evil or a villain. No one is asking SE to bend over backwards or "drastically change its society". It seems like you're putting words in people's mouths in an attempt to be overly offended about people criticizing a game you like.

People bring up "hey this thing might be kinda racist, maybe we could talk about it instead of ignoring it" calmly, and then you get a bunch of irrationally angry people saying that just the act of bringing the topic up is "drastic" and that everyone who does so is only doing it because they have """""""""delicate sensibilities"""""""""".

If you don't think it's an issue, that's perfectly fine. You don't have to talk about it or join in on discussions where people are talking about it, especially considering it apparently doesn't affect you either way. That doesn't mean it isn't worth talking about or that no one should bother.

And actually, discussing this on the forums is the perfect place to bring this up. Even if nothing comes from it, this is literally the exact place where players go to voice concerns or talk about issues. This is literally what the forums were made for, I can't...

Anyways, there are many problems going on all over the world, but your refusal to acknowledge them because you, personally, can't comprehend them doesn't prove they don't exist.

Making out anyone who tries to discuss issues in a game as some kind of irrational angry straw man is both deceptive and just an overall poor argument altogether.

[Theodric]

Making out anyone who tries to discuss issues in a game as some kind of irrational angry straw man is both deceptive and just an overall poor argument altogether.

For the issue to be an issue in the first place the implication is that racism is at play. It isn't - because no developer is under any obligation to custom tailor their setting to cater to every possible ethnicity out there.

A great many people do not feel the need to play a character that looks and acts like they do. There's a huge difference between people suggesting something and demanding it, especially when the latter is accompanied by guilt tripping and the implication that it is somehow 'problematic' to not do exactly what they desire.

Just like how SE has no obligation to accommodate glamour options that prioritise male characters first and foremost, right?

You're right, they're under no obligation. It'd be nice, though I'm not going to lose any sleep over it. That Japanese games tend to heavily lean on female costume options over male costume options is hardly a secret at this point. Since I enjoy the game as a whole, though, it isn't nearly enough to impact my enjoyment to any great extent.

[Magic-Mal]

Thankfully Japan has no obligation to bend over backwards to accommodate the every whim of foreign customers or drastically change its society to appease the delicate sensibilities of those deliberately going out of their way to be offended. I'm not suggesting that Japan doesn't have issues since every country does. Yet the official site of a video game really isn't a suitable platform to discuss such things at length.

Not having the hairstyles you want in a game's character creation isn't a case of racism at all - especially when the game's developers are free to design the inhabitants of their world as they see fit. Furthermore there's already some 'diverse' hairstyles and skin tones in the game as has been pointed out many times within this very thread.

The attempts to paint Square Enix and Japan as a whole as some kind of villain is rather offensive and deceptive. If you feel that strongly about being wronged, perhaps you should vote with your wallet...?

As a big-time supporter of male players/characters and LGBT getting equal treatment via glamour, hairstyles and representation in this game, I WILL remember this post. It says alot. Mr. "Firm advocate of nuanced antagonists, smoother official promotions for European players and more glamour options designed first and foremost with male characters in mind."

[wondergroove]

Except I never tried to justify it nor say people should ignore it? However I very firmly believe that sweeping aside the reasons why a Japanese company might not have their fingers on the pulse of cultural inclusion is culturally insensitive in and of itself. Wanting more inclusion and acknowledging/respecting why a culture might not immediately try to be that way are not mutually exclusive.

Except I know the reasoning behind the lack of inclusion. I said so multiple times. And, again, that reasoning doesn't mean SE or Japan is above criticism. Yes, I perfectly understand why it is the way it is. But I also know that it's an issue that can at the very least be discussed.

Acknowledging that it's an issue but understanding the reasons why it's an issue isn't "sweeping aside" anything. Lack of representation is lack of representation, and regardless of the reasons behind it, it's generally a good idea to allow your diverse, international playerbase to have more than a handful of diverse options.

I'm not asking for a riot, a game overhaul, the reformation of foreign countries, or for SE to be burned in the streets. I'm literally only saying that a lack of diverse physical traits in a character creator isn't Good, and that game designers have the capacity to do Better.

[Wiccan026]

Except no one is getting up in arms about this. No one is calling SE evil or a villain. No one is asking SE to bend over backwards or "drastically change its society". It seems like you're putting words in people's mouths in an attempt to be overly offended about people criticizing a game you like.

People bring up "hey this thing might be kinda racist, maybe we could talk about it instead of ignoring it" calmly, and then you get a bunch of irrationally angry people saying that just the act of bringing the topic up is "drastic" and that everyone who does so is only doing it because they have """""""""delicate sensibilities"""""""""".

If you don't think it's an issue, that's perfectly fine. You don't have to talk about it or join in on discussions where people are talking about it, especially considering it apparently doesn't affect you either way. That doesn't mean it isn't worth talking about or that no one should bother.

And actually, discussing this on the forums is the perfect place to bring this up. Even if nothing comes from it, this is literally the exact place where players go to voice concerns or talk about issues. This is literally what the forums were made for, I can't...

Anyways, there are many problems going on all over the world, but your refusal to acknowledge them because you, personally, can't comprehend them doesn't prove they don't exist.

Making out anyone who tries to discuss issues in a game as some kind of irrational angry straw man is both deceptive and just an overall poor argument altogether.

Even if it's not being done directly, it's being done indirectly... the words you use someone can easily misread if that's not your intent to take it in that matter.

I keep checking back and I've never seen folks reply to the ones who've posted pictures from character creation... not to mention that the OP still implies has incorrect information in it implying why the character creator is wrong.

[Theodric]

As a big-time supporter of male players/characters and LGBT getting equal treatment via glamour, hairstyles and representation in this game, I WILL remember this post. It says alot.

Please elaborate, I'll admit to not catching your meaning with that statement. It is pretty late for me right now though.