Far Northern Attire

[boopadoop]

lotta drama over new world glamour when it came out too, it'll be fine uvu

[Hurlstone]

Being fair, the behavior of the group makes it challenging to have much empathy in this situation. Of course people have a right to comment how their culture is portrayed. This group was free to use the release of this outfit in a positive way, opening up educational opportunities for a culture many people probably don't even know exists. What better launching board than a popular global entertainment product!?

Going to the group's Twitter, they don't even seem to find the outfit to be bad representation or offensive. Instead they have a Gif saying SquareEnix has a lot of money, demanding that they remove the outfit (or give them money, essentially).

Twitter shakedowns where there appears to be no legal leg to stand upon aren't the most endearing ways to get people to appreciate your culture. As an attorney, it would be a legal nightmare to even attempt to codify IP rights to a culture on such a broad scale to include basic clothing, which is why such rights do not seem to presently exist in regards to global IP despite attempts by some groups to advocate for them.

Moreover, there isn't a legal right or requirement for any culture to give their seal of approval before it is represented in media. A country can ban media it finds problematic. A cultural community can choose not to support a product and speak out against representation it doesn't agree with. But no cultural group can require that it be immune to critique or interpretation on a global scale, or require that they have to have a say in how they are represented in all products, or are entitled to money for any product even vaguely featuring an aspect of the culture.

Oh I do agree there, I feel that money is the ultimate goal here given how they are presenting the issue and I doubt much will come from this either way. Still those from Sami culture have every right to comment on such aspects, even if this specific councils goal may not be as noble as they present it. As I said I do not think there is anything particularly grievous about this situation, but even now many fictional worlds will still use cultural aspects in misguided or even outright racist ways. Just look at how the treatment of goblins is being delt with in another magical world…

My comment was more aimed at the fact that aveyond always seems to lack any empathy for those they may disagree with, no matter the topic. I feel that is just a sad way to approach things, especially when it comes to real life issues like this. Not everything deserves a forked tongue.

[Ath192]

Quite honestly, if trademarking or copyrighting looks becomes a thing in the world now we are doomed. I agree this sort of thing must be resisted at all costs and not only that but punished with counter lawsuits if possible to create deterrence on anyone that may do the same.

I know it sounds harsh but catering to people who become easily offended is a surefire way to create oppression. Every single outfit ever draws inspiration from things that came before it.

It's a Japanese game that uses a lot of western outfits, should the westerners be offended? Some outfits are heavily inspired by conquistadors, native americans, pirates, middle eastern folk should they all be offended? Should the game developers in turn delete every style from the game except basic t shirts and jeans until someone becomes offended over that as well? Then we can run around naked?

I will say no. Not at all. no matter who you are, what you are wearing, and this goes for every single person on this forum and the planet, someone will find you offensive. Even if you are the biggest social justice warrior out there. I hope SE resists this. This outfit has gone to top of my purchase list when I decide to get a new mog station item.

[hagare]

This outfit has gone to top of my purchase list when I decide to get a new mog station item.

it's good to know how easily manipulated you are xD

[Ath192]

it's good to know how easily manipulated you are xD

I mean, given it was on my purchase list anyways, and it just moved to the first one I'm getting I'm okay if this is your take. Everyone chooses what to be manipulated by in this world. You're in this forum cause you bought into SE's vision on how you should waste your time on their video games. And here we both are aren't we?

But maybe you'll quit to be rebellious and go to hot topic to look super edgy and be part of the counterculture right? But no, you don't get swayed like that, you instead buy basic clothing like fruit of the loom or nondescript brands who market exactly to the kind of folk that don't want to advertise or show a preference in brands. They knew this, that's why you are their target audience.

[Iscah]

Ultimately I think this whole thing could and should have been avoided by not putting an exact copy of Sami cultural dress in the game, especially devoid of context and being sold for real money.

Did anyone specifically want to dress up as a Sami, or did they just see it as a cute winter outfit? If just a cute outfit, why did it need to be that precise copy of a cultural outfit instead of something amalgamated from the style of dress worn in cold climates across multiple cultures? What benefit is there to making it that exact design and colour scheme, where anything else would be just as well received?

[ZephyrMenodora]

Ultimately I think this whole thing could and should have been avoided by not putting an exact copy of Sami cultural dress in the game, especially devoid of context and being sold for real money.

Did anyone specifically want to dress up as a Sami, or did they just see it as a cute winter outfit? If just a cute outfit, why did it need to be that precise copy of a cultural outfit instead of something amalgamated from the style of dress worn in cold climates across multiple cultures? What benefit is there to making it that exact design and colour scheme, where anything else would be just as well received?

Why exactly do they need to avoid this culture or any culture for INSPIRATION for clothing? Many different cultures are represented by items INSPIRED in the game. The dev's don't have to avoid this culture entirely just because they want to extort money out of it afterwards. No culture has the right to demand this.

[Kes13a]

Ultimately I think this whole thing could and should have been avoided by not putting an exact copy of Sami cultural dress in the game, especially devoid of context and being sold for real money.

Did anyone specifically want to dress up as a Sami, or did they just see it as a cute winter outfit? If just a cute outfit, why did it need to be that precise copy of a cultural outfit instead of something amalgamated from the style of dress worn in cold climates across multiple cultures? What benefit is there to making it that exact design and colour scheme, where anything else would be just as well received?

you must be looking at a different google page than I found because I couldnt find that as an exact match to any. but it is possible my search was faulty.

[Iscah]

you must be looking at a different google page than I found because I couldnt find that as an exact match to any. but it is possible my search was faulty.

I haven't done a recent search but I recall people showing comparative pictures at the time and it was very close – particularly the distinct combination of blue cloth and red embroidery.

[Boblawblah]

I'll be honest, I've never understood someone being angry another culture is using part's of their culture in their products, especially if it's in a positive way. I'm trying to imagine Europeans being angry because Dark Souls has armor inspired by European armor, and it's just silly to imagine.