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[Thorgi]

Methinks the people pouring in screaming that "sensitive people are looking to be offended" are the actual sensitive people, eager for a chance to be offended and decry "PC bullshit." It's always the same; one or two people express annoyance or critique the gamer's golden calf, and a horde rushes in, eager to defend the latest commercial product at the expense of real humans.

Especially since this is happening now: https://twitter.com/Bruisermobile/status/467053455069442048

 

[d0c_zaius]

1. Both guys on the cover look Asian.
2. You can't tell if someone is gay by what they are wearing.
3. OP should be ashamed.

I think this is something we can all agree on

 

[benny_a]

I agree also, the "white character" has slanted eyes, which is why I do not think he is white (no offense to anybody).

Offense taken.

 

[Nerokis]

Jesus Christ.

We know next to nothing about the antagonist. He might be straight, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, asexual . . . we do not know, and we have little reason to assume one way or the other. Personally, when I saw that picture, the last thing that came to mind was his sexuality. In my mind, it's rather odd to worry based on so very little that a bad guy may be gay. Is that constantly a worry in some people's minds? "Oh my god, what if so-and-so is gay? I mean, he's wearing purple and has a bleached hairdo!" Come the fuck on. And why is it that homosexuality is apparently only allowed to be represented in such a narrow spectrum of characterization, such that it is oh so worrisome to ponder an antagonist being homosexual? I would think we've reached a point where heroes, antiheroes, and villains alike can all be a wide range of sexualities.

And I love the term dropping. Nah, actually, it gets rather tiresome. So many people thrive on this politically correct framework that's built on simply expanding your vocabulary in relation to race, sex, and identity. Colonization? Obviously the artwork invokes colonization, yes. Simply because "colonization" has become a buzzword, however, doesn't mean that merely uttering the word says everything that could possibly be said. White savior role? Yes, I look at that picture and I see a white man saving a non-white man.

The problem with the previously mentioned framework is that it is a poor substitute for actual open-mindedness. It tends to result in the same exact reaction to things X, Y, and Z again and again, regardless of how different the situations are. Open-mindedness tends to also mean a willingness to be uncomfortable on occasion, and a willingness to actually understand something. "Oh, this picture makes me slightly uncomfortable. COLONIZATION WHITE SAVIOR ROLE WHITE SUPREMACY HETERONORMALISM" I'm always happy to see someone who's taken the time to educate themselves on these subjects, but it's a shame so many seem to do so for the purpose of equipping themselves for constant indignancy.

 

[Thorgi]

Jesus Christ.

We know next to nothing about the antagonist. He might be straight, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, asexual . . . we do not know, and we have little reason to assume one way or the other. Personally, when I saw that picture, the last thing that came to mind was his sexuality. In my mind, it's rather odd to worry based on so very little that a bad guy may be gay. Is that constantly a worry in some people's minds? "Oh my god, what if so-and-so is gay? I mean, he's wearing purple and has a bleached hairdo!" Come the fuck on. And why is it that homosexuality is apparently only allowed to be represented in such a narrow spectrum of characterization, such that it is oh so worrisome to ponder an antagonist being homosexual? I would think we've reached a point where heroes, antiheroes, and villains alike can all be a wide range of sexualities.

And I love the term dropping. Nah, actually, it gets rather tiresome. So many people thrive on this politically correct framework that's built on simply expanding your vocabulary in relation to race, sex, and identity. Colonization? Obviously the artwork invokes colonization, yes. Simply because "colonization" has become a buzzword, however, doesn't mean that merely uttering the word says everything that could possibly be said. White savior role? Yes, I look at that picture and I see a white man saving a non-white man.

The problem with the previously mentioned framework is that it is a poor substitute for actual open-mindedness. It tends to result in the same exact reaction to things X, Y, and Z again and again, regardless of how different the situations are. Open-mindedness tends to also mean a willingness to be uncomfortable on occasion, and a willingness to actually understand something. "Oh, this picture makes me slightly uncomfortable. COLONIZATION WHITE SAVIOR ROLE WHITE SUPREMACY HETERONORMALISM" I'm always happy to see someone who's taken the time to educate themselves on these subjects, but it's a shame so many seem to do so for the purpose of equipping themselves for constant indignancy.

People are mostly jumping to the conclusion that Far Cry 4 will be racist because Far Cry 3 was pretty fucking racist.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Methinks the people pouring in screaming that "sensitive people are looking to be offended" are the actual sensitive people, eager for a chance to be offended and decry "PC bullshit." It's always the same; one or two people express annoyance or critique the gamer's golden calf, and a horde rushes in, eager to defend the latest commercial product at the expense of real humans.

Well, methinks its possible there's slightly more nuance to it than that.

 

[D23]

I have no words. .

So stupid... Come on its just a box arts

 

[Tnecniv]

Agree with those who think that OP, and others like him, are being over-analytical.

It just reminds me of Chris Cooper w/funny haircut.

 

[Braag]

For a second I thought that was some very well done parody.
I liked FC3 a lot so I'm intrigued by this.

 

[Mugatu]

I don't see the racism - I assumed the guy kneeling was white as well - either way I don't care. Whatever he is, to describe a racist situation isn't racism so it;s way too premature and very irresponsible to say so.

As for a gay lead - I think that would be great. But to go from one second complaining that "we'll never get a gay lead" to potentially getting one and immediately complaining that it's "not right" (as in not the exact way that particular person would do it) strikes me as silly.

In shot, this is why we can't have nice things.

My personal thought was that the cover looks stupid - not racist or gay or homophobic - just cliched and it really makes me think they had no idea why Far Cry 3 succeeded and therefore Far Cry 4 will likely suck.

 

[Masquerader]

There is one question I have about the antagonist, if I may~

What's his fucking name!?

 

[njean777]

Offense taken.

Sorry , didn't mean to. Just what I observed from the photo.

 

[benjammin]

We've finally come full circle as a society. We are now so over the top politically correct that even the BAD GUYS in games have to be kind and gentle to everyone.

News flash TS: he's the BAD guy. The BAD guy is typically a BAD person. Why wouldn't they make the antagonist of a game an oppressive racist who puts his own values above everyone else's? Seems like that would give the player a pretty solid reason for wanting to defeat him.This is so over the top, even for the hyperbolic nature of Gaf, that it's hard to imagine that someone could get so upset over something so ridiculously dumb. And all of this from someone who automatically assumes that the bad guy is gay because he's wearing purple and has his hair styled. And yet we're the disgusting ones with miserable lives.

I look forward to your next eye opening thread about how Link is a racist in Ocarina of Time for killing a dark skinned man from the desert. Or how Mario is a genocidal maniac for systematically exterminating hundreds of unarmed turtles across the Mushroom Kingdom.

Enough terrible stuff happens in the world everyday without trying to stir up ridiculous controversy where none exists. Focus on the real problems instead of making mountains out of mole hills.

And if this is an elaborate troll post, then well done sir. Well done.

 

[Daemul]

People just think he's white because they seem never seen an Asian bleach their hair before.

You would think that with the Japan obsession many people have on GAF, that wouldn't be the case.

 

[rdrr gnr]

Methinks the people pouring in screaming that "sensitive people are looking to be offended" are the actual sensitive people, eager for a chance to be offended and decry "PC bullshit." It's always the same; one or two people express annoyance or critique the gamer's golden calf, and a horde rushes in, eager to defend the latest commercial product at the expense of real humans.

Especially since this is happening now: https://twitter.com/Bruisermobile/status/467053455069442048

How brave of you. Link to that twitter post but ignore the 11 pages of actual posts with substance. "Methinks" that it's a lot easier to believe that type of person is the one you are arguing with rather than someone a bit more levelheaded. It's not surprising, really.

Sorry , didn't mean to. Just what I observed from the photo.

I didn't think either of the characters were white.

 

[Fallout-with-swords]

Yikes, bit of an overreaction. I don't even think the main guy looks white.

 

[scoobidoo112]

We've finally come full circle as a society. We are now so over the top politically correct that even the BAD GUYS in games have to be kind and gentle to everyone.

A guy on an internet forum != society.

 

[Impeccable]

A serious question I've been thinking about recently in light off this stuff, and please don't take any of this the wrong way. (I normally don't touch subjects like this because people take things the wrong way.)

If a 'AAA' game were to have a gay protagonist in a major title release but only eluded to their sexuality in brief moments such as a passing moment of a photograph or lightly dropping into dialogue, would that appease people who are interested in a main gay lead enough or would that also be considered patronizing because it's almost "hidden" and not in the spotlight?

Obviously making a gay main character all dressed in pink and "stereotypically" gay is offensive and just a sign of immaturity in the writing community for video games but what level of... for lack of a better word, "gay" does a major lead need to be to be satisfactory?

Thanks!

 

[Xaero Gravity]

There is one question I have about the antagonist, if I may~

What's his fucking name!?

Who cares!? He might be a homosexual racist and that's all that matters. :O

 

[KillerIsJed]

My question to you would be, had this character's suit been, say, black and with a tie, would you have mentioned anything?

My bet is no. This whole thing, ironically, paints an interesting picture about your preconceived notions, as a bisexual.

Purple is a color often associated with gay people by choice, at least recently. Though I'd say this is pinkish purple, and pink is considered by many to be an effeminate color. Limp wrists is a stereotype of gays, as is being fashionable. So when you combine all those in one image, I think it is pretty clear why I'd feel like they could be playing off this stereotype.

People are entitled to their opinions and can certainly disagree with me. All I did was voice my concern about what was given to me and my initial feelings.

 

[Rafterman]

People are mostly jumping to the conclusion that Far Cry 4 will be racist because Far Cry 3 was pretty fucking racist.

Or more like it fills a box on their outrage bingo.

 

[molnizzle]

Methinks the people pouring in screaming that "sensitive people are looking to be offended" are the actual sensitive people, eager for a chance to be offended and decry "PC bullshit." It's always the same; one or two people express annoyance or critique the gamer's golden calf, and a horde rushes in, eager to defend the latest commercial product at the expense of real humans.

Especially since this is happening now: https://twitter.com/Bruisermobile/status/467053455069442048

Nah, we just like to play games with new and interesting characters. All of this sensitivity bullshit only encourages devs to play it safe for fear of backlash. Because it's not enough to do a gay character, you have to do a gay character "right." Whatever that means.

How about we let fictional characters be whatever the fuck the designers want them to be? There's no "right" way for real humans to portray themselves. Why do fictional characters have to be different?

Stop being offended by everything, it's unbecoming.

 

[CaptNink]

People are mostly jumping to the conclusion that Far Cry 4 will be racist because Far Cry 3 was pretty fucking racist.

Never finished the game. HOW exactly was it "racist"?

 

[TheBaronOfNA]

People are mostly jumping to the conclusion that Far Cry 4 will be racist because Far Cry 3 was pretty fucking racist.

And some people pointed out that Ubisoft doesn't actually have a ProIntolerance agenda and is too son to start crying rivers about a promotional image.

 

[Occam]

This whole PC-BS and constant artificial outrage is so annoying. Eventually we'll end up in a dull, grey, euphemism-soaked world with scissors in our heads. Thanks but no thanks.

 

[benny_a]

How brave of you. Link to that twitter post but ignore the 11 pages of actual posts with substance. "Methinks" that it's a lot easier to believe that type of person is the one you are arguing with rather than someone a bit more levelheaded. It's not surprising, really.

That's the MO.

See the OP's quote:

Edit: Those of you that are personally attacking people that I've quoted here are disgusting. You really think being racist and homophobic towards someone makes them less sensitive to these issues? It must be a miserable life spending all your time hating people online.

Of course he isn't quoting those people, because if you attack someone on GAF like that which he alleges then you get perma-banned. Always keep it broad or refer to what random accounts on other services do. Way less accountability.

 

[Team Klimt]

Yikes, bit of an overreaction. I don't even think the main guy looks white.

You mean the white blonde guy? Sure...

 

[Demon Ice]

Wow. Didn't pick up on any of that at all. I couldn't even tell the race of the "native" guy.

Then again, gaming is pretty much my escape from all the political bullshit and faux-moral outrage peacocking of the world, so I usually don't find things in games offensive.

 

[And_Gignac]

Being flamboyant is not the same as being gay, or perceived as such. Plenty of villains are flamboyant while being openly displayed as heterosexual.

You are grasping at your own prejudices OP.

 

[EMT0]

We've finally come full circle as a society. We are now so over the top politically correct that even the BAD GUYS in games have to be kind and gentle to everyone.

News flash TS: he's the BAD guy. The BAD guy is typically a BAD person. Why wouldn't they make the antagonist of a game an oppressive racist who puts his own values above everyone else's? Seems like that would give the player a pretty solid reason for wanting to defeat him.

Bingo. According to the rumors, it takes place in the Himalayas. Now is it me or is the blond guy an Asian who died his hair, forcing another Asian to hold the grenade in his hand. Such racism. I'm not jumping to conclusions, but OP, you seem to be itching for a call to arms prematurely, and even when there's no reason to. Even IF that guy was white and gay and everything you said in the OP was true, he's a bad guy. Bad guys are generally supposed to be...bad. Having a gay villain is better than not having anybody be gay at all, if representation is your issue.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Purple is a color often associated with gay people by choice, at least recently. Though I'd say this is pinkish purple, and pink is considered by many to be an effeminate color. Limp wrists is a stereotype of gays, as is being fashionable. So when you combine all those in one image, I think it is pretty clear why I'd feel like they could be playing off this stereotype.

People are entitled to their opinions and can certainly disagree with me. All I did was voice my concern about what was given to me and my initial feelings.

Purple is also a color of royalty, some guys wear pink because they think it's manly as fuck to wear pink, and I have no idea what you mean by limp wrists.

You're seeing only what you want to see.

 

[Uthred]

So we don't know anything about the context of the art yet?

Seems to me all I know at the moment is that this is another Far Cry, which is all the turn-off I need really

Wake me when Blood Dragon 2 arrives

Well we know that the art led to the OP worrying so much that one of the characters in it might be gay he had to pre-emptively save us from it. Doesnt the OP write for a gaming website? Nice to see the gaming press graduate to targeting future thought crimes.

Limp wrists is a stereotype of gays

Where are the limp wrists in the image?

 

[Mugatu]

Purple is a color often associated with gay people by choice, at least recently.

I have never heard this in my life - I'm sorry but this is just downright silly.

I've always associated it with "pimp" style and with old ladies. Either way, not strongly enough to think that nobody else could wear it.

 

[mnz]

Gotta post this classic, RIP.

 

[Phlebas]

Purple is a color often associated with gay people by choice, at least recently. Though I'd say this is pinkish purple, and pink is considered by many to be an effeminate color. Limp wrists is a stereotype of gays, as is being fashionable. So when you combine all those in one image, I think it is pretty clear why I'd feel like they could be playing off this stereotype.

People are entitled to their opinions and can certainly disagree with me. All I did was voice my concern about what was given to me and my initial feelings.

Well when I see someone dress in purple I don't assume that they must be gay. I don't see how that can be a valid critique.

 

[Xyrmellon]

So he's gay because of a bad haircut and a purple suit??? Huh, first thing I thought of was Euro-trash...

 

[Shosai]

All bad guys must be white heterosexual males, just like real life. Then we'll have no complaints from anyone.

In FC3 the main villains were brown people who were subjugating white tourists and the other brown people. This was considered racist.

I assume Ubisoft changed the villain to a white guy in direct response to such criticism.

 

[njean777]

Gotta post this classic, RIP.

Damn I miss Ryan, loved his burns.

 

[Masquerader]

Who cares!? He might be a homosexual racist and that's all that matters. :O

Oh, of course. We should name characters based on their traits now, yes? So Vaas was just 'Nutter', Hoyt was 'Racist', Buck was 'Homosexual Rapist', so this new antagonist is... Wait, all three? Eheh. How odd~

 

[Zomba13]

Purple is also a color of royalty, some guys wear pink because they think it's manly as fuck to wear pink, and I have no idea what you mean by limp wrists.

You're seeing only what you want to see.

I'm obviously gay due to my like of the colour purple (even though it's regal as fuck) and my wrists being limp and my resting/relaxing pose is 'gay'.

It's ok though, I've had straight people call me gay for that shit before so it doesn't surprise me that a gay or bisexual person would do the same shit.

 

[Paganmoon]

Haha, geez, the second I saw the FC4 pictures, my mind went "wonder how long it'll take until someone calls this racist..." didn't take long.

Seriously, this hunt to find every little thing offensive and racist is making having a real conversation about racism harder and harder every day.

 

[~Kinggi~]

I dont have a problem with this. Its different, different is good. It's like, the white knights around here have never seen a controversial film or something. I say it's about time games stop being so PC and get awesome.

 

[Markitron]

So he's gay because of a bad haircut and a purple suit??? Huh, first thing I thought of was Euro-trash...

As a European I find that offensive. Someone tell Kotaku

 

[Gestault]

I have never heard this in my life - I'm sorry but this is just downright silly.

I've always associated it with "pimp" style and with old ladies. Either way, not strongly enough to think that nobody else could wear it.

Not that I think it necessarily has bearing here, but purple has traditionally been symbolic of homosexuality. One explanation is basically that it's halfway between the traditional color associations of pink and blue.

 

[FloweryMarston]

Gotta post this classic, RIP.

I've discovered the existence of anthony burch and his role today. didn't expect his personality to be like this considering his writing in borderlands.

 

[Demon Ice]

I will never understand people that actively look for things to be offended by in video games of all places. Reminds me of the Trophy in GoW Ascension that Sessler was bitching about.

 

[Zomba13]

The thing is, you either have a white cast and "play it safe" and get called out for not including gays or people of colour or you have people of colour and/or gays and get accused of adding them as "token" characters or stereotypes but when you pull it off well (Infamous Second Son) no one gives a fuck and doesn't applaud them for it.

 

[RedSwirl]

Like I said in the other thread, I really hope the protagonist of FC4 is a Gurkha.

 

[Hagi]

Methinks the people pouring in screaming that "sensitive people are looking to be offended" are the actual sensitive people, eager for a chance to be offended and decry "PC bullshit." It's always the same; one or two people express annoyance or critique the gamer's golden calf, and a horde rushes in, eager to defend the latest commercial product at the expense of real humans.

Especially since this is happening now: https://twitter.com/Bruisermobile/status/467053455069442048

For a second I thought that was some very well done parody.
I liked FC3 a lot so I'm intrigued by this.

To borrow someones avatar

This thread is silly wearing purple doesn't make you gay maybe the blonde dude just likes Eddie Murphy's stand up

 

[Braag]

So he's gay because of a bad haircut and a purple suit??? Huh, first thing I thought of was Euro-trash...

And fashionable.

If you're a fashionable chap then I got some news for you...

To borrow someones avatar

This thread is silly wearing purple doesn't make you gay maybe the blonde dude just likes Eddie Murphy's stand up

My reactions came more from the "loudness" of the picture with crazy colors and all rather than the guys in it.

The whole "it's racist" thing is pretty silly to me. Then again so was the RE5 scandal when everyone was saying that game was racist.