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[finalflame]

I'd prefer a new black protagonist in the Metroid universe and not to reinvent characters that already have a set appearance, but if they made a Metroid with a black Samus I'd be cool with that too.

 

[PtM]

As long as Samus has full on armor and the game is good she could be a man for all i care

Real talk right here. It shouldn't really matter what's beneath the suit, for a good Metroid game. I'm outta here.

 

[Bloodporne]

By the way, anyone who hasn't should definitely play AM2R.

Best Metroid game in ages and probably for quite some time to come seeing how Nintendon't is tone-deaf enough to release something like Federation Force.

 

[Zen_Arcade]

You keep trying to gloss over the targeting by men's rights activists. Trying to wave a way the hate movement that went after that movie is doing your argument a disservice. Not to mention the movie scored average on rotten tomatoes, unless you're one of those who thinks the reviewers were pressured into good reviews, even though said good reviews would only garner attacks by those same people. The status quo would rather let something fail than allow change that doesn't pander to their interests. It's why folks can't even let people call inklings black, without getting all concerned about other ethnic groups being left out, all in an attempt to pit us against our own.

I'm not glossing over anything. You're lumping everyone into that group and discounting all of the criticism not colored by that mindset. That's exactly why I included the part about people who didn't have pre concieved notions still not thinking it's a good movie. Even without those MRA assholes, plenty of people had no interest in a rebooted Ghostbusters movie. Me, and many other people included. Saying it wasn't a product people wanted is in no way "Bullshit".

Also, reviewers aren't the end all be all, especially when it comes to comedies. There have been plenty of times where I've seen trailers, thought the movie looked bad, heard good reviews, and went out to see it just to have my suspicions from the trailer confirmed.

If you seriously think that movie failed solely because of some MRA assholes on the internet, you're completely delusional. The majority of people just didn't give a shit or didn't think it looked good.

 

[Alex Stroud]

Give me my Nepalese Samus first and then we can talk.

 

[The Horror the horror]

I don't really have much attachment to characters in games. If a team decides to go a different direction with a character's cosmetics, it doesn't matter to me. If the game is good, I'm happy.

Quite a few people do and some feel they're the character themselves, but unfortunately a lot of gamers don't want to don Black skin unless the title of the game reads Grand Theft Auto.

 

[Saucestin_Roast]

Why not just make a new character at that point? Would be so down for a new IP with a black woman bad ass bounty hunter!

 

[Pizza]

I was like "meh" until you mentioned she'd never be referred to as Samus.

I'd be cool with "lol here's your new protagonist!" But many fans of the series would be furious after federation force, so I think now isn't the time to do it

Also people want a metroid game sooooo badly that if it was SICK and then it's revealed that this badass female protagonist isn't actually Samus it'd be... dumb. If people got so up in arms about cold donkey kong than I'd hate to see the meltdowns here.

I'd be way happier if Nintendo made a new female black protagonist for a new game!

 

[AcademicSaucer]

Werent some of the soldiers in Federation Force black?

 

[Ushojax]

Samus' ethnicity has never mattered, so there would be no reason to care.

It wouldn't happen though because Nintendo never refresh characters in that way.

 

[autoduelist]

Why are you waiting aka why does someone owe you an explanation? What you're saying isn't irrefutable fact, you simply seem to come from the stance that her character's design should be completely irrelevant to long time fans of the series. This is not how fandom works and you know that, you post on NeoGAF for crying out loud.

There are 30 years worth of magazine articles, instruction manuals, in-game cutscenes, figurines, cameos and who knows what other media out there establishing her as looking like she does, I don't know why you think that's irrelevant to long time fans of a series, whether it'd be Metroid or anything else. Fans don't like change in ANY fashion, it's as simple as that.

Pretty much this. Part of the reason we are fans of a character is that we often identify with them in some way, shape, or form. So it's not surprising people get upset when the character is changed in any way, shape, or form --- to long time fans, it's a direct attack on what they identified with in the first place. It can be gender. It can be ethnicity. It can be general attitude... turn Peter Parker into a jock in high school without his trademark sense of humor, and people would lose their shit.

This discussion always feels like a one sided street. I absolutely understand why those who feel (and are) underrepresented in media want more characters that they can easily identify with. Sure. But by that same token of 'identification', why is it hard for some to understand that some will object to something they previously identified with being changed? It seems silly to, on one hand, promote the importance of being able to identify with like characters, and then, on the other hand, refuse to understand why people who already identify with a fan favorite don't want to see that changed. It can't be both ways -- either a sense of identification is important, or it isn't. And if it is, then people should already understand why people get upset when something is changed. Especially when the easy solution, across the board, is to just create -new- characters rather than change old ones.

 

[Psyfer]

I feel like NeoGaf already had this discussion with "Why can't Link be a girl?"

A lot of people don't care, some people would love it, some people see it as an unnecessary change.

 

[poodaddy]

I'd be cool with it; wouldn't really care at all matter of fact. Seems an odd question though....but yeah that'd be cool.

 

[HStallion]

I just don't really think anything much was lost or changed changing a character like Samus from white to black because she's barely a character to begin with. She's a backstory with distinctive and iconic armor that is about exploring large sprawling and mysterious interconnected alien worlds. I feel people would have a better argument in defending a drastic change to her armor design than her skin color.

 

[Budi]

Not sure if this question is exactly aimed at me, since I really haven't properly played Metroid games after Super Metroid.

I think I would chuckle, because of the upcoming meltdowns. But I also would question if the change was necessary. It's true that they hardly have been all faithul to their original creation. But changing the gender or race of already established character seems bit odd to me, even though I'm not vehemently against such things. If the character was something dear to me personally and had more persona, background etc. than Samus seems to have I would be more "upset". I'd rather have all new character who would be of minority, that I would fully support.

 

[JB-the-Hunter]

I'd hate it, and I'm a black man myself.

If they changed her to black in Zero Mission and beyond, I'd be cool with it, because that's when Samus first started to develop a prominent look sans power suit. It's too late now. I'd rather Nintendo just create new IPs that have black/dark skinned characters in the main role.

 

[Maedhros]

Quite a few people do and some feel they're the character themselves, but unfortunately a lot of gamers don't want to don Black skin unless the title of the game reads Grand Theft Auto.

Or they don't want to see characters they grew with have a sking change for no reason, because they're attached, as you said.

Most people wouldn't be against diversity if the option was to add a black character in old/new franchise.

It's the same reasoning for gender swapped characters.

 

[what-ok]

Whoops. Tried to edit link to gif and failed. Anyway, a new metroid would be nice.

 

[InterMusketeer]

I just don't really think anything much was lost or changed changing a character like Samus from white to black because she's barely a character to begin with.

Then not much would be gained either from changing her skin tone.

 

[Linkstrikesback]

Werent some of the soldiers in Federation Force black?

Yes. And in other M, the only character who wasn't a complete fuckup was black too, for what it's worth not being a fuckup in other M.

 

[perfectchaos007]

If they made her black from the get-go thats great, but no need to change the color of a character for the sake of diversity. Just create new diverse characters from the ground up instead imo

 

[digoutyoursoul]

Wouldn't bother me at all, I don't see what is wrong with the character as it is already though?

 

[Clefargle]

Don't care

Sure

 

[Randam]

The same way as when they made her a guy.

I really don't like it when they change characters.

 

[JeremyEtcetera]

I feel like there is a deeper meaning to OPs statement, like how people seem to be ignoring all of the Metroid-like Indie games out there because the protagonist and art looks different, even though the soul of Metroid is there. If that's the case then it would make for a good argument of why Metroid-like games can't seem to be good enough for the Metroid audience.

If I'm wrong then I'd rather make this kind of reach with OPs question because the original statement about Samus' ethnicity is about as meaningful as changing the color of her beam cannon from green/gray to blue. I'm sure most people here just want a new game in general, that reflects the old ones, and don't care about things like this.

 

[Xiao Hu]

I don't know how feasible it is since Samus appearance are pretty much established despite Metroid's shitty lore/canon situations. They could do something like that with a reboot of the series but then Gamers Gators will spill their venom again. I'm all for a diverse representation of people in games so perhaps a whole new series with a black female bad ass protagonist would be better. Perhaps a FPS set in the Metroid universe, anyone?

 

[Persona7]

That would be strange and confusing for an established character. Just make a new playable character.

 

[Kneefoil]

I just don't really think anything much was lost or changed changing a character like Samus from white to black because she's barely a character to begin with. She's a backstory with distinctive and iconic armor that is about exploring large sprawling and mysterious interconnected alien worlds. I feel people would have a better argument in defending a drastic change to her armor design than her skin color.

I feel like you're trying to think too logically about something that is mostly emotional. People don't tend to like it when something they like is being replaced by something else. Doesn't matter much what that something is.

And Samus already had quite a drastic armor redesign in Metroid Fusion. I was a bit young to remember what the general opinion about it was, though. I remember personally disliking the change though.

 

[The Horror the horror]

Why are you waiting aka why does someone owe you an explanation? What you're saying isn't irrefutable fact, you simply seem to come from the stance that her character's design should be completely irrelevant to long time fans of the series. This is not how fandom works and you know that, you post on NeoGAF for crying out loud.

There are 30 years worth of magazine articles, instruction manuals, in-game cutscenes, figurines, cameos and who knows what other media out there establishing her as looking like she does, I don't know why you think that's irrelevant to long time fans of a series, whether it'd be Metroid or anything else. Fans don't like change in ANY fashion, it's as simple as that.

Tell me Samus has looked the same for those 30 years. She's undergone cosmetic changes, from eyes to face to hair. Metroid Prime 1 Samus looks nothing like Metroid Prime 3 Samus or Zero Suit Smash Samus outside of base complexion. Oh, wait, nevermind...her hair's gotten blonder, more straight; eyes turned more sparkling blue like a Zora fountain.

You're right, fans don't like changes....going the other way.

 

[Htown]

I don't trust Nintendo with any depiction of any version of Samus at this point.

 

[mindatlarge]

Quite a few people do and some feel they're the character themselves, but unfortunately a lot of gamers don't want to don Black skin unless the title of the game reads Grand Theft Auto.

Yeah, I totally get the first mindset you mentioned as people can become attached to a character in many ways...including how they look. Causing at times, an initial public out lash even when a change in art direction takes place, take Wind Waker for example. But like you, I don't get the latter mindset you mentioned. It's quite foolish to me.

 

[RoboGeorgeForeman]

I'd rather Nintendo create/use another character, instead of just changing an existing one's race/gender, but it's not like I'd complain as long as they gameplay remains the same and Samus isn't any worse than she was in Other M.

 

[Camel Master]

It would definitely be a step forward. Nintendo is seriously in dire need of diversity. Expecting resistance from the usual suspects but evolving times always get resistance.

Also anything that pisses off alt-right is good in my books.

 

[TissueBox]

Surprised, skeptical, then pessimistic. Then I'll either get used to it or Nintendo knocks it out of the park, and it's an example of another bold move for the Metroid series. Regardless, it also kinda hinges on how well they can direct the series going forward.

 

[ryechu]

I would be against it. Makes about as much sense as making Mario east-asian all of a sudden. Just make another bounty hunter that is black.

 

[Bloodporne]

Tell me Samus has looked the same for those 30 years. She's undergone cosmetic changes, from eyes to face to hair. Metroid Prime 1 Samus looks nothing like Metroid Prime 3 Samus or Zero Suit Smash Samus outside of base complexion. Oh, wait, nevermind...her hair's gotten blonder, more straight; eyes turned more sparkling blue like a Zora fountain.

God forbid changes go the other way.

She hasn't, but she's always been an obvious iteration of the same concept, like you even just reiterated. And people bitched every time one of those changes came around as well.

Sorry, I disagree with you and others who would attribute a backlash to crypto-racism. No doubt there'd be a segment of people whose motivation would be clear cut racist motives, but I simply don't believe that it'd be a large portion.

 

[Spinosaurus]

Would be hell of a lot better than the current design.

 

[Kyzer]

the world needs more black and female heroes so sure

 

[The Horror the horror]

She hasn't, but she's always been an obvious iteration of the same concept, like you even just reiterated. And people bitched every time one of those changes came around as well.

Oh yeah?

Link me to the last 700+ reply outrage thread from Samus's last "change."

 

[Roufianos]

Well I have no investment in Samus so I wouldn't care. If a character that I did care about got a race change then I would be pissed because it's not true to the character, as was the case with DmC's Dante.

I don't see why them being black is meant to be an issue. I'd be just as annoyed at a white Augustus Cole as I would a black Roy Campbell.

Instead of tampering with people's expectations of an established character I'd much prefer devs to create a new one.

 

[Kinyou]

If she's a new character, sure why not.

If she's literally the new Samus I think it would be bad idea as she'd never stand on her own and always exist in the shadow of the "real" Samus.

 

[Bloodporne]

Oh yeah?

Link me to the last 700+ reply outrage thread from Samus's last "change."

Oh yeah? Yes, that's my opinion. Link me to the 700+ reply outrage thread over Samus' blackness.

 

[The Flash]

I wouldn't care just like how I don't care about Metroid in general.

 

[LordKasual]

Don't the "reward" pics at the of the earlier metroid games sorta contradict this? I mean samus's design just plain hasn't been consistent across games until after Zero mission largely.

Everyone knows what Samus Aran looks like, all of those designs have multiple key identifying features in common. Her skin color is one of them. It's silly to me that some people think a pandering recolor on an already established icon would count as good representation.

Like....why? Why be upsetting just for the shit of it, when you can create a completely new character, with a completely new identity, and nobody will have any room to complain? Give her a different suit, a different background? Bounty Hunter, Galactic Federation Soldier/Captain? Some chick who got hold of some good Space Pirate technology? You can even have her interact with Samus herself. Why would you forgo all those possibilities for actual GOOD representation, just for some cheap controversy?

This is the cheapest, least creative, laziest, whackest way to go about approaching this, and this is from a person of color.

 

[low-G]

I wouldn't care much at all, but if they made Samus a man... Whoo boy.

 

[What did he mean by this?]

I'd prefer a new black protagonist in the Metroid universe and not to reinvent characters that already have a set appearance, but if they made a Metroid with a black Samus I'd be cool with that too.

Did somoeone say new black protagonist?

 

[CertifiedFP]

Don't the "reward" pics at the of the earlier metroid games sorta contradict this? I mean samus's design just plain hasn't been consistent across games until after Zero mission largely.

*Pictures*

Make Samus Middle-Aged Again.

 

[Tom Nook]

Samus is already an established character. She already appeared in numerous games without the armor suit.

I would like to see another main character in the Metroid Universe who is a POC.

 

[NewGame]

Why can't Samus be a man, and wear green armour, and be a chief?

 

[Freshmaker]

Say a future Metroid game is marketed as a reboot, and at the end, Seamus Samus removes her helmet revealing she's a black woman. How would that make you feel?

What if she were a different character with Chico Chozo armor, and never outright named throughout the game?

EDIT: definition added because term is not universally understood the same way

That was Other M tho.

Anthony was the main character.