Broad effect fans were looking forward to the new Sumeru region from the day it was first celebrated start trailers In 2020. But since it’s new Sumerian characters leaked to the internet yesterdayFans have expressed concern that the developers have been bleaching characters.
The community widely agrees that Sumer is primarily based on the cultures of Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA). The Sumerian character in the starter trailer had an Egyptian-like jackal head and appeared in many NPCs in the region. Arabic or Sanskrit names. Before new characters leak into the internet, Genshin Fans were worried about how the Shanghai-based studio would deal with the presence of SWANA characters in the game. GenshinAll Sumeru NPCs are equally light, especially light-skinned and the game, except for only two of the cast. So while the leaks aren’t necessarily the final design, fans aren’t optimistic about the possibility of getting darker characters to help make the list’s character more representative of Southwest Asia and North Africa.
This is not the first time the studio has faced criticism over representation. The last basic example It happened in April last yearWhen fans discover a video Genshin The compilers refer to local dances for the enemies of the animal Hilichurl. Fans were also concerned about the portrayal of the playful knight Kaeya as “exotic,” a term that many people of color excluded from humanity (this was later). Removed from the English localization). This is what worries people about the recent leaks Genshin Based on HoYoverse’s comment on SWANA people, it will get content all year round. If the developers do not accept critical feedback, then the whole year is worth it Genshin the content will be potentially compromised by the wrong move, which is an unpleasant prospect for SWANA legacy players.
As a result of these leaks, fans who want darker skinned characters are already moving away from the fandom. Some were exposed racist commentsand others had to justify why a character named “Kusanali” should not Looks like a fairy from Mondstadt. When Sumer receives live updates in the next big patch series, it’s an ugly situation that will most likely continue. The Genshin community can be racist even true exact Chinese representative. Any significant errors in how the SWANA symbols are represented will be reinforced by the racist sentiments that already exist in the fandom.
Some fans wanted to be represented by the SWANA region, however there were doubts About how Sumeru concentrated many cultural influences on a composite city state. This creative decision was especially unique, because the previous regions were based on single countries: Germany, China and Japan.
Community geniuses believe that Sumer is not based on any modern people, but is potentially ancient Zoroastrian civilizations -nin The first Persian Empire, covered the territories of many modern countries. It is likely that Sumeru itself is named after the Mesopotamian civilization Sumer. Thus, it is quite possible that Sumeru was well-researched and respected in terms of his gnosis. However, fans still say that HoYoverse has been alienated because it does not want to include darker people in playable characters. Especially if the company will earn up to SWANA symbols.
Broad effect It is a work of art, but he made great efforts to connect Teyvat’s fictional world with real-life history and culture. If HoYoverse attached much importance to the historical accuracy of Sumer As is clear for Inazuma, then he must release characters that can be played darker than white or beige. And like some cheerleaders notedrecently released action-RPG Dislyte Although produced by a Chinese company, the cast includes darker characters.
Frankly, I’m not impressed by the argument that Chinese designers don’t know about racism or don’t understand the importance of accurate and respectable representation. The developers clearly knew their global audience Yun may react badly to Jin’s statement when they are made a video defending its traditional Chinese opera design. I had a wonderful, confirming experience playing Yun Yun in search. I just want my SWANA friends to experience the same thing I did.
