Don't read if you don't like extreme political discussion!
When I first saw the trailers for this game, I was filled with a bit of dread. I'm a far-Right Appalachian and a jack-Mormon, and my first thought was, "****ing hell, they're making another game that's demonizing my culture." After seeing some more trailers, though, I feel reassured that the game will be respectful in its treatment of rural American culture.
That said, I thought it would be good to start a (sane, polite) discussion of this little controversy here.
See, I think a lot of "outsiders" (which I guess here means Left-wingers, urbanites, non-white folks, non-Christians) don't really get why folks like myself got upset, and are worried. From our perspective, the media has a tendency to portray us as being villainous, untrustworthy, while also promoting other cultures as more virtuous. Essentially, they do the same thing that you accuse us of doing to you.
Now, who does this more? Does the media demonize the Left, non-Christian religions, other races, and foreigners more, or does it demonize the Right, Christians, Whites, and Americans more? I can't prove my position, but I would argue that in the present day, the balance is more towards the latter. Developers shoe-horn diversity into games where it doesn't make sense, like Battlefield 1 with it's Black Scouts (and, for the Russians, women!). Villains tend to be White, and while heroes also tend to be White, they'll likely be allied with token minorities.
Of course, you may disagree. My point isn't to try to convince you, just to explain my position.
So, as a rural, Right-wing American Christian, my BS alarm starts going off as I see another game being made that (intentionally or not) may promote a negative and untrue depiction of my culture. Especially at a time when most of the violence in the world is being caused by other groups (Muslims in the Middle East and Europe, Blacks and Leftists rioting in the US). I think, "Why can't they make a game based on an area with actual problems." Why not have a Middle Eastern Far Cry set in a place based off Afghanistan, or maybe one that's like Ukraine.
I don't really know how to conclude... those are just my thoughts on it. I like that one of the main allies is going to be a mainstream Christian preacher. I like that you're tasked with helping the locals fight off the cult, rather than the locals being the issue themselves. I don't think the game's going to be a problem. But that's the sort of feelings I, and a lot of other people, had when all we had to go off of was the rumors. I think that's why so many people reacted angrily.
That's a very lazy and childish attitude.Originally Posted by mistados Go to original post
No, it's common sense. It's a fictional video game! LOLOriginally Posted by TexasCaesar Go to original post
Ha! Here's another perspective for you - that of an international Outsider from The Netherlands, who has no clue who you are, nor your cultures!
I've never been to America, and my whole image of it is based on whatever I am fed by media. And the only context I may have, is you using the word 'rural'. I assume there are stereotypical cultural similarities between rural US and NL: easy-going people, no fuss, speech accents, fires, fireworks, good food and alcohol. And there's probably more focus on guns in rural America, we don't have those here.
Simply put, I see 2 factions in the game: the locals, and the cultists. Culture-wise, the latter differs by fanaticism and violence (their actions). Part of the residents are Christians too, so religion-wise they may overlap with the cultists.
You mention "demonization" of "your culture" by the media. Can you be a bit more specific?
First off, thankyou for starting this thread in a respecful manner unlike some others in this forum.Originally Posted by TexasCaesar Go to original post
What game are you talking about there?
As for your question: They could. But that would be doing exactly what you and certain other people are complaining about. Do you want Ubisoft to direct all our attention to what's going on in the Middle East, all the terror attacks in Europe? If they did only then could you accuse them of having a political agenda or showing disrespect to a certain religion since it's not a game directly based on war (Battlefield, COD etc). But even then your claims would be based on a 'fictional' work, as games are always fictional. Far Cry games have always been set in fictional areas of real world locations, and the enemy type/ identity has always been based on each given area. Since they usually allow you to make your own choices, they can never be a true depiction of what is in real life no matter how closely it resemembles it. That's how you need to try to underdstand it, even if in this case that games story/ setting somewhat revolves around something important or close to you to you. That's why games always have the disclaimer at the beginning.
Just a question did you play any of the other Far Cry games?
Please read the forum rules they state not to post Religious or Political views, you state at the start of your post not to read if you don't like extreme political discussions - Sorry but this is not the place for that it should be taken elsewhere.Originally Posted by TexasCaesar Go to original post
Didn't even know that, though i'd say it's for the best, most people don't know how to respond or even start this types of conversations without it getting out of handOriginally Posted by Anorexic_Buddah Go to original post
To the OP... there is no controversy here, but there is a perceived controversy which I hope you have overcome...
In the world there are only 2 kinds of people Good people and Bad people.... it is very possible for them to exist in every religion, nationality and country in the world. (good and bad) just because bad people may have some similar political or religious or patriotic views as ourselves it does not mean we have to defend them. If someone is in an evil cult and they are murderers and think they can hide behind a fake religious identity, they are wrong regardless of people wanting to defend them because they are in the same, country/ state/ religion or ethnicity.
This is just a game. there is no controversy about any religion, the game is about murderers who pretend to be a religious group.
Do you think we should forgive any murderers who kill peoples sons, daughters, brothers, sister etc... if they say they are a devout christian and god told them to do it? If not then you understand the concept of the game. This is just about good versus evil..... only the evil people need to be offended.
Unfortunately even though it is 2017 and the world is open to global communication and integration... there still exists the 2 worst problems that should have been gone by now... ignorance and intolerance and those 2 things keep hatred alive. That saddens me... especially when people can get upset by not just a video game, but by misinterpreting a video game.
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