Horizon: Zero Dawn is one of the most progressive games that we've played in some time. We're not going to fawn over it for that reason alone – it also happens to be a brilliant adventure built around some incredibly compelling fiction – but its representation of genders, sexuality, and race is second to none as far as we're concerned. Not everyone is as impressed, however.
Dia Lacina, a Native American writer, has posted up a Medium blog essentially criticising Guerrilla Games of cultural appropriation. While the article is more aimed at games journalists than the developer itself, it condemns the title for the use of vocabulary like 'braves' and 'savages' – both of which obviously have negative connotations in indigenous culture.
It's prompted narrative director John Gonzales to comment: "The vocabulary was certainly discussed during the creative process, in terms of wanting to make sure we were sensitive to the cultural concerns of our audience. We weren't looking for inspiration from one particular group, and we cast the net widely to look at cultures, tribal cultures, around the world, and also throughout history."
From Guerrilla's perspective, the game's not just drawing on Native American culture, but also Viking lore and Celtic history. In other words, it's an amalgamation of different tribal inspirations, which we reckon is fairly obvious when you play the game. So what of the term 'brave', a word which can be considered a slur in some circles?
"We were trying to find a term that would combine the capabilities of a warrior and the capabilities of a hunter," Gonzales explained. "It was a term that [we felt] was not derogatory, as we came across some terms that were definitely slurs against Native Americans and other groups throughout history. And so, our decision was based on 'brave' not being a 'hot button' term."
In our experience with the game, words like 'savage' are primarily used by unsavoury characters: Guerrilla's trying to paint these people as unpleasant and unreasonable. Should these potentially offensive words be banned – even when the context clearly demonstrates that they're being used for character building? We don't think so.
Look, we fully accept that games need to be respectful, but when developers play it safe we criticise them for a lack of representation, so when they go the extra mile it seems unfair to slam them for cultural appropriation. What do you think? Is Horizon: Zero Dawn disrespectful, or is it just a great piece of fiction lifting inspiration from various different cultures?
[source medium.com, via waypoint.vice.com]
Comments 68
Try to keep your comments level-headed here, please. There's a discussion to be had, but let's not go on the offensive at any party.
The P.C brigade launch a broadside at gaming, there is no island safe from criticism from the permaffended these days, first world problems.
Some people secretly love it when their race/culture accidently get insulted, give's em a chance to climb on their high horse and wave that flag about just incase somebody forget's how hard they had it some 200 or whatever year's ago at the hand's of people that are already dead. Nothing we can do about it now love!! Eveybody that wronged your ancestor's are dead!!!
He's probably annoyed he can't play it on his xbox one!
In all seriousness, it's petty. The terms have been used in tonnes of other games. It's FICTION!
is there nothing people wont poke at now a days for a reaction, it's a game about a world where modern technology is gone and people live like hunters using bow and arrow
maybe the terminology brings up some negative connotations but i'm sure it wasn't done out any kind of malice or on purpose
sometimes i think people react this way just to get noticed and use it as a platform to stand on to spread their message even though that's not what it's for
I get that some people may not be happy about the use of words that have a history of negative use, however it should be understood that not everyone who uses them does so in that same manner. In this case you have to look at the context, which is the developers trying to create an authentic world that portrays a realistic tribal atmosphere.
Another example is that anyone could look at The Witcher series and instantly call it out on its use of racism, but doing so undermines the fact that the portrayed hatred is a vital part of that franchises world.
In an attempt to create a believable world and story, some things need to be included and its unfair for anyone to jump on something without understanding the reasoning behind it.
PC is kinda BS. What I mean is that we must repect others of course, but PC people are taking the limits. This so called journalist wanted a bit of fame and she gain it. She must understand that USA is not the entire world, where GG are based those two words are not offensive, whe has no right to tell other people what worlds they can or can not use.
@Gatatog I completely agree. Like I said in the article, the game does use the word 'savage' in an offensive way, but you're not supposed to agree or side with people who use it. They're there to give the world weight and to show the imperfections of its people.
i might write a scathing letter to Nintendo complaining how their idea that plumbers have to be moustachioed and Italian highly offensive.
We have non moustachioed English plumbers here and we're tired of not being represented!!
@get2sammyb Within the game world it does indeed have context. Guess what people who do these stories and many games journalists lack? They play it briefly and go all assume happy.
I do think however, that is a fault that needs to be overcome in modern gaming. Your story can be amazing and have all these deep themes, but you do need to be incredibly careful about it, and in some cases rightfully so (Modern Warfare 2...) and in others people need to be more understanding.
This is one where I wish they understood context. But I also wish at that point, the developers had made it more clear so people don't possibly get the wrong end of the stick. Thing is, its easy to see something is okay when youre the one doing it not looking in from the outside.
At the end of the day though, its all fiction. Some things will even offend me in a game, because there is, amazingly, a limit, but this isn't one of them.
Funny thing is, the game is already released, so no amount of complaining can change it, especially since the word brave and savage are woven into the game's story and lore. The Nier Automata article about the whole NIN64 thing can be patched out, but this can't.
This reminds of when The Witcher 3 was almost released and everyone was complaining about how characters would use derogative words towards Ciri.
We live in a world were a game based on WW1 or WW2 is completely normal, killing people also isn't a problem. Yet when you use a certain word in a work of fiction, people go bananas. I honestly don't see the problem here. It's fiction, get over it. Don't like it? Don't buy it.
It's not the PC brigade, it's the opinion of one person. There is no pc brigade. More accurately there is an ongoing, diverse and lively debate abut the use of language. As someone qualified in Anthropology and communication systems, I think Guerrilla have done a pretty good job in creating a culturally rich and diverse world with a solid internal logic that holds through the game - with a low threshold for the suspension of disbelief. I've been clicking on all the dialogues btw.
I'll need to read the original article to see if the author has actually played the game and to what extent.
This is just my opinion, but I think people have become super sensitive, searching for any possible slight to take issue with. It's annoying, to say the least.
I've just read the article. It's clearly Native American-centric. Surely 'tribal' goes back to the earliest human groups to walk the Earth - and across the world, not just the USA. Okay, the dress and characters do seem to take a lot from the Native American cultures but bear in mind, groups from all over the world and going back in were using the materials and natural resources to make clothes, ornaments and body colouring. We look at these and, because of the dominant images and representations - out first association is Native Americans. I wonder if perhaps Dia Lacina, understandably made the same mistake.
People once again finding "offence" where there is none, intended or actual.
Maybe the "vocal cord parasites" in Metal Gear Solid V will give people ideas
There's nothing I can really say that hasn't already been said, but it really is amazing how people just look for stuff to complain about these days.
Can't we just enjoy the game?
People that complain about this kind of s--- are actually the racists.
OF COURSE it is guilty of cultural appropriation. It is a poster child for cultural appropriation. A better question is, could they have created a coherent world without it?
Are these idiots actually going to buy this game? Or are they just complaining about something they have no interest in?
There is nothing in this game to be offended by former anyone's perspective, it's a piece of fiction that is actually set in the future and so despite some of the imagery doesn't represent any current nationality. People today just want to be offended by everyone and everything and it's pathetic. Not to mention when were Native Americans the only indigenous people on the planet? Guess what we all were at some point, so no you're not king of the tribes and nobody should be offended by anything 8n the game or anything I've said because we all have more important things to do................. like kill robot dinosaurs 😃😃😃
Man, this person should really have a crack at Mafia 3 if they're offended by works of fiction that use culturally offensive vocabulary.
The attacks from the 'anti-SJWs' or whatever label we want to give the, has actually been worse. Seriously, take a look at the Gamefaqs Horizon board if you want to know what I'm talking about. One day the entire front page was covered with feminist this, encouraging man-hating that. Which forced me to look more critically at Horizon when playing it and I just didn't see this supposed 'agenda' these clowns are saying the devs pushing.
As far as some of the terms used. I do think context is important. Far future game and Brave certainly didn't seem like it was used in a negative way. However, far be it for me to say how a group of people should feel, when they were essentially wiped out, had their own land taken from them and the few who weren't wiped out, were relegated to reservations. We also remember all the cowboys vs. indians shows, where Native Americans were made out to be the bad guy. How dare they want the colonizers, leaving behind disease etc, off their land. Not much room for white people especially to say anything. The unfortunate part is no matter what you create these days, however, it's going to come under fire for something. I don't want to see developers go all PC and start using incredibly generic terms and themes, but maybe they could try to improve on explaining context. I'll just say it's a shame Horizon has garnered more discussion for stuff like this, or the other stuff I mentioned earlier, than the actual game itself. The anti-SJWs have really created a fake controversy around a great game, that's what bothers me the most.
idiots everywhere.
@Comrade44 Nonsense... actually from my point of view is the right word
Social Justice Warriors are going too far right now, almost every subject is taboo everywhere you go... for instance, Emma Watson was criticized because of some sexy pics... Because it takes away her credibility to the feminist cause... REALLY???
We are transforming into a world where being a White, Male, Conservative and heterosexual person is going to be a BAD thing... now we are going to ban words because someone somewhere thought that it MAY be offensive? Food for thought...
I read about this on Reddit and honestly don't understand the reasoning of her article. She doesn't make a clear point of if she is arguing against the game, the gaming community, or those who make light of indigenous people. I was not offended by the game at all or offended by many other games that positions' African-Americans in a bad light because it's a part of the game. HZD in no way expressed a specific community within it. People like this trans native-American just wants to take the spotlight and argue the struggle of a minority group when there is no issue. They obviously didn't play the game.
Kids carrying knives, drugs are everywhere, zero hours contracts and peadophiles being released from prison early.
But wait someone used the word savage? Get your pitchforks lads lets go get them instead.
@BLP_Software Im getting sick of these PC people making problems about fictional things. A game set in the future with robotdinosaurs come on mate. Splats picture says it all.
Not having played the game myself yet, and being a, er, European-descended American, all the imagery I've seen, featuring the protag, is clearly Native American in theme. I'd be legitimately interested if someone could point me to some screenshots showing off the more Celtic or Viking elements.
Also from my perspective, the term "brave" sounds, if not derogatory, at least incredibly stilted. It calls way too much attention to itself. For that reason alone, though I'm not somebody who'd be offended by it, I can't picture myself not cringing at hearing it. I'll be curious to see, someday, if it really is as awkward in use as I imagine.
Fair play to her for finishing the game that quickly..I assume she actually played it??!
If they're offended at the use of 'slurs' in Horizon then they've obviously never played Mafia III...
@Gamer83 I don't look at gamefaqs often, but I did see one such thread months before the game released. It's a shame that everyone thinks that every piece of fiction has to be defined by some sort of agenda or whatever. It's not gonna bother me when I play the game, but I'm tired of seeing articles during every game release about how "X game promotes this" when all it's trying to do is be a good and entertaining video game.
I think some need to see the larger perspective.
Look at Assassins Creed 3 for example, accused of being "anti British" because of the way the it represented the "red coats" and so on.
Completely ignoring the fact that it is fairly historically accurate, the British Empire committed terrible acts to gain land and money.
Whats true and what is, are often vastly different.
Its not painting them in a bad light, they did that themselves.
If you cant point out and use these things in a game to send a particular message or tell a story, then there would be no place for storytelling in our everyday lives.
Sure, it needs to be handled maturely and with dignity but thats exactly the point.
If you are a mature person who understands the context of the writing, which Im assuming Horizon does a good job of doing, then these kinds of things should only enhance the story, not damage it.
Sounds to me like looking for faults where none exist.
If we were to take these things to heart every time wed never see games like Battlefield 1 for example:
I'd be amazed if she has actually played this game!
To be honest I'd be surprised if there was criticism, everyone has a voice now so there is always someone trying to point out the negatives!
The game had a female lead who is beyond badass, you can in no way tie down skin colour in relation to whether someone is good or bad and it's got robot dinosaur/animals!
How can anyone seriously find fault with this game?
@Owenstoodstill nah, because of the way she is prtrayed as a hunter and warrior the only possible answer is she is Native American, theres no way on earth she could be just a made up race thats non descript and does not subscribe to an actual real life indiginous group… /sarcasm
I think it is healthy that people use things like games and media to open debates about topics like language. I personally hadn't thought about the word brave in that context. However it is totally unfair to accuse something out of context, particularly when the game has worked hard to be incredibly inclusive. There are no parallels in the game from what I can see. It shows a real blend of cultures.
the term brave or braves has honor to it and is not derogatory in any way. The word savage or savages is widely used and not linked to any one culture or even species. I can understand these words bringing up sorrow in Native people thinking of the past. But its not a offensive feeling. Its hurt and sadness, just as talking about a lost love one's makes anyone sad. Its good to remember and never a bad thing.
@ everyone.... cultural appropriation doesn't mean derogatory, it means that imagery, or other parts of a culture are taken (appropriated) and used in another context. Think "Washington Redskins" or "Chicago Blackhawks", both of which use native american imagery and well known cultural stereotypes for their own branding.
This game does that in spades. "Brave" may not be an insult but it is borrowed from a different culture not referenced here. Same can be said of the style of dress, the face paint and the beads and the way the hides are worn.
That doesn't mean it is meant as an insult - it is just taken and appropriated at the expense of that culture's identity.
Should people be upset? I don't know. But the cultural appropriation is clear.
My father is of Native American descent and i did not feel offended at all. In fact these points never came into my mind before i read these quotes. I think GG did any incredible job respectfully representing Tribal cultures in a future world with giant robot dinosaurs. I think this is a case of over sensitivity.
I haven't played it yet, but you have and you know your beans.
FFS... This game embraces every race/culture so beautifully.
I'm loving it. They made the darker skinned people so well and good looking in this game. Black people have more than 2 shades too. I see where she's coming from but there's nothing to grasp.
I think this is attention seeking and I think it worked.
So, they read a summary somewhere and decided the game was offensive.
Didn't right wingers do this with Mass Effect?
I once saw a video editorial saying white people weren't allowed to say "aloha", which is like saying only French people can say "viola"(don't know which letter to accent, sry).
My main issue with the game is that all dialogue is big exposition dumps and everything is so ham-fisted.
Aloy: "Who are the blah blah?"
Total stranger: "The blah blah are a group of bluh bluh with a history of meh meh and a supply of blub blub that live near the bleh bleh. They used tho nah nah but then the geh geh started..." 5 min later
Me: SHUT UP!
I'm trans but wasn't any more offended by the prison warden giving her life story of defying gender norms than anything else. It was equally boring and obvious.
Good game. Decent story. Good world. Terribly written dialogue.
Nah, I think the game is racis and sexist while are these europe developer when ot making white male protagonist they make a white female one where is the man of difference color here for example asian male protagonist. So, I think it's safe for me to call on the game being sexist and racist like a certain group of people usually do right?
@JohnKarnes yeah, didn't the chinese used to call people came from the west in general as savages.
I want to say something, but with this kind of bull**** I can't beause piss me off so much and I won't control my vocabulary. Great game, nothing to complain **** this crazy agenda people!
Yeah, I'll shut down a conversation the moment someone uses the "cultural appropriation" card, as it's typically employed in ridiculously benign circumstances and, in many cases, borders on a sort of racism, as far as I am concerned.
The free and peaceful exchange of ideas and customs is one of the ways in which various peoples have historically grown friendlier with one-another. Anyone who seriously has a problem with that isn't a serious human being worth talking to.
Move along, nothing to see here people.
What a load on nonsense...some people will do anything to get their name in the headlines to try to promote their own work.
@JoeBlogs You know its a game set in the future with robot dinosaurs? Its kind of sad that people make a problem of everything. And yes it hurts people who work hard trying to make a living, by branding them racist for no apparant reason. For me these rants make me not care. And when something is really wrong i dont read it anymore which makes them hurt there own cause. Please PC correct people go on hurting youre own cause.
Yawn. Some d bag trying to get free PR on the back of a heavily marketed video game. Go away. I doubt his whiney outburst was entirely 'noble'.
When someone takes a race and places them into a film, book or video games, do these people honestly think its going to be 100% accurate? considering in this case there is robot dinosaurs walking about the place, video games are not meant to be accurate thats what documentarys are for.
People love to be offended...lol
maybe i'm not far enough into the game, though i have met NPCs from three tribes, but so far can't say i've noticed anything that didn't seem natural within the context of the game world. don't particularly recall 'brave' or 'savage', though maybe i'd be the first to admit i'm not culturally sensitive to either term.. but mostly the game seems respectful to its tribal cultures. maybe not so much to the bandits, but then that's the point.
i'm more surprised that PETA hasn't kicked up a big fuss, given how much wildlife slaughter is possible.
@JoeBlogs "She is not trying to take anything away from you."
In fairness, I don't think you have the requisite amount of information to say this with any confidence. Many people who speak like this, from my experience, are totalitarians who would absolutely love to shut other people down if they had the power to. Not saying she does, since I can't see into the heart of the writer of this attack piece, but it wouldn't surprise me.
Moreover, the whole point of this article is that she is clearly wrong. The use of words like "savage" in the game aren't uncritical, and aren't used in any sort of laudatory sense. And while I haven't played the game, if it has any sort of thematic play on the idea of larger civilizations preying on less powerful ones, then connecting the villains to real-life imperialist aggression via the targeted use of language like that is both clever and appropriate.
Remember, just because someone gets offended by something doesn't mean it's reasonable for them to do so.
I have been playing this game for a few days now and I am amazed at how far games have come since the NES! Truly beautiful open world and a great story, people need to distinguish between fact and fiction and have fun!
@JoeBlogs I'd never deny this writer her right to a voice and an opinion. Everyone deserves to have the opportunity to be heard. With that said, this does not imply that people have to just accept this kind of asinine criticism. We shouldn't. Troublesome ideas deserve to be challenged.
Uuugghhhh.
Cultural appropriation is simply the adoption of elements from another culture. It is how ideas are spread and they can be mixed together to help it evolve. It's a very good thing. Kraut and Tea explains it's benefits perfectly if any one is interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4OCW8scFZU
The idea of needing to get consent before doing it is asinine. No one owns a culture, some people may approve of it's appropriation, some might not, who on Earth should be given the power to decide these things. And why should people be denied the right to use certain ideas just because of uncontrollable factors like where they were born or who their ancestors were.
The word "brave" has very good connotations in the English speaking community i.e. the market the game is aimed for so most people won't think anything negative of it. I didn't even know it was a slur until I read the article. And the reason games journalists don't mention these things is because nobody cares, they do not detract from the most important issue: is the game actually good. Furthermore the terms used in no way that harms Native people in real life. They are usually used in such a negative way that is clear that talking like that in real life isn't acceptable.
Artists should have unrestricted freedom to do what ever they want, these pointless worries only hinder creativity. That is by far the best environment for creating new concepts and sharing them with the world, so that in turn can inspire new artists.
TLDR; Cultural appropriation is great, no one has the right to stop anyone doing it or own a culture.
@JoeBlogs Sorry, I disagree. The specific criticism in this article is asinine. Did you read the part where she gets offended because the game talks about society "reverting" to more tribe-based social structures? This is apparently offensive because some Native-Americans still choose to live in tribes. Which, of course, is entirely beside the point: the point is that, in this world, society more broadly appears to have reverted to less complex forms of social organization. When societies collapse, more rudimentary forms of social organization will emerge and, yes, tribes are much more basic in their organization than democratic-capitalist societies.
Moreover, the concept (if not always the word) of "savages" has been broadly adopted throughout history when more complex civilizations sought to 'other' less complex civilizations in order to justify exploiting and destroying them. Native-American cultures are hardly the only ones that have been destroyed by colonial expansion.
Artists can and should draw from history when engaging in their craft. I'm not saying there shouldn't be some tact when dealing with more touchy subjects, but this criticism is fairly ridiculous.
what the hell is wrong with people?! disrespectful?!! are you serious?!
it's just fiction why is it so hard for some people to understand what fiction is! it's just some inspiration..."Disrespectful" my A$$!
come on....the dude is just angry, probably cuz he's just a Microsoft fan, begging for a "full ass Exclusive!"....i'm sorry if I sound a bit offensive...but seriously...is there anyone giving a duck about articles like that?...."is that game offensive...disrespectful" COME ON, people should learn to just live... I hate it when people nag about sh!t like this...specially in Video Games!
@JoeBlogs Slurs work as slurs because we are taught to think of them as such. In the context of the game, the average ignoramus would probably have though that Brave simply referred to the common English use, and therefore be a compliment. This is clear because it's assigned by their own tribe and is mark of prestige. If anything the article has actually made it worse for Native Americans because now previously ignorant people now have a new word they could use offensively, when previously they wouldn't have even thought about using it.
@JoeBlogs Some people can't help but be hyperbolic in their reactions to things. For my part, as long as someone doesn't lobby for art to be censored for whatever reason, I'm cool with whatever viewpoint they want to express, even if I vigorously disagree with it.
Tribal culture is the roots of all humanity its not racial and not limited to North America.
Lot of people offended by person taking offence. 😋
@Gatatog you hit it right on the head my friend, context is everything when it comes to stuff like this
@Cyph0Lax @ThroughTheIris56 @GraveLordXD @Mr_Alejo Well, let's be careful we don't trip over our privilege. If you're not a minority, then it's impossible to know what it's like to live in their shoes.
Fighting stereotypes is healthy as it creates conversation and brings awareness to the privileged state. Blaming it on "political correctness" diminishes the point of tolerance and diversity, essentially giving a green light to ignore the damage caused by racial insensitivity.
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