When Resident Evil 5 finally shuffles onto shelves March 13, it'll have had years of development and countless claims that it contains racist over-and-undertones behind it. When we sat down with RE5 producer Jun Takeuchi for one last, pre-launch interview, he spoke with us about this lingering issue.
"I do think that now that the full game is almost out there and people play the full title for themselves, they will see and understand what it is all about; that there is no racial element to it at all," Takeuchi told us.
We asked Takeuchi if claims that Japan's homogeneous culture had made his team less cognizant of potentially racist content held any weight. "It is a pretty difficult question," he said. "I don't really think that it is applicable, or certainly it is not applicable in the way that you describe it ... I don't think that there is anything particular, because we are Japanese, that becomes a problem."
No matter what, we suspect there will be those who'll "find" something in the game to get into a huff about -- thus netting it a few days of free advertising on countless news broadcasts.
Reader Comments (123)
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 5:38AM Seven Weasels Running on a Keybo said
There is quite a difference between saying the game is not racist and saying the game has no racial elements.
"Racist" would imply some purposeful, malevolent, and prejudiced content. And that really doesn't appear to be what is going on here.
To say it has racial elements or, more specifically, to call it racially insensitive is an admittance that there are serious racial issues to be dealt with (that, through ignorance or negligence, have not been dealt with much by Capcom) when you pit a white individual and a conspicuously light-skinned black individual against many African/black enemies in a work of fiction. And that is not really something you can get away from.
I am not sure that I agree with Capcom's "turn a blind eye" approach. They could just make some statements that make it clear that they meant absolutely no harm in creating the milieu of the game but understand if the game makes some people uncomfortable. Maybe that would be admitting too much though. They really do appear to be feigning ignorance at this point though, and I just don't buy it, whether or not it actually does help them save face.
"Racist" would imply some purposeful, malevolent, and prejudiced content. And that really doesn't appear to be what is going on here.
To say it has racial elements or, more specifically, to call it racially insensitive is an admittance that there are serious racial issues to be dealt with (that, through ignorance or negligence, have not been dealt with much by Capcom) when you pit a white individual and a conspicuously light-skinned black individual against many African/black enemies in a work of fiction. And that is not really something you can get away from.
I am not sure that I agree with Capcom's "turn a blind eye" approach. They could just make some statements that make it clear that they meant absolutely no harm in creating the milieu of the game but understand if the game makes some people uncomfortable. Maybe that would be admitting too much though. They really do appear to be feigning ignorance at this point though, and I just don't buy it, whether or not it actually does help them save face.
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 8:09AM (Unverified) said
Sorry to say it but these racism claims are counterproductive to equality issues.
Equality means looking at the game and saying I'm shooting zombies. The second you weigh more significance to the fact your killing black zombies, you just stepped into racism territory.
If you truly believed the world was equal you should be able to line up a zombie of every nation, colour, race, and sex.. put a bullet in each one of their faces without any issue.
The fact that everyone acts as though the world is going to end when a black zombies is shot is a clear indicator of where the racism lies. Otherwise it should be just as acceptable to kill a spanish zombie as it is to kill a black zombie or a white zombie or a nazi in a WW game.
If you seriously see a difference between killing a white zombie and a black zombie you are NOT looking at both races as equal which ironically makes any non-black person joining in with this 'damnation' a racist...
The fact this has caused such outcry highlights the fact society as a whole is still seperating groups and minorities even in such a medium as gaming.
Its not segregation in its strongest form but we are now saying we cannot have black zombies or set a game such as this in a black area of the world. Is that not a form of racism and seperation?
Think about it logically.
Equality means looking at the game and saying I'm shooting zombies. The second you weigh more significance to the fact your killing black zombies, you just stepped into racism territory.
If you truly believed the world was equal you should be able to line up a zombie of every nation, colour, race, and sex.. put a bullet in each one of their faces without any issue.
The fact that everyone acts as though the world is going to end when a black zombies is shot is a clear indicator of where the racism lies. Otherwise it should be just as acceptable to kill a spanish zombie as it is to kill a black zombie or a white zombie or a nazi in a WW game.
If you seriously see a difference between killing a white zombie and a black zombie you are NOT looking at both races as equal which ironically makes any non-black person joining in with this 'damnation' a racist...
The fact this has caused such outcry highlights the fact society as a whole is still seperating groups and minorities even in such a medium as gaming.
Its not segregation in its strongest form but we are now saying we cannot have black zombies or set a game such as this in a black area of the world. Is that not a form of racism and seperation?
Think about it logically.
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 8:36AM (Unverified) said
Knottop spews the truth, i mean come on people...I played the demo and nothing appeared racist. All i saw was "zombies" trying to kill my character.
Reply
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 11:20AM (Unverified) said
Hey Knottop,
I used to think the exact same thing. Unfortunately, as a society it is almost impossible for us to level the playing field at this point. There are still racial issues that need to be dealt with on all fronts before we can forget race all together. Possibly in 20 years we will all be a nice shade of grey and will respect all cultures. Until then we cannot forget that race is an issue or else we will come off as ignorant. Race used by elite white people to pit their poor white counter parts against the slaves and other cultures to make them feel superior and therefore more docile. If we rail against the NAACP and fight amongst ourselves we are inadvertently helping to push back progress by giving weight to the people who say that “white people are oppressed”. We may feel hindered and angry sometimes that we take the blame, but as individuals we need to bare that burden until the elite are no longer powerful white men and stereotypes are no longer showcased.
Reply
I used to think the exact same thing. Unfortunately, as a society it is almost impossible for us to level the playing field at this point. There are still racial issues that need to be dealt with on all fronts before we can forget race all together. Possibly in 20 years we will all be a nice shade of grey and will respect all cultures. Until then we cannot forget that race is an issue or else we will come off as ignorant. Race used by elite white people to pit their poor white counter parts against the slaves and other cultures to make them feel superior and therefore more docile. If we rail against the NAACP and fight amongst ourselves we are inadvertently helping to push back progress by giving weight to the people who say that “white people are oppressed”. We may feel hindered and angry sometimes that we take the blame, but as individuals we need to bare that burden until the elite are no longer powerful white men and stereotypes are no longer showcased.
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 9:23AM (Unverified) said
This game is racist! It has black people in it and they are being portrayed as being vicious and aggressive!
Of course it doesn't have anything to do with them being ZOMBIES, it's just plain racist.
/sarcasm
Of course it doesn't have anything to do with them being ZOMBIES, it's just plain racist.
/sarcasm
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 10:07AM (Unverified) said
Capcom is clearly prejudiced against modern, fun control schemes.
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 10:36AM freelance said
That dialogue between Chris and Sheva was the best discussions about race in a joystiq blog ever. M
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 10:48AM Professor Lario said
Does anyone wonder why a game with perceived racial undertones towards black people raises so much controversy, when at the same time we have a weekly release focusing on killing middle-easterners by the bucketloads and no one seems to mind, or notice.
I would venture to say that we need to move past stereo types of both kinds - not portraying just one ethnicity as the enemy in all games, but also allowing other ethnic groups to play that role. I think it is about time we had black zombies.
I would venture to say that we need to move past stereo types of both kinds - not portraying just one ethnicity as the enemy in all games, but also allowing other ethnic groups to play that role. I think it is about time we had black zombies.
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 11:49AM Spunky Monkey 190906 said
Or a black hero, or an indian hero, heck, its made by a Japanese company and yet theres no Japanese in sight, hero or zombie.
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Posted: Feb 25th 2009 10:53AM Negatron said
All this hatred!
I will have you know all my man slaves are pygmies found burrowed beneath volcanic ash in the Galapagos Islands. All their expenses are paid for since they make the best waffles and pancakes from scratch. Also they are very cute when oiled up and wearing their little bow tie, which is all they are allowed to wear during my private parties.
:P
I will have you know all my man slaves are pygmies found burrowed beneath volcanic ash in the Galapagos Islands. All their expenses are paid for since they make the best waffles and pancakes from scratch. Also they are very cute when oiled up and wearing their little bow tie, which is all they are allowed to wear during my private parties.
:P
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 11:31AM (Unverified) said
Stop lying! The Japanese hate black people! They want to see the white man burn Africa to the ground!
racism, Racism, RACISM!!!!!
racism, Racism, RACISM!!!!!
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 3:04PM moominsean said
yeah kinda funny tat you can't shoot black people in games, yet 50 cent can shoot as many middle easterners as possible and that's not racist...
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 3:07PM Overgauss said
Black people can take busses to go to the million man march in droves or see Obama's inauguration, yet they are incapable of taking a bus to get away from katrina or escape the T-virus.
RE5 is so topical.
RE5 is so topical.
Posted: Feb 26th 2009 12:05AM zsavior said
I know this won't matter I know that this story is old. But people like you are the reason RE:5 is getting Crap Let me quote what your IDIOTIC BRAIN just said
"Black people can take busses to go to the million man march in droves or see Obama's inauguration, yet they are incapable of taking a bus to get away from katrina or escape the T-virus.
RE5 is so topical." Overgauss
First off I can tell you must be a pathetic classless soul cause you had to use Hurricane Katrina to make some sort of invalid point. Second you are obviously not to smart because how do you Move away from a Virus? Wouldn't the people infected also get on the bus YOU DIMWIT!
But last the people, the unfortunate VICTIMS of hurricane Katrina weren't able to "get on a bus" because NO BUSES were there for them to get on. How would that work, No genius you tell me. They only had a couple days to prepare and evacuate a entire town You think New Orleans is small? The mayor who ordered buses from F.E.M.A waited to long and; finally when he did order them, they were held up. Most of the people couldn't afford to put gas in their cars let alone get on the imaginary buses you speak of. Hey by the way Barrack Obama, won the presidency in November 2008 , in January he held is inauguration I think people had time for preparation.
Last you Imbecile and I can say that with great confidence. You seem to think Hurricane Katrina only effected black people. Do you have any idea why New Orleans became flooded? The Hurricane was a class 5 storm, that was medium to average the reason New Orleans went under was the levees broke. The storm did damage upwards to 89.5 Billion dollars, and effected Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Guess what Not only black people lost their homes and loves ones there were white people to. But cause idiots like you dismissed the Hurricane as only hurting some people Many of those neighborhoods didn't receive help and are still in shambles today.
But here rather then come up from random stupidity how about you read about what actually happened. and see why black people "are incapable of taking a bus to get away from katrina"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina
Reply
"Black people can take busses to go to the million man march in droves or see Obama's inauguration, yet they are incapable of taking a bus to get away from katrina or escape the T-virus.
RE5 is so topical." Overgauss
First off I can tell you must be a pathetic classless soul cause you had to use Hurricane Katrina to make some sort of invalid point. Second you are obviously not to smart because how do you Move away from a Virus? Wouldn't the people infected also get on the bus YOU DIMWIT!
But last the people, the unfortunate VICTIMS of hurricane Katrina weren't able to "get on a bus" because NO BUSES were there for them to get on. How would that work, No genius you tell me. They only had a couple days to prepare and evacuate a entire town You think New Orleans is small? The mayor who ordered buses from F.E.M.A waited to long and; finally when he did order them, they were held up. Most of the people couldn't afford to put gas in their cars let alone get on the imaginary buses you speak of. Hey by the way Barrack Obama, won the presidency in November 2008 , in January he held is inauguration I think people had time for preparation.
Last you Imbecile and I can say that with great confidence. You seem to think Hurricane Katrina only effected black people. Do you have any idea why New Orleans became flooded? The Hurricane was a class 5 storm, that was medium to average the reason New Orleans went under was the levees broke. The storm did damage upwards to 89.5 Billion dollars, and effected Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Guess what Not only black people lost their homes and loves ones there were white people to. But cause idiots like you dismissed the Hurricane as only hurting some people Many of those neighborhoods didn't receive help and are still in shambles today.
But here rather then come up from random stupidity how about you read about what actually happened. and see why black people "are incapable of taking a bus to get away from katrina"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 3:09PM (Unverified) said
Jesus freaking Christ, people! This is a continuation of a series. A series about a virus that has obviously spread to other parts of the world. Who gives a rat's ass if it's a white guy killing blacks? The only people to care are those who are racist themselves and want THEIR race to be the protagonist! Hell, some of my favorite games (i.e. The Suffering) included a BLACK protagonist who killed WHITE people. Did I complain about it? NO! It was a GREAT GAME! Did I complain as a kid when playing japanese RPGs where the protagonist was CLEARLY asian!? NO. Those were great games as well.
People just need to get over this race crap. This one reason this world has the problems it has - people getting their 'feelings' hurt. Christ. Grow the F*** UP!
People just need to get over this race crap. This one reason this world has the problems it has - people getting their 'feelings' hurt. Christ. Grow the F*** UP!
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 9:43PM (Unverified) said
The protaganist in the game "The Suffering" was not black. It protrays a white convict having visions and recollections of his dead black girlfriend and her black son from a previous relationship throughout the game. It's rather baffeling how you could have mistaken him for black, it's obvious he is not. I just finished the game recently. Also, none of the victims of his wrath were white. Rather they were some form of evil manifistation of past prisoners twisted and grotesque beyond belief.
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Posted: Feb 26th 2009 4:01PM (Unverified) said
Forgive me. He was, as the DEVELOPERS said, 'mixed'. As in part black, part white - which most people associated with being 'black.' As for the 'victims of his wrath', what do you think they started out as? This being the same train of thought with RE5. If the enemies on RE5 were 'mutated' and not just zombies, would the game still be considered racist?
Reply
Posted: Feb 25th 2009 8:57PM Diverguy said
btw, kudos on the pic in the story, avenue q ftw, lol
Posted: Feb 26th 2009 3:16PM (Unverified) said
I'd have to say, as a young black male race in video games is the least of my concerns and amazingly enough when I ask friends, family, and colleagues they ALL feel the same way. Seems to me that blacks have people getting upset on their behalf when they really have no issue with it. How in the heck to you expect such a culturally secluded country like Japan to understand what AMERICANS consider racist. Only ones that seem to keep bringing this up are journalist and Ngai Croal is not the sole voice of black americans.
Posted: Feb 26th 2009 7:53AM (Unverified) said
You know how i know your gay joystiq? You quoted a musical with puppets in it for your pic.
Posted: Feb 26th 2009 7:41PM AtomicPlayboy said
See? We're not a nation of cowards. [Idiots, maybe]
Posted: Mar 1st 2009 1:13AM Overgauss said
@lameduck you said:
"I love how people like you ignore the fact that black people in Africa sold their own kind in to slavery, that black people were not the only slaves in this world, and somehow every white person owes black something."
Exactly! It's just like the Germans exterminating the Jews. Everyone seems to forget that white people people enslaved their own kind, and that Jews were not the only oppressed people in the world living in concentration camps, and that somehow every non Jewish person owes whites something.
"I love how people like you ignore the fact that black people in Africa sold their own kind in to slavery, that black people were not the only slaves in this world, and somehow every white person owes black something."
Exactly! It's just like the Germans exterminating the Jews. Everyone seems to forget that white people people enslaved their own kind, and that Jews were not the only oppressed people in the world living in concentration camps, and that somehow every non Jewish person owes whites something.





