Article by Eryk Katimbang Graphics by Enzo Salvador
August 23, 2022
Players of the popular game, Genshin Impact is currently in a state of discussion as they weather out the disparity in regards to referencing cultural diversity within the game. As Hoyoverse releases its latest teasers of the upcoming version 3.0, many references to the game’s content are seemingly skewed toward the general appeal rather than properly referencing the inspirations it was supposed to represent. This led to many players debating whether Genshin Impact should follow the conformity of representation and the culture it’s trying to represent or to leave it be as an unheard opinion since it’s just a game.
But why is this important? Proper representation of culture, whether it is fiction or not, should be given into consideration especially when existing characters in the same game were given such careful treatment. One such character is Yunjin, a singer in the game that represents the Chinese opera, showing a part of an unpopular minority in the Chinese culture. This character was given many considerations and intricacies woven into her character up to the most crucial of details. From her voice to how she interacts within the confines of the game, she was breathed into life to represent an art inspired by real-life Chinese opera inside a video game. And thus, the same could be said in treating other characters and content from their inspired culture. Furthermore, allowing such diversity to thrive can be beneficial for unsung cultures such as what happened in Chinese opera, where many players became suddenly interested in the ancient art, giving it new life and looking for those unfamiliar with it.
Why is this a topic then?
The Genshin impact player-base’s vast opinions walked in a tight rope when new teasers for upcoming characters were dropped and became known to the general public. One of which is the character’s design being too stereotypical and uncharacteristic of what it was supposed to represent. Many voiced their dissatisfaction with Genshin’s approach to aesthetic and design which culturally misrepresents the ideal look for the real-life equivalent of such inspirations. Ranging from skin tone to small ornaments that differ in meaning from their real-life counterparts were brought to light by many vocal minorities who were supposedly represented.
In the light of things, most of the player-base has thought to just let the game be as is instead of arguing something pointless despite the lack of willingness on the game developer’s behalf on researching representation. On the other hand, the developers need to learn that effort means everything when the game is all about the most minute details having meaning. Since they have already done it before with Yunjin, there is no doubt that other characters in different regions that they are supposed to represent should have the same, if not more careful treatment to make sure that the representation stays as is.
After all, no one wants to see a perfect representation of something on one side and not the other way for others.
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