Why some find Resident Evil 5 to be racist. (Should they though?)

With all of the recent negative hoopla surrounding Resident Evil 5 due to the location and ethnicity of the Zombies this time around, Nintendo might just be happy that RE:5 will not be released on the Wii. This time around, the infestation and killing occurs in Africa, and many people, mostly those of African descent aren't pleased with what they've seen so far.

[-EvoAnubis-]

Because they're idiots. That was easy.

[The Wood]

if it was set in Greenland or Iceland and had zero blacks, browns etc. If its set in a predominantly black part of the world then its logical for most of the 'infected' to be black. Whether your a 360, wii or ps3 owner Im sure we ALL agree on this one.

[Rocko]

I think this picture sums it up pretty good.

[MisfitSmurf]

the real racist are the ones who are saying the game is racist to start with. They're so closed minded, any normal person would see that the game its just killing zombies, but the blinded A$$holes just have to look past the real reason the game is made and look at some part that doesnt even matter. Plain stupidity if you ask me

[Science_NERD]

will those blacks claiming that it is racist consider it so if they paint every charcter white but gave them black features? Stupid uneducated fvcks

btw theyre forgetting what majority of race is making the game...Bastardo!

[Amanosenpai]

An afro-chinese south-american dude with a british half sister killing nordish-koreans infected folks would be better... Dont you think?

BTW

<3 Black people <3 ---------> thats racist*

[The Wood]

just because somebody says something is racist against blacks doesn't mean it was a black person who said it. That's a misconception that can cause unrest and misunderstanding, it can also be applied to all races

[TruthbeTold]

The Japanese created and continue to develop Resident Evil...

[Harry190]

What is your point exactly?

[MURKERR]

way to go really showing your intelligence(guess you can only play casual games not to much thinking needed right?),

the way you talk about 'blacks' go to open zone and let ur rascim flow freely next youl be sayin your not racist

the wood agree wid you dude bubbles up up up

[JsonHenry]

Would it be less racist if they were in Africa and there were only white people around?!

[Harry190]

there's always something to talk about.

[coolmatrix]

Capcom was notified more than one year ago about the tone and nature of this game.

Depicting black teen children is a first time for a video game where you shoot and kill. Showing slavery images in the form of clothing and hair ties is another. Mimicking the walk and manner of black weilding thugs just goes to show the lowest level Capcom has taken. The cherry momemt, Africa and the virus; someone forget today the AIDS epidemic and the exisiting view in some African nation.

The Japan Trade Organization, all government in African countries, the White House, Capcom's major investors and CAPCOM LEGAL DEPARTMENT as well as Walmart, Taget, etc. has been notified more than one year ago.

If this continues this could damage the reputation of Japan and Capcom.

The letter to the Justice Department of California is still fresh, tucked away and filed.

I wait to see how they defend this game in public. Corporate responsibility?

See you soon...Capcom!

[PSWe60]

AH JEEZ, THIS AGAIN!?!?

[devilhunterx]

Why people whine about this, but dont have problems with games where "white man shoot tanned skinned people"

[Bebedora]

Why is beyond doubt. It's just selfrighteousness. Black and white. Right and wrong. Good and evil. So selfrighteous fvks. Go burn some place will you.

[muddygamesite]

The original intention of this game is not racist. its only logical to have black people predominant in the game if it is set in africa. But whats making all the controversy go overboard is the fact that a white male seems to be killing black, uncivilized africans.......with guns (which points towards white superiority).

As a black guy, i never saw this game as racist, but with recent discussions, i can understand why some people are pulling their race cards. Those who arent familiar with the series and gaming in general will be the ones who will take the most offense. I however will still be buying this game, because Capcom really impressed me with DMC4.

Alot of people are wondering what all the fuss is about. Well if you read your history books, maybe you might understand where some of these people are coming from. In the past, Racism was very bad, and it still is today (only in a more concealed, stealth form). So when people who are sensitive to such matters see such scenes, it will drive them mad, maybe even bringing flashbacks.

I really hope this issue wont mess up the game..I have killed alot of white people in games before, but it never made me have a hard on, or even get aroused from the violence, neither did it satisfy any sick racist view in my mind. I just dont think that way.

[The Closing]

"Those who arent familiar with the series."

"Well if you read your history books, maybe you might understand."

I have a good feeling what's happening here is very one sided. Considering the region, and the superstitions this is the perfect location for a RE game, and also the very first time in the entire series, and things were looking pretty realistic in the last game. But instead of taking the time to research, and understand the reasoning behind things some felt the need to blow things way out of proportion in return creating actual tension. I have a feeling the majority of people, creators included wouldn't have even considered racism, cuz I certainly didn't, but now it's been placed in everyone's mind. If you're searching for racism everywhere you look then it's going to subconsciously turn you into the exact thing you despise, and that's just human nature.

[xg-ei8ht]

I'm white and know alot about history. But racism and slavery wasn't just whites, it was black on black(as in black ppl selling black ppl as slaves) alot went on.

But tbh in this day and age, you cannot and should not use this as an excuse to ruin for what i think is going to be one the greatest games of all time. I couldn't careless what i'm shooting, i'm interested in the story, graphics, it all looks amazing.

On a side note, all the zombies in this game are trying to eat chris redfield(a white guy)

Don't take it too seriously, Theres much bigger things in life to be concerned about.

Peace and enjoy the game(just hurry up and release it)

[Science_NERD]

Will those who are claiming this game is racist even play it? Or are they those black power people that like to pick at things to p1ss and moan about. I think chris rock is a racist little bean, but I dont listen to him, so what do i care? why should others care? Go write a book about all the stupid things that could be racist...hey did you know kernal sanders was a racist? Better boycott KFC now!

[ScentlessApprentice7]

Nobody will boycott KFC. There aren't enough Popeye's Chicken establishments around for them to go anywhere else to get their fix of fried chicken because everyone knows how much WE ALL LOVE FRIED CHICKEN!!!

LOL! I just felt like lightening the mood a little bit there (and BTW I'm not black...not like theres anything wrong with that...)

[Cupid_Viper_3]

WTF is your point?

wtf does Chris Rock have to do with this? and more importantly, if you dont listen to him, how the hell did you conclude that he's racist? is it because, a) you guys actually hang out? or b) he talks about sh!t that actually happened?

You know what, I think N4G should not allowed race to be discussed on the website.

Its one thing to have people speculate about games and consoles, NO real harm done there. But something like race can easily get out of hand, and those scars will last, and maybe provoke something unfortunate, that none of us might not be ready for, and trust me, nobody wants that. and you BLEEDINGRUBBLES, you're probably white, and Probably NEVER BEEN BLACK, so dont pretend you know, cuz you simply dont. And I'm probably Black, and Probably never been white, so let's just be gamers, and actually talk about sh!t we know a little more of...... aight? thank you

as far as the game is concerned, they're both trying to kill each other, and leave it at that.

[TruthbeTold]

It really seems to be non-gamers who feel that the game is racist. To them the reasons don't matter. They don't know, understand, or care abut the history of the game.

[Bastion]

I don't think the developers were looking at this game as racist, however, i do think they are oblivious to how the game would appear objectively to those of african decent. An easy remedy would be to have another hero of african decent (which is still possible nobody knows everything about the game) or had introduced a new lead character, which could have served to empower people of african decent and appease the gaming masses, by keeping familar characters woven in. I will still be getting the game, cause i love games. Black dude out...

[Bastion]

Oh yea I've played every resident evil, and nowhere in the history of the game would have expected 5, i mean why now during the current graphical power of games, this game could have been done on past consoles. I just think the series dares to be hollywood, and treat gamers as mature people

[Bnet343]

I'll be severely pissed if this game is changed because of this dumbass RE5 is racist sh*t.

[jawz10]

Because its too realistic. It hits too close to home. Going into Spain and shooting zombie-like people has never happened in reality, at least not to my knowledge. Going into Africa with guns and mowing down people has a history. Raping and exploiting Africa has a history. Its has happened. It is happening today.

Many will say, "well you're just playing the race card. You're being too sensitive." That maybe true, but consider this... A game where you are an Asian student and you go into a college campus and kill students indiscriminately ala Dead Rising... it would cause an uproar. It would be insensitive to the people who have died, the people who knew people who died, the faculty and the staff of Virginia Tech. That tragedy is still fresh enough in our memory to know it would be tasteless to make such a game, or rather market a game in that way.

The history of Africa as a continent is no different, sad to say. But obviously on a much larger scale. The only difference is it isn't a subject that is fresh in our memories. Remember all the horrible atrocities, the wars, the diseases, the poverty, the colonialism, the slavery... and you'll start to see why people who are indirectly affected by such things are a little sensitive about a trailer where a guy walks into a poor African village shoots people.

For the record, I'm buying this game day one. It looks fantastic.

[Science_NERD]

Yeah its happening right now. But is it racist if blacks are killing off blacks because of the different tribes and crap that theyve been killing eachother for the past centuries? White people are not going into africa and slaughtering blacks, they are doing that themselves

[jawz10]

Actually, thats why I think having a black protagonist would be even worse. It would make the trailer look like a genocide game. Africa will always be a touchy subject for people, black or white, because its the most exploited place on earth. Remember that next time you're wearing gold or diamonds someone in Africa is suffering for that.

[criticalzero]

These people are the ones that are promoting Racisim, they didn't complain about it in the other RE's where we had to kill whites!!!!....I mean it's not only video games...It's everywhere.....Almost every black person is always complaining about white people when there is almost no racism today.....They just need something, o someone to blame!!!!

[murkster-dubez]

"there is almost no racism today"

you can't be serious.

Your going to see some of the closet racist on this page

[vilmer]

Racist my a**! Doesn't anyone remember Gunsmoke for the NES?

[machete squad steve]

You can find racism in any thing that has diversity if you put it under a microscope. Its the d!cks looking too hard for it we need to worry about!

[Ureval]

So shooting hispanic zombies is alright, but shooting black zombies isnt?

Hmm.

Granted, RE5 looks very realistic, where RE4 was obviously more fantastical, but still.

[ScentlessApprentice7]

What makes me laugh is how no one batted an eye when RE4 glorified killing spanish people, but now all of a sudden its like "don't include us Black People in anything you do! Go about killing everyother ethnicity on this planet except us because God knows we are the ones that can never let anything go and just move on with our existence!"

I swear some people love to just keep dwelling on things that occurred hundreds of years ago without looking forward. (You see all that. Everything I just said. That is referred to as an unspoken truth).

[Nitrowolf2]

that gay
wtf how is it racist i dont see it.
im sorry but all what they are showing is african american turning into zombies.
It takes place in africa, i mean i can kinda of see where a racist person might by the game because of it
but come on the infestation is all over the place in this game

[MasterOne]

The lack of diversity is once again shinning through in these forums. The developers did not do there homework. I don't think they meant to be blatantly racist. However, it comes off that way. Folks tend to give Japanese developers a pass when it comes to cultural insensitivity. However, they should have done some research. Look at some of the past questionable Sony marketing campaigns (Black/White PSP). This will probably be a good game. However, I may have to pass on it unless they make changes. They could at least comment and defend themselves.

[The Closing]

Oh, so now it's the Japanese developers who are insensitive? You sir are a bigot!

See, I could easily turn your own words into racism without taking the time to fully understand the reasoning behind them.

[criticalzero]

Take your racism elsewhere!!!!!!!!

[Armyless]

You sir, see a world with races divided. You are the problem. You are racist.

(By the way, nobody's fooled by your alternate account, it just means you don't have the courage to make these idiotic comments using your main.)

[perils]

groan! im not even gonna read this one. title should be "WHY SOME FIND RESI 5 TO BE RACIST. ANSWER- COS THEIR REACTIONARY TARDS AND/OR STUPID"

[smurfie4]

Well watch Tears of the Sun, or Blood Diamond. Then we'll see how enthusiastic you are about playing this game. I want still want to play it. I just cant deny the fact that I feel uncomfortable at times about this game.

[perils]

grr this has got nothing to do with any of thoes movies! the fact is its set in africa riiiight! africa is populated primarily with black people riiiight. chris redfield is an established character who is probably integral to the plot!!!! i see capcom having to put in a second playable character who just might be black to shut people up! hell probably say "non-racist" things like "HELL NO MOTHERLOVER YOU GOTTA BE TRIPPIN HOMES" which no one will bat an eyelid at! grrrr

p.s im hella enthusiastic about offing zombies no matter what colour they are! you gotta organise before they rise!!!!!!

[Armyless]

is because you have been trained to pity "black people." This is a racist tendency and breeds the very derision you fear.

This DEBATE is hilarious.

[longduckdong]

even if the main guy was black, they would still complain. They would say the black on black crimes portray blacks in a savage manner, and that's racist.

So the only way not to be racist and not to offend any blacks is to only say and do nice things for them, give them more free money for welfare, and vote for OBAMA

[criticalzero]

Exactly...You have a good point.....I mean, they are taking everything to be racism.....Can you believe it?? Even echochrome was dubbed a racist game for being completely white

[ScentlessApprentice7]

its seriously started to get worn out.

[kingOVsticks]

was that? dude, take a breather and please stop clumping a whole race of people into one stereotype not all black people are going to vote for Obama or are begging for welfare money. Actually welfare checks were originally made for poor white people scratch that just poor people. It has nothing to do with race it just politics made it into that,the same goes for affirmative action. That wasn't made for blacks either black people only make up 12% of the US population so theres more poor white people then blacks. your entitled to your opinion just relax a little.

BTW people in general are going to complain just for the sake of complaining theres no changing that.

[TruthbeTold]

...by saying that it's annoying to hear the pathetic inference that all blacks who support Obama are ignorant or only voting for him because he's black. It is also just as annoying to hear the inference that whites who support Obama do so in order to deal out some twisted form of reparations. How disgusting, pathetic, short-sighted, and ignorant. Grow up already.

[criticalzero]

WHY NOT CALL GOD A RACIST FOR MAKING THE CLOUDS WHITE...AND THEN TURNING THEM BLACK WHEN A STORM IS COMING NEAR!!!!!!!!!

[ASSASSYN 36o]

I am black and I am not bothered by this game. I have been shooting white people for years. And will be blasting them for many years to come. Dusting-off the nazis back in the wolfenstien days was very satisfying. And you fools act like ignorance doesn't swing all directions. Everyone white, black, brown, and yellow are rascist. Your ability to ignore it and teach your kids not to tollerate or add to this ignorance is proves you aren't like the rascist. Not the possible fact that you have a white or black friend.

[TruthbeTold]

Alot of good comments, and alot of outright uninformed clowns. In any case, it's good to talk about race, as long as effort is made to keep it civil.

[takz]

Though i do agree that the trailer was in bad taste. i could understand why one would get offended by the game. I'm quite shocked a how biased the views expressed on this topic are. would expect people to at least try and be more open minded than that. I have come to believe that the main reasons why this trailer is considered offensive is it seems because

Well firstly the zombies do no really look like zombies, they more or less resemble rugged, crazy, dirty black people.( one of the zombie generals was just some guy with a siren and stunner shades on) unlike in other resident evil games where zombie depictions where clear because their bodies looked sorta rotted out

Why can't the hero be black it is set in Africa there shouldn't be much of a logical challenge setting up that context. that would close of any criticisms. it seems one of the criticisms in video games today and it would be interesting to see someone deny that 9 out 10 of times Africans are never portrayed in positive light they are always beaten up, killed or end up as some horrible stereotype.

And also regarding the history of Africa, which is some really heavy stuff just find out you'd be shocked at the cruelty of humanity. considering the atrocities committed by colonialism only ended within the past 40 years explains the idea of a white soldier killing African civilians would upset some people.

thats some of the reason why people are upset i guess its hard to understand when your not in someone elses shoes.

I think cap com sees the value of this controversy. the only thing the sells as well as sex is controversy and the see that all the fuss over this game would probably help with that alot

[perils]

"Why can't the hero be black it is set in Africa there shouldn't be much of a logical challenge setting up that context. that would close of any criticisms. it seems one of the criticisms in video games today and it would be interesting to see someone deny that 9 out 10 of times Africans are never portrayed in positive light they are always beaten up, killed or end up as some horrible stereotype."

chris redfield has a pretty big part to play in the whole resi universe so i for one would be pi$$ed of if he was replaced with "generic black man 1" whos complex back story includes being black for the sake of it! i can understand why people with no prior knowledge might see a white man shooting a bunch of black people and question it. my problem is people jumpin straight to the conclusion that it is racially motivated (the kind of people who will join a queue cos its there).

[kingOVsticks]

this is my second time commenting on a similar article a little while back but here I go again. This game isn't racist nor was it intended to be racist. Capcom is a company that makes games that the average gamer wants to play.

The average gamer wants to play a hero that they're comfortable or look up to which is basically a stereotype cool,handsome,male,and white.Capcom already knows this, making a hero that fits that description they know they will not lose any of their demographic in the us,eu,and jpn. Since ethnic people hold strong negative stereotypes around the world they would have a chance of losing their demographic if they decided to have an ethnic main character.

Yes in Resident evil out break there were two black main characters but at the same time the overall story doesn't revolve around them like Chris or leon or any other main characters from the resident evil series. Not to say there hasn't been any black protagonist in popular video games just hasn't been one for a popular Japaneses game yet.

Until Capcom feels comfortable enough to have a black/Mexican etc character we probably won't be seeing one anytime soon. If you are not familiar with the resident evil series and watch the trailer your not going to know what the hell is going on.You can't tell the guy walking around with a gun is a cop or is there to help them nor can you tell that the black people are zombies since they act,move react so realistically unlike zombies.

The average person will see some white guy with a gun and a whole bunch of crazy Africans attacking him with machetes,pitch forks etc.True this is set in Africa and its predominantly black but I can bet alot of money if the main character was black and he was sent to Germany and he shot mostly white people we would hear an equal uproar. That aside its not a racist game its just another awesome game to my collection just you guys have to decide to stay open minded to other people opinions:)

[Clinton514]

I'll keep this simple because I could write forever about this.

I do not find the game racist. I know what RE is and has always been.

That being said, it's not difficult to understand why SOME people may find what they've seen offensive. It kind of bothers me to see some people get upset out of ignorance of the series and it also bothers me to read comments from others claiming that the ones who do find it racist are "whining" or "idiots".

I'm not from the United States but it's easy to see that the wounds of racism/slavery have not been healed. Who's to blame? I think that's up for everyone in the country to discuss, figure out and move beyond. I read one comment from the Destructoid blog today, stating that 'slavery and racism' wasn't a part of his history because he was not black. That was the gist of his statement. Sorry to tell him, it's a part of American history...no matter what colour you are.

I just ask that YOU educated gamers out there keep the dialog open, smart and informative for the non-gamers who WILL demonize this game. We don't need ignorant and insensitive gamers representing us. No matter what your opinion on this matter, be wise about what you say.

Keep gaming!

[PLiPhaze]

Finally some sense being spread in this thread, though the amount of ignorance in here is unsurprising it still makes you wonder about humanity & racism in general

[7h3ultim8p00]

MIPOTD - Most Intelligent Post Of The Day

[Doctor Strange]

Great comment. I'm black and I agree with your statement 100%. I wasn't offended knowing what the game is all about I easily understand how some people can get offended.

Also some of this comments people are making are beyond ignorance. At least try to put yourself in someone else's shows to understand their point of view.

[7h3ultim8p00]

If Chris Redfield was a German and he went to a place that was predominantly Jewish and started killing off jewish zombies, we would have the same problem we are having right now.
You have to STOP being so insensitive. Yes, RE5 is not racist at all. And yes, the people complaining about the game being racist probably don't even know what the word "racist" means. But the mere fact that you have a WHITE guy going to AFRICA and shooting a bunch of BLACK people is BOUND to hurt some feelings due to history. You cannot just call these people's feelings stupid, especially if you don't understand. You can't just say "what's the big deal. it's not racist. get over it." You need to understand that other people are in conditions/situations you haven't been through, and they will see things from a much different perspective than you would. You lack just as much common sense as them if you are so insensitive.

Personally, I'm not gonna buy this game. It looks like great fun, but I just feel way too uncomfortable playing a white guy and shooting Africans in the face. Yeah, I know u r gonna bring up Re4 and shooting up Spaniards. But there is no history between whites and Spaniards, at least not in the way as there is between whites and Africans, and that is why I didn't feel uncomfortable playing it.

If you are going to reply to this, THINK carefully what you are going to say, and make sure you do not post stupidity.

EDIT: I just wanted to add that this article is full of win. It sums up exactly what I have to say.

[PLiPhaze]

(And i've come across this amongst friends) some people don't WANT to try and understand other points of view until they experience it themselves, how else could you logically say "people who see racism are racist??!!!"

[The Closing]

"If Chris Redfield was a German and he went to a place that was predominantly Jewish and started killing off jewish zombies"

Way to use N'Gai's totally irrelevant statement. Did you know the Jewish people much like the African Americans were enslaved for not 200 years, but twice that amount of time by the Egyptians? A better statement would have been how would you feel if the target demographic of the gamers were Egyptians thus the main character was of Egyptian decent, a character who was at the beginning from a long standing ongoing series, and "if" Israel was a place of long time unearthly superstition, which is why the story took place there. I wouldn't be bothered in the slightest. Now if a Nazi went around eradicating Jews I would boycott the game just as if a KKK member went around shooting African Americans I would boycott the game.

I'm totally against racism, which is why I find it sad people are wasting their time in all the wrong places. I mean there are actual issues like the majority of mainstream rap music, which advocates greed, ignorance, the use of derogatory words, and stories of how it's cool to kill people. Something that's actually diluting the youth, and keeping a race of people down, and has somehow become not only acceptable, but fashionable as well.

Did anyone even actually care to watch the trailer, and really listen to THE VERY FIRST line of dialogue? "Casualties continue to mount of the long years I have struggled. More, and more I find myself wondering if it's all worth fighting for? Who knows?" Does this really sound like a man who with an easy conscious who enjoys killing? This is a man who has fought for humanities sake for longer than he can remember, is questioning everything, and almost lost all hope. All this in a few simple sentences of dialogue for those who cared to actually listen, but it must be so much easier to ignore the facts, and throw self righteous fists in all the wrong directions.

[allforcalisto]

I know you probably know i've posted in topic similar to this and i dont care.

about 20% of what people are saying on this thread and parts of what this tool wrote in his article, are veering in an ugly direction.

there's just plain racism where guys are talking about black people and chicken and obama on the first page, and the d**Khead who wrote this article

dude it makees tons more sense to compare the situation in nazi time germany with slavery. the fact that jews were classed as second class citizens. But after many were killed the outcry led to an immense amount of shame with europeans and americans and empathy toward jews. The images of the dying jewish children and adults all piled up did something that didnt happen with blacks in america. Emancipation happened piecemeal.

I want you to tell me why comparing jewish slavery to Atlantic slave trade slavery is so stupid, and why you wont do it again.
Lets look at causality shall we. Was the state of israel not supported and greatly bolstered by the english and americans? did the one drop rule happen with jews(in germany yes, in america?) did jim crow happen with jews (i'm aware really messed things have happened btw)

what i'm trying to get at is idiots like yourself like to think that when slavery ended BANG every single black person in america had the exact same opportunities as whites they all got jobs but they were too lazy and kept bitc****g about being slaves. Idiot. Many blacks back then had house negro mentality, but they weren't allowed to go to colleges (which is why historically black colleges were invented) not because of black separatism kicked it off. Cause and effect. Now think about it if generations of ALL black people in the states had no jobs whats gonna happen to the descendants? shame, self-doubt, anger, and poverty is gonna get passed down.

get the f*** used to it, people who happened to be white started this american history and we're all dealing with it. There's no way any rational human being could spin it. "omg blacks kept blacks as slaves" ---__---. yes cause the blacks who did sell slaves to whites represented exactly how all blacks in africa felt? they weren't self-seeking c*nts
Blacks were powerless when they were taken to the usa how could they of had any part in the history of their own condition.

As i said before why would all those black people who've been emancipated choose not to find work, and better themselves? I dont want black ppl thinking its ok to be complacent and use slavery as an excuse for their own apathy and nihilism, but i also don't whites thinking that the ghetto's that exist in the states is something the descendants of those living around during jim crow created

[7h3ultim8p00]

@ The Closing.

Dude, did you even READ my post? I could care less about which example of slavery I used because that is irrelevant. My main point is that you would not see this game from the same point of view as a black person who has experienced racism would, and so you should not be insensitive to their views because you haven't been through what they have been. Instead, the more insensitive you are towards them, the worser things become, because you are downplaying their emotions and in a sense downplaying the injustice they have been through.

Reading comprehension ftw.

[The Closing]

I wanted to keep things in the grey with this issue to be as non biased as possible, but I would know all about racism since I am in-fact Jewish. People say ignorant sh*t all the time, but I don't let it get to me one bit because if I did I'd be giving into their ignorance. You can't go off on some semi notion you have that you think something is racist without facts because in return that brings up touchy issues from people on all sides for no reason at all, and usually starts an unnecessary race war like it has already started on a small scale here. You don't know what's truly in the hearts, and minds of people. What's sad is people are seeing this in black, and white instead of, "wow this is another video game where people get shot." The point I was trying to make was about the context of the situation, and putting it into perspective. The creators who aren't even white have white main characters due to who they think their largest target audience is, and the fact that there are majority of zombies are black is due to location, because there is a lot of folk lore, and superstition in a place like that would tie in well with a series like RE. If you listen to the creators their main goal was a new location that totally changes the perspective. Unless he's wearing a kkk or nazi uniform it's no worse than any other game given the context, and the background of the game. Then I hear people claiming how they're not going to buy this game because they're going to make a stand!?! then "may" very well go off, and buy the newest 50 Cent game, and cd or whoever is hip these days because they're giving none of this real thought.

Another point that needs to be made is contrary to what people may want to believe is we're still animals, and from the very beginning it's been a dog it dog world, and we're just now armed with the tools necessary to tackle that beast. This means people's ancestors from EVERY SINGLE walk of life has their extremely dark moments that everyone would like to forget about, but can't because people are still dwelling in the past instead of manning up, and moving on about things THEY JUST CAN'T CHANGE. It's one thing if you have cold hard facts, but if not don't make an issue out of it because there are plenty of things still to this day that are blatantly racial that still need handling, and without facts you're not going to make any difference.

Honestly people need to watch a little South Park, and they might learn to laugh at all this silly none sense, which Is what I should have done in the first place. I know now that it was wrong for me to even give into this silly issue, and post on here about this because there's just too many ways for it to get blown out of proportion on all sides like it has, and honestly whoever started this issue in the first place is just an instigator who wants attention, and site hits.

This whole RE5 is zombracial issue is complete bullsh*t, I'm done.

[momo08]

One thing that amazes me on this RE5 topic is how Black people are accused of calling this game Racist. Truth be told, black people DON'T really care. So people should really stop coming with new ways to draw attention to themselves by writing BS.

Stop "ACCUSING" Black people of calling this game racist. How many Black people do YOU physically know that call this game racist? I bet you won't be able to count five.

Know what? Capcom shouldn't have touched Africa, because it'll give ignorant people ideas.....Especially ideas to write about Africa, the Africa that they only know through the media.....Hence this comment.

All on the continent where as many as 1/3 of the population is dying from Aids, millions are starving, and Genocide runs rampant and largely unchecked. If the game weren't about shooting them, we'd likely have no problem, but, this is Resident Evil...

[Chris_GTR1]

what i dont get is how does killing black people in hiati have anything to do with resident evil? yea its voodoo, whichcraft or w/e but that has nothing to do with the virus the umbrella corperation made. how does this fit into the RE story? the virus was only in raccoon city and it was sealed off. i just dont understand the story anymore.

[kingOVsticks]

its in Africa....and its capcom,stuff doesn't have to make since why was there a game where a dwarf who where tights who beats up a hip hop rhino and a game where a skinny hero can surf a missle idk but maybe capcom is nuts but hey they make good games.

[Venomous_1]

Thats what people don't get it's a game Gamers understand the people on N4G understand but it's the people on the street the normal regular guy girl politician thats not playing games that happens to see a trailer then makes and assumption that it's racist.

We Comment alot in here on N4G but we are actually not changing anything we need to get out there educate the masses the person who says the game is racist clearly has no idea that there is no intention of racism but the Fact is that the game is set in Africa because of the it is said that the Origin of mankind comes from there. These are people affected by a virus. not just some random guy walking around killing people in Africa.

If people wanna criticize games they need to do there homework and research and see what previous RE games are about in the first place.

The Biggest problem at the end of the day is the fact that us gamers we know the truth but because of media blowing things out of proportion games get delayed banned edited. And then Gamers waiting in anticipation never get the game.

It all comes down to assumptions and not being well informed and/or not doing your job researching and/or trying to catch the limelight which happens regularly.

Peace [Btw:RE5 will Rock no matter what they say]

[trolling b1tch]

i dont think u guys get y resident evil is being called racist, your just trying 2 protect it without knowing what resident evil did wrong. think about it... theres no good black character in the entire series and dont mention that 1 black guy that died 10 min in2 the game... i think the japanese are just racist to begin with and they are sterotypes.

[jax07]

The closing might be inbred, and on top of this it would be no different than the game being set in Isreal, playing as a German shooting Jewish zombies. It is not a literally a clansman shooting blacks everyone can see that. It is the history behind it and I repeat, the HISTORY. Has anyone heard of the Rape of Nanking? Look it up and ask yourself if Capcom would make a RE game based in China and why? Stop being morons people and defending this obviously stupid desicion on Capcoms part. Also you act like there are droves of black people angry about this game and there is not. The people speaking out against it arent really mad they just see this as disturbing.

[mayberry]

racism has a definition that has been totally watered down and overused far too long!
First I am sorry if someone had already stated this fact, as i have only read the first page of responses! Also, i'd like to state I am "black" (whatever that means!- I'm Louisiana creole i.e. African and French)
Racism is the conviction that a certain race is of a lower class of life than the norm.
I truly believe that is what racism is, hence,I will bye the hell out of this game day one! 1. because I am a fan of the series. 2. It clearly doesn't declassify Africans as a lower species of human being! NOT RACIST!

[Lionsguard]

Hell at least black people get a part in the game, this game was made in Japan and we have yet to see an asian protagonist or even an asian zombie...I mean seriously wtf..I demand Samanosuke from Onimusha as an unlockable character.

[momo08]

Is wondering why people have to state that "they are black" to prove a point.

[PLiPhaze]

You should also be wondering why so many people feel the need to say "blacks" are doing X or Y, when clearly not EVERY SINGLE black person has found issue with the game being racist & at best most of us are saying we can see how the TRAILER may be CONSTRUED as slightly uncomfortable for those who do not know about the series.

[lucas107]

I didn't like in the article the guy said skinheads would like the game. well skinheads are not always racist. there are racists skinheads and non racists skinheads. the term skinheads was originally coined for the black and british dock workers who shaved there heads and wore big boots. skinhead should not be a racist term. ignorant people use it as one and ignorant racists call themselves one.

[Percy]

Im almost positive the developers said this is not in africa. Just because someone is black does not mean they are african.

[Garrison]

At least of what I've actually read about the game everywhere else. In Haiti there is a way of "zombification" through the "santero" culture supposedly. And there is almost to none white colored people in this place as opposed to africa where there is lots.

[Defectiv3_Detectiv3]

It's true, when they make a game where White people kill Tan people(a la COD4 where you kill Muslims) and no one gives a damn. But seriously, as if Americans don't have a distorted enough view of the muslim faith, and the 2% of the Iraqi Population that actually make up Al Quaeda(the people we are going to war with that actually have no connection to the other branch of Al Quaeda that orchestrated the 9/11 attacks).

But going back to R5, the whole Zombie Mythos actually has its roots in the African culture, so it kind of makes sense in a weird sort of way.

Obviously, the devs aren't going for a racist angle. It is not until you make the connection that this is racially provacative that it becomes so. We can not overcome race until a white man can kill a black man without people automatically alluding to race and vice versa.

[7h3ultim8p00]

Let me try to clarify to you why people think this game is racist:
If slavery had never happened, there would be NO problem with this game. The reason people are so upset over this is because of the HISTORY between whites and africans. It is not hypocrisy. If Capcom made a game where you were a german shooting jews, people would have a problem with that, because of the HISTORY between jews and germans. Do you get it now? I hope you do, because I find the fact that you are bringing up tan people in COD4 very very juvenile and borderline stupid.

[Morgue]

I remember a long time ago when all the white farmers in Africa were murdered and their land was reclaimed, now you have blacks killing blacks in Africa via ethnic clensing or because they oppose Muguabe. Some blacks who are Muslims but yet they're Muslims brothers in the Middle East don't give a rat's ass. As a matter of fact I think blacks are killing eachother over here in the states as well. Listen RE 5 is not like waiting for the Rodney King verdict, people aren't going too start large scale riots when this game comes out. It's the game media or dumb no life bloggers that start topics like this and then everyone gets sucked in. Listen if Chris Redfield was black and went into a white gated community that was suspected of having zombies, blacks would be saying they're being stereotyped. It's a revolving door discussion.

[gamer4life33]

Wow, so this is what is has come to people. I don't even know what to say about this except we are in serious sh*t if people are actually b*tching and whining about a freakin' game being racist.