Was Tecmo’s whitewashing of a Dead or Alive character racist? Probably

MWEB GameZone writes: "It’s obvious that Lisa was originally African American or Latina and that she’s now been made white. On the face of it, it would appear that Tecmo did, indeed, whitewash this character.

"But was it racism?"

[Sillicur]

This is really tough, I wonder if it is really racism.

[pinkcrocodile75]

I think the author needs euthenising.

I've read stupid, pointless, even offensive articles online but never have a found an utterly pointless article try to dress it self up as "Holier the Thou".

This is a video game, I don't care about whether a character has been altered to white, black or an elephant with six breasts... Actually that last one is pretty cool.

Lets not forget that this is a game, this isn't an indictment on the studio or the artists.

This is an indictment on the cretin who wrote the article in the first place!!

... and to answer the pointless question.

NO IT ISN'T RACIST, IT'S A GAME, DON'T BE SO BLOODY STUPID!!

Was that too much?

[Gazondaily]

Hold up a min. You can't just Michael Jackson a character just like that and expect no questions to be asked.

This is some weird reverse tanning situation. If Itagaki is making these accusations then I think we should take them into consideration.

"NO IT ISN'T RACIST, IT'S A GAME, DON'T BE SO BLOODY STUPID!! "

Eh? A game can't have racism? THAT sounds stupid to me.

[Lord_Sloth]

I'm just trying to figure out who thinks this woman is white.

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/mgjQD...

[pinkcrocodile75]

@Septic - "Hold up a min. You can't just Michael Jackson a character just like that and expect no questions to be asked"

Yes you can!.

When the film Annie was remade recently, nobody thought twice about a black Annie, since she was an orphan it had no impact on the story so was fine.

Please tell me how changing a character in a fighting game from one colour to another changes the game in any way?

""NO IT ISN'T RACIST, IT'S A GAME, DON'T BE SO BLOODY STUPID!! "

"Eh? A game can't have racism? THAT sounds stupid to me""

It's a game with strict censorship laws in place in each respected country or union.

Opinions may differ from country to country regarding content however this isn't South Africa imprisoning Nelson Mandella, segregation or equal rights.

This is a model in a fighting game being changed. Itagaki has a right to his opinion but opinions are like @RSE H0LES... Everyones got one.

This is just mine!

[Bimkoblerutso]

Yeah, I think we've been so overrun with false accusations of racism and sexism that gamers have taken a reactionary stance even when things SHOULD be called out or examined.

Even if you don't necessarily see this as racist, it is a little...weird. Did they change her color for promos because they thought it would sell the image of the game better?

[Mr Pumblechook]

Lisa Hamilton aka La Mariposa is Latin American.

Wikia says she is a luchadora (Mexican wrestler).
http://deadoralive.wikia.co...

If you compare the two pics her skin tone is definitely lighter in the more recent one. I don't think this was done to 'whitewash' her, I don't share the belief that Tecmo did this as a calculated move move to increase sales as the Dead or Alive games feature other ethnic characters. Maybe it was just a change by the game's art director, as no-doubt other characters are modified between instalments. But then maybe Itagaki knows more about the motivations of the current team. I would have thought that perhaps a Latina character would have a Latina name, but I don't follow DoA lore, maybe it explains this.

At the start of this video it shows Lisa in Dead or Alive Final Round. Her darker skin tones contrasts again the white skin of Tina Armstrong.
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

When I see racism I will be the first to call it out, but it is important you do this with good well-founded reason, and don't flippantly call people or companies 'racist.' But I don't think there is quite enough evidence here.

[BattleAxe]

Would it be racist if they turned a character who was originally white, and made them black? Probably not, because there is a double standard in today's society. Keep the PC nonsense out of gaming.

[Spotie]

Not seeing how the article can admit that race is treated differently in Japan, and yet imply that this changing of a character's color is racist based on Western standards.

Isn't that a little (a lot) contradictory?

To make matters worse, they post the launch trailer, where I'm 100% certain I see a dark-skinned female both doling out the harshness and getting her butt handed to her. This female wasn't presented as one of the new characters, so unless I missed some other such woman over the last few iterations, that could ONLY be Lisa.

Meaning the article answers its own question(not with the stupid answer it also gives in the title) with its content, all the while acting as if that question still remains.

In other words: this was done for hits.

[rainslacker]

"Isn't that a little (a lot) contradictory? "

The term is ethnocentrism. It's an actual term to describe this, and it's extremely common for people and the media to do such a thing. It's an interesting topic, I encourage anyone who is interested in culture to go look it up.

Dunno if I'd call his thoughts contradictory, as it just makes two statements about different cultures. I don't find it racist though. Racism is defined as

"the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races."

Since there is absolutely nothing to say that this change was made due to this belief it shouldn't be called racism, nor should the accusations be made.

It's possible that the art director, the producer, the director, or focus groups just found the lighter skin more appealing. I personally would have never thought about the change were I asked my opinion in a focus group, because I never thought Lisa was black. I honestly just thought she was one of those heavy beach going tanned women, mostly due to her bleached blonde hair color.

[Blaze929]

Let's face it, racism is real - and exists. Still.

[FullmetalRoyale]

I still haven't accepted there are people even slightly different than myself.

[ShaunCameron]

And it's as old as humanity itself. Ethnocentrism and tribalism were its original forms.

[rezzah]

I think of it more as idolizing. To be specific, perceiving the fairer skin pigmentation to be more attractive.

That's their own opinion, and their own game to do with as they please.

[Bigpappy]

I have the X1 version, and she still has her color from what I have player. So this makes me concern as to what Itagaki is referring to, or has he lost his mind. Don't know if its platform specific or in a particular arena.

[lord zaid]

Can't speak to the game itself, but in the promo pic for La Mariposa, she is clearly white. Or at the very least her skin has been lighten a lot.

[IcicleTrepan]

It looks like a white person with a suntan had the suntan removed.

[rainslacker]

In the brighter levels with lots of "natural" sunlight, or stadium lighting, her skin looks like she hasn't tanned in a while. In the darker scenes her skin actually looks a bit lighter in comparison to other games in the series, but this is likely because the devs worked on more realistic looking skin, so the light is probably a bit more natural when being rendered.

[HanCilliers]

Just thinking abt the gaming climate & all the talk over the past years re diversity in gaming - then it was unwise to do this.

[XXXL]

People should protest. There's not enough of that goin on today. PC bulls***

[skydragoonity]

Racism is everywhere. Used to it sadly, still won't stop me from playing and enjoying myself

[DragoonsScaleLegends]

What so changing a black character to white is racist but changing a white character to black is not lol... makes lots of sense.

[XXXL]

By certain peoples logic, yes. It's sad.

[hazelamy]

no, changing one of many white characters into a black person is one thing, making the only black characters in the whole game/movie/whatever white is another matter entirely.

would people be defending this if there were only two white characters in the game and one or both of them were turned black?

[DragoonsScaleLegends]

I don't like any characters that have already been created being changed. But it happens so often with white characters that I don't care that much anymore and definitely don't care when a black character is turned white. It doesn't matter how many characters are already of a certain race, changing them is changing them. My favorite Marvel and DC characters have been changing race a lot in the past couple years and I no longer care about what race they are anymore. If you are white you have to learn not to care when your favorite heroes go dark or you are labeled racist apparently.

[rdgneoz3]

@drpepperdude Yep, and then you got Thor becoming a woman... A character based on Norse mythology who is the "son of Odin", is now a woman... Apparently you can change mythology... But if you complain, you're either racist or sexist.

[hazelamy]

actually, Thor hasn't become a woman.
i don't klnow why people keep spouting that at some sort of example of the "evils of feminism"

it's just not bloody true.

Thor the son of Odin is still around, he just can't wield the hammer any more as he not worthy for some reason.
there is a woman who now wields Mjolnir and has taken the title Thor, but the person called Thor Odinson is still around, he just isn't the god of thunder nor wielder of the hammer any more.
he now uses his old axe Jarnbjorn.

maybe you should check your facts before you go off on a "sjw/feminist/white knight/feminazis are ruining everything" whine.

i wouldn't call you sexist for complaining about that, i'd call you an idiot.

[rainslacker]

Funny about Thor. Never knew his character was based on being able to wield the hammer, nor did I know that his ability to wield the hammer is what made him a God. Thought the comic was about him, not his hammer, and not about this new woman. Given that Thor is the titular character, you'd think that the stories would mostly focus on him.

It's like watching Dexter only to end up watching a series about some waitress who happens to serve him lunch every day.

The female Thor is being marketed as "the new Thor". It's rather pompous of you to call people idiots for not knowing the stories of Thor, and what's going on with the series, but don't blame him since Marvel is more than happy to keep that PC good will for what was a failing comic, and the character only continued to exist due to the Avengers.

I don't fault Marvel. They want to diversify their comics. Whatever, they're welcome. But two Iconic characters, Thor now focusing on a female main character, and Captain America is now black(and yes it's a different guy). But people can't complain without being called racist or sexist...or idiots, when their biggest problem is that the stories are now focused on something other than what they came to love. Marvel wants to go the diversity route, which is good. But they're half-assing it by trying to do it off the back of their already established IP's, instead of taking the risk to create something new. I also find it odd since Marvel already has tons of strong female and black main characters who are well respected within it's universe.

[Jag-T1000]

Lisa is not supposed to be black anyway. I think she's latin. Maybe a little light brown, but I'm OK with her new look.

[Shineon]

There are black Latinas in Brazil,Cuba,Puerto Rico and even Barbados

[ShaunCameron]

I think Lisa's bi-racial. And with a name like Lisa Hamilton, it's most likely.

[Commodore]

When people throw around the word racist anymore I just ignore them. Most overused word for the last few years. Racism in videogames now? Get the hell outta here.

[Activemessiah]

I wouldn't say it's blatant racism.. just dumb business decisions from Tecmo as always.

[izumo_lee]

I'm not sure why Tecmo used that pic for their promo of Lisa but in game she still has darkish skin. It may be the lighting in the stage or something that caused the pic to look like that but i assure she does not look like that in the game.

Either Itagaki is upset that his 'baby' is still successful without him & that he has yet to do anything remotely to replicate that success.

[Duke19]

Just getting ready for the new skin-color DLC packs

[Gamer777]

I find it weird that a japanese company would lighten a characters skin color since alot of japaense people are rather dark (look at Shigeru Miyamoto and Tomonobu Itagaki).Other games have had character skin color changed before. Sergeant Johnson much lighter skinned in Halo 3 than he was in Halo 2. Also the character Lisa seems to be completely racially ambiguous (at least to me); there would of been no controversy whatever if Itagaki didn't point out her change in skin tone.

[Bigpappy]

May be that's why he got so upset. I read that there was a stigma against darker skin Japanese in Japan.

@Jag-T1000: What's with this Latina stuff? Are you people trying to tell us there is no such thing as a Black Latina? I happen to actually know several. Actual know one who is black as mid night who also told me he ain't black. Black is race, but also skin color. Lisa has both whether or not she is Latina. Okay is it ok to turn a Black Latina to a white Latina and White to Black. When the charater has been Dark or white in all previous release. Anyone familiar with the game would obviously quest "why the change?"

[spicelicka]

Why didn't they just make it into a new character

[blackblades]

Wth is wrong with you people she still look black to me same for Zack. Ya probably altered it some how.

[dcj0524]

Exactly. On my PS4 she's still Latina and Zack is still black

[Shineon]

Yeah she a yellow one now

[WESKER2015]

she looks like a pretty african american woman to me, whats the problem?, to be honest i find this whole article dumbist, its rubbish like this that undermines true racism in the world, get a clue or leave the planet, you are making people dumber

[bigodon]

lisa skin was black
they ****ed their character make it less black than original created

this is something like if crapcom pick chun-li and make her skin black, the question is not racism, and about to not mess with orignal characters, or make some male character being transgen

[dcj0524]

She's actually latina. Just saying

[blackblades]

Not every African are darkskin.

[Maxor]

This guy probably doesn't even play the damn game and should they change her back, he'll probably demand a breast reduction and have her dress like a nun.

[hazelamy]

you talking about Itagaki?

because if you are, you're way wrong.

he's the guy who made the series what it is with the sex.

so, no, he wouldn't give them smaller breasts.
i could see a nun costume though, a very skimpy one. ^_^

and @smoothtop below.

you know they're Japanese right?

the "they're oppressing the white people" thing doesn't apply here, if it ever does.

[Sm00thop]

Whole racism thing is ridiculous nowadays, its like its only possible for white people to be racist which is stupid.

[StifflerK]

Instead of looking at cherry picked screenshots why not look at actual gameplay?

Vs Christie (on a bright misty outdoor stage)
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Vs Tina (on an indoor stage)
https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Still think she looks white???

I'm guessing the writer hasn't played DOA 5 much , if at all. Lisa's skin tone difference with the other characters isn't exactly hard to miss.

[kstap33]

Was Michael Jackson racist when he did it? 😁

[WhyHate]

It's a shame that the larger gaming media have not taking notice of this and done their jobs as journalist and not just promote / market video games. It's great to see Itagaki still being a strong voice in the gaming industry. Just maybe this will jolt the wider gaming media to cover diversity issues. We shall see gaming journalism tends to shy away from topics like these...

[il-JumperMT]

Lisa was never black and she is not white.

The is Latina.

[ShaunCameron]

Try bi-racial. A la Alicia Keys.

[Jag-T1000]

I don't think so. Think Penelope Cruz. A la Nacho Libre.

[Villain528]

Who cares? And people were outraged about Annie being Black. People are outraged about Human torch being Black in the New Fantastic Four Movie. In some cities they put up movie posters of Annie the Movie and replaced the Black Girl with a Non Black girl who wasn't even in the movie. Sony emails were leaked saying that the reason the Movie equalizer didnt do well (200 milly worldwide) because Denzel Washington was the Star and the numbers were down because he was Black. So Whitewashing isnt fake.

[Villain528]

Name 5 iconic Black Video game characters? How many damn Video Games have been made? Name 5. Name 10 Latino Characters. Name 20 Asian characters. Now name 50+ white iconic game characters. I really dont care. Just dont downplay someone elses view point because u dont think its valid. Almost like ur saying if everyone doesnt think like me they are dumb. Which is Dumb

[rainslacker]

Black Characters(off the top of my head)

Cole from GeOW
Barret from FFVII
Lee from TWD
Zak from DOA
Sheva from Resident Evil
Sazh from FFXIII
Nilin from Remember Me

Latino Characters(had to look up a couple because I couldn't remember all their names).

Lisa from DOA...apparently
Dominic from GeOW
Carmen Sandiego from games of the same name.
Sarah from TWD Season 2
Guacamelee
Consuela from FG:BTTMV(probably a bad example but she's funny)
Billy from Call of Juarez
Rico from Just Cause
Eddy from UC
Isabella from Dead Rising

The other two would obviously be easier given that games are made to appeal to the majority of their respective audiences. Japanese and Korean games obviously have a lot of asian characters. American games have a lot of rather generic white male characters in around 30 years old. I actually see more variety in black or ethnic character representation than I do in asian and white characters.

[Enigma_2099]

.. depends on their reason for changing her.

[level 360]

No matter how shallow the reasoning is it's still from black/brown-to-white and that for sure is clear.