Sucker Punch's Ghost of Tsushima is Unapologetically Japanese

Though developed by a Western studio, the game takes influence from Japanese history and culture to make its feudal Japanese setting feel authentic.

[feenix-5]

And whats wrong with that??

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Who had a problem with it?

[Harkins1721]

Resetera will find a way and make it an issue.

[Sono421]

Ask the SJW's...

"not every developer working on the game is Japanese though! So it's cultural appropriation! REEEEEEEEEEEE"

[VenomUK]

@KwietStorm. Some of the people from cbr.com

[darthv72]

@sono, I never understood that phrase. I mean do you have to be of something to like that something? I like Chinese food and I'm not Chinese, I like rap music and I'm not black, I like Japanese games and I'm not Japanese.

[WorldGamer]

Good morning/afternoon all. In an attempt to stem the rampant speculation as to why cultural appropriations can be a problem, I have taken the liberty of providing you all with an actual definition of cultural appropriations below:

https://www.dictionary.com/...

We can try to shut down the conversation by calling it SJW hysteria, but there is a real issue behind calling this out. A Non-Native American person dressing up in traditional Native American garb because its "cute" or "funny" is offensive because there is a sense that the history, meaning, or importance is being trivialized. A Non-Native American person showing deference and respect by engaging a person of Native American descent, and allowing them to introduce you to their culture and customs would not be considered appropriation and likely would be considered respectful and acceptable. Easy right?

I'm sure Sucker Punch (Ghost of Tsushima) has many Japanese historians and cultural experts who are working with the non-Japanese individuals to ensure things are kept accurate and does justice to the history that is being portrayed. Sometimes it's important to try and put yourself in someone else's shoes.

[Tapani]

The first thing my Japanese wife said ”Samurai? This guy looks like a ninja. Have they mixed them up?”

But to be fair, later in the trailer he was a proper samurai, she said. She’s pretty knowledgeable about the history of Samurai and Ninja, and there’s a bit of western fiction in the mix. Which is absolutely fine! And she is extremely excited about this game.

[SamPao]

thats when he is going around as the ghost I guess? yeah

[KiRBY3000]

Isnt the plot about a Samurai going the Ninja way? In the lastest trailer you can see his mentor telling him that stealth isnt honorable.

[Tapani]

@KiRBY3000

If it is, then that would be cool actually. It is an entirely different training and culture. Many of the ninjas were actually farmers that used kusarigama which is a farming tools and sickle combined basically, and they didn't have black or dark suits and masks (some rumors say this notion comes from Hokusai's painting where he used Kuroko dressed as a ninja, a theatrical stagehands who wore black so they would not be distinguished from the background of the stage.) They were also spies mostly, but also every now and then special forces, who used even rifles and pretty much all weapons they could get.

If Ghost of Tsushima goes deep into that kind of historical stuff, it would be super cool.

[rainslacker]

Ninja's were often thought of as ghosts, and some historic Japanese text has them referred to as such. Samurai were a high level social class in feudal Japan, and Ninja were thought to have been recruited from lower class civilians....although some of this is speculation. It's unlikely, without some story element, that if he were a Ninja, that he'd become a Samurai, as the samurai bushido code put honor above all else. Samurai were born into the social class, although one could be raised up as a samurai, which would have been necessary due to wars and what not. Ninja weren't considered to be honorable during the time period, and most of the way we see Ninja nowadays is based on modern representations which almost diefy them and make them these legendary figures that feudal Japan revered, and portrays them as extremely disciplined with large groups of them all training in one place like monks. There are only two areas of Japan where they were thought to have been trained in such a way, and it was likely much less apparent than having a monestary style school....but I digress.

If anything, he went from Samurai to Ninja, or Shinobi, or something like it, as the nature of ninja training wasn't something that was condoned until the last couple hundred years or so of feudal Japan.

Edit: I wasn't aware of the plot element that Kirby said, in which case, the ghost part makes more sense. Probably a double meaning since it can also refer to the death of the samurai he used to be.

[MONOLITHICIDE]

Absolutely nothing. Actually one of the main reasons i am most excited for the game.

[Muzikguy]

What's it supposed to be American? That would be fake as hell, and probably use guns instead of swords lol

[isarai]

As opposed to " Apologetically Japanese"?...

I don't even... what?

[KwietStorm_BLM]

You guys don't know what unapologetically _____ means?

[isarai]

Who me?

I know exactly what it means but in this instance it's used incorrectly. This term is used to describe someone not apologizing for a scenario that you would usually apologize for, but who would apologize for being Japanese?

[KwietStorm_BLM]

but who would apologize for being Japanese?

It doesn't mean literally to not apologize. Unapologetically means authentic, true, standing your ground, not faking it for attention, not phoning it in to appease certain audiences... As the article says, and as we already know, Sucker Punch isn't Japanese, but they're making a very Japanese game, without attempting to dilute the authenticity of it's culture.

[isarai]

Merriam Webster Definition:

"not apologetic : offered, put forward, or being such without apology or qualification"

So literally, to not apologize. And to say someone isnt apologizing suggests they are in, or presenting a situation you might otherwise apologize for, bringing me back to my first point, why would someone apologize for being Japanese?

It's just a title that doesn't make much literal sense unless you're suggesting being Japanese or themed as such is something you might apologize for.

[DaReapa]

@Kwiet

Wow. Don't understand why you got the disagrees. What you've stated is true. There was nothing negative about the context of the article.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

You're talking about the definition of the word unapologetic. I'm talking about the *phrase* unapologetically _____, which isn't mutually exclusive to the root, apologetic or unapologetic. You say it doesn't make literal sense. That's why I said it doesn't mean to literally not apologize. Phrases don't always follow the same definitions as individual words, and you can insert several different cultures into the discussion, where unapologetically black, Mexican, or Muslim gets the point across.

[isarai]

"You're talking about the definition of the word unapologetic. I'm talking about the *phrase*"

https://media.tenor.com/ima...

[Sono421]

LMFAO @isarai that got me, had no idea what to expect when clicking that... this KwietStorm guy is either so dumb he can't even realize how wrong he is, OR he knows he's wrong and is attempting to do damage control but failing very hard... based on his latest response i'm going to guess it's the first one, I mean look at the idiocy I just read

"unapologetically black, Mexican, or Muslim gets the point across."

My IQ is dropping rapidly, I need to stop reading his responses.

[UltraNova]

Kwiet,

You're being unapologetically stubborn and you know it :-)

[InUrFoxHole]

@Sono
I think it's funny you assume kwietstorn is a guy... From my experience only women will argue a point for this long, even when they're wrong 😉

[Thrash_Ketchum]

I've learned thru out the years when people want to be right about something they wont accept anything the other person has to say. The fact that your statement started an argument tells me these people want to be right. Seriously arguing over what? Semantics? You really shouldn't have to explain the phrase, anyone with critical thinking skills understands what you meant. Dont feed stupid people what they want.

[AK91]

You can't argue with stupid

[mixelon]

In this (and much) usage - Unapologetically just means - wears it on its sleeve. Outwardly very freaking japanese and not holding back. Unashamedly would also work. Doesn’t mean anyone else would or should be ashamed either..

Maybe there’s a cultural expectation /these terms have slightly different usage in different places?

[QuarkZ]

I wouldn't even try if I were you, it's clear those people think any word is to be taken literally and cannot be used for expressions where the sense can actually be diluted.

[spicelicka]

This is not even worth reporting. No shit, it's a game set in Japan.

[The_Sage]

I'm really looking forward to this.

[harmny]

What? No black characters? No Latinos?

[GameZenith]

Found the snowflake

[camel_toad]

@TomatoDragon

The real mystery is if GameZenith is doubling down on Harmny's sarcasm.

Discuss.

[CaitSith]

@GameZenith

Thumbs up, because you made me laugh.

[lonXionX]

If this is not based in japanese history, sjw wont be silent.

[Sidewinder-]

Heaven forbid they catch wind of the "Tales of the Otori" series.

[DafunkyRebel]

I swear to god if they make the game woke imma cough on every person at Sucker punch

[rainslacker]

I don't think the devs are, but I wouldn't be surprised if Kotaku or Polygon knock a couple points off because it doesn't have enough black Hispanic female lesbians who identify as intra-di-sexual aardvarks in it. Those people have rights too, and they are woefully under-represented in media about feudal Japan.

I'm wondering what the hash tag will be.

[moriarty1889]

yep, no ‘diversity’ to appease a certain crowd. im sure they will complain about that like they do every other game that isnt historically rewritten to cater to their narrative. there are always a few outraged idiots trying to ruin everything that comes out today wether it be films or games. the clown world we live in.

[Redemption-64]

Won't it be more appropriate to say. What? No straight white males? Given that, the Japanese are a minority in the West.

[Knushwood Butt]

While straight white males are indeed the enemy of the world, they still need representation in feudal Japan to maintain the pretence of inclusion, which was after all one of the key goals of the Tokugawa regime.

[Veneno]

Someone somewhere will outrage that a western studio is inspired by Japanese culture and wanted to make a work of art from it.

[rainslacker]

Can't remember what game it was, but someone was upset about a game that used a lot of American Indian culture. Or maybe that it didn't. Or maybe it was just some general discussion about how American Indians were represented. Was a "big" thing a while back....for some reason. I dunno, I forgot because no one really cares about this stuff that much to begin with, so once those that were upset got bored with being upset about it, they moved on to the next thing to be upset about.

[AnubisG]

It's fine. It's not based on European history. No need for different races to be in it. Only in medieval central european history needs to include all different races in it. Otherwise it's hateful and racist. /s

[ElementX]

I can't believe nobody has called out cultural appropriation yet

[goldwyncq]

You must not have seen E3 2018

[moriarty1889]

give them time, im sure they will.

[GameZenith]

Just you....

[Majinzo]

Why even mention it. People to focused on gender, race, and sex orientation. Let’s focus on the game: story , gameplay, etc . GAME STUFF

[GameZenith]

Well considering a bug draw to the game in terms of story, atmosphere and immersion is related to holding true to Japanese history/culture.....

[CrimsonWing69]

Gee, ya think so?

What the ever loving hell is up with some of these amateur sites? I feel like they’re stuck on stupid.

[AK91]

I'm so playing this game with the Japanese Dub.

[gamerben]

I wonder if this game will sell in japan because of its theme. Most western games dont besides really big stuff like gta

[jznrpg]

I would hope so.

[SLiSH83]

Yay we can locate the live animal grocery store that started the corona virus

[AnubisG]

Right, because Wuhan is in Japan huh?

[Tross]

I think you have your Asian countries mixed up.

[GrmpyolGamer]

Not muh thing

[tochi]

I think it's important for the subject of historical event the game is based upon.

--Spoiler Warning--
I don't want to spoil anything. But it should be OK to talk about how this 800 year old event has ended, right?
Do not read further, if you do not know anything about Japan and still somehow wish to play this game with a blank slate.

Frankly, I don't care how modern-day people would put this historical event into video game. However, there are certain people who are extremely sensitive to how others treat historical event that tied to the foundation of their society.
To cut the long story short, the event based on Ghost of Tsushima has ended with a huge surprise with Kamikaze. Yep, that Kamikaze, this is where Kamikaze was born. At the very last moment Japan about to lose, the divine winds (Kamikaze, actually huge hurricane) completely upset the odds, then played decisive role to win the war against Mongol. So the original meaning of Kamikaze became a part of national founding myth, sort of.

This is real Ghost of Tsushima to Japanese. The ghost came back when Japanese faced another overwhelmingly unfavorable odds against foreign powers in 20th century. You know this story, right? I don't know if they really believed it. But the story did inspire certain people in Japan at the dire situation, ended up putting the name to the suicidal militarily operation. This is the Kamikaze you know today.

I think Japanese gamer won't care how foreign people would interpret Kamikaze in any contexts. I mean they are used to it already. But I can't say the same thing for all Japanese, situation could be complicated. So it's better be looking "unapologetically Japanese".

[Tross]

Good. I love Japan.

[Gameplayer1]

Thank god it is!!! I think that everybody have dreamt about a open world game set in feudal Japan since ages,and here it is,the more Japanese ,the more authentic. All I can do is to applause!!!

[Rambokind]

As it should be!

[DFresh]

I'm so looking forward to this game.
I just hope Sucker Punch/Sony Worldwide Studios don't let SJWs/Feminists who don't play these types of games influence the creative process behind Ghost of Tsushima or other games in the future.

[Kaedro]

Did you realize that just now?

[SitRep_Critical]

Nioh is seems pretty "unapologetic-ally Japanese". I love Japanese culture

[ifrit_caress]

Great! I love Japanese themes.

[aaronaton]

I'm shocked noone in the media as flagged this project as cultural appropriation.
If it was a game featuring African slaves done by a a mostly 'white' developer, there would be an uproar.
Its seems like there different outrage rules for different races.
''Ahhh the Japanese and Chinese have it good, noone can culturally appropriate them"

[IRetrouk]

I kinda agree with what you are saying, but...

It's a game man, as long as they do their homework they should be good, they are owned by a Japanese company, sony would not let them make a game like this without their input.

What about all of the games from asian devs over the years that feature white and black people?, or stories based in the west? Are they not doing the same sort of thing? Why has nobody called out any asian devs for appropriation?

What about that french developer ubisoft that makes the assassin's creed games, set all over the world with different races etc featured? Whys that not an issue?

In the end, I have no issues with devs using other cultures etc to base their games on, as long as their homework is done on the subject and they use advisors, I see no issue, however with my examples I want to point out how onesided this whole appropriation argument can be.

People are too sensitive these days and make issues out of anything🤷‍♂️

[aaronaton]

thats what i'm saying, i aint got a problem with it at all. It just seems like double standards for media outlets like Kotaku to have not flagged this up yet.

[IRetrouk]

Sorry man, I thought that's what you ment and then second guessed myself and felt I should explain my view 👌👍

[Father__Merrin]

ghost of tsushima has amoungst the best graphics ive ever seen it looks amazing even on a base ps4 with its lowly 200w psu