Raven's Cry developer outburst over political correctness harming storytelling

[Graal]

The Raven's Cry developers had this outburst recently and I'm curious what people think of it?

I haven't played the game but I can understand and agree with where they're coming from. It's a game about pirates. Who the hell thinks pirates were liberals, being sensitive towards race, gender and sexual orientation? Is it absolutely necessary for games' stories and their characters to be politically correct? I definitely don't think so.

 

[Graal]

SOrry, this is the Hatred devs. Could a kind admin please change the thread title to reflect that, please?

 

[The_Imp_ZA]

EDIT: Nevermind, didn't see your update. I think my comment still stands. Acting like that is unprofessional. If I go and put on my tinfoil hat, I'd say that they just want more press. All the outlets will report on this, just like they do with everything regarding Hatred.

The bigger question is, how did you confuse Raven Cry with Hatred?

Well, the game isn't very good.

It looks quite terrible honestly. Also, I mean that's not being very professional. They could make their argument heard without acting like little children. So... well done?

 

[Graal]

I'm not confusing it, the Hatred developers are discussing Raven's Cry.

Yes, they could probably have said it a bit more diplomatically, but does that really detract from the point they're making? Where is the line where political correctness and artistic integrity intersects? Should a story about pirates avoid containing racism, homophobia or sexism because of 21st century sensibilities, even though it is historically accurate?

Note, this discussion is not about the technical quality of the game in question, but about elements of the narrative. Please don't derail it by obfuscating the two issues.

 

[BeoTeK]

Well Gamespot gave it a 1/10 and discuss it in their latest iteration of The Lobby, give it a watch!

 

[The_Imp_ZA]

Yes, they could probably have said it a bit more diplomatically, but does that really detract from the point they're making? Where is the line where political correctness and artistic integrity intersects? Should a story about pirates avoid containing racism, homophobia or sexism because of 21st century sensibilities, even though it is historically accurate?

Note, this discussion is not about the technical quality of the game in question, but about elements of the narrative. Please don't derail it by obfuscating the two issues.

Is the story they're telling actually any good though? Or it is just being 'edgy' for the sake of it? Throwing in tits and gore (I'm generalizing, or racism and sexism as mentioned in the post) doesn't make your game any more "mature". Because from what I've read, almost everyone is criticizing the game on multiple fronts.

I think the technical quality of the game goes hand in hand with this. It becomes harder to suspend disbelief when you're constantly being taken out of the experience. The game has had a long and messy development, and it shows in the final product.

 

[Snare]

Is the story they're telling actually any good though? Or it is just being 'edgy' for the sake of it? Throwing in tits and gore (I'm generalizing, or racism and sexism as mentioned in the post) doesn't make your game any more "mature". Because from what I've read, almost everyone is criticizing the game on multiple fronts.

I think the technical quality of the game goes hand in hand with this. It becomes harder to suspend disbelief when you're constantly being taken out of the experience. The game has had a long and messy development, and it shows in the final product.

I agree. Although they should be allowed to add politically incorrect content if it adds value to the game and if it serves a purpose beyond just shock value then by all means they should.

However they first need to focus on making a good game and then deal with the rest of the issues presented.

 

[Grievous]

I agree. Although they should be allowed to add politically incorrect content if it adds value to the game and if it serves a purpose beyond just shock value then by all means they should.

However they first need to focus on making a good game and then deal with the rest of the issues presented.

If its about pirates, and the pirates act like pricks, I assume its in line with how pirates were. It's kind of like making a game on WW2 with Nazis, and then complaining because the Nazis are homophobic and hate Jews.

 

[Snare]

If its about pirates, and the pirates act like pricks, I assume its in line with how pirates were. It's kind of like making a game on WW2 with Nazis, and then complaining because the Nazis are homophobic and hate Jews.

I agree with what you're saying but perhaps I phrased it badly. What I mean is that, say, in the example of the nazis; they have characters whom are extremely homophobic and anti-semitic to use your example. If these characters display these traits properly for the reflected attitudes at the time; then we can say that it's an effective usage of historical understanding within the design elements of the game and is thus is a good thing. However if you have the same characters simply spouting off these negative things for no particular reason; then we can say that its a poor design choice simply added for shock and awe.

The point is that game should include things that add to it's overall value of the game. Even if the included negative mores are accurate? If they detract from the value of the game we must consider carefully how they can be adapted in an appropriate fashion so as to add value to the game.