Alex Hutchinson, creative director of the Assassin’s Creed series, has alleged that there is a “subtle racism” permeating the video game industry, in that Japanese developers aren’t criticised for their storytelling nearly as harshly as their Western competitors.
“It’s condescending to do this,” he said.
He goes on to note that a Japanese game which has a story that is “literally gibberish” will be praised by journalists, but a Western game like Gears of War will be torn to pieces by the same group.
“The way we see Assassin’s Creed 3 now is as a franchise, like Mario or Resident Evil, that will have its ups and downs,” Hutchinson said, referring to the lacklustre critical response to Assassin’s Creed: Revelations.
“There’s a subtle racism in the business, especially on the journalists’ side, where Japanese developers are forgiven for doing what they do. It’s condescending to do this.
“Just think about how many Japanese games are released where their stories are literally gibberish. Literally gibberish. There’s no way you could write it with a straight face, and the journalists say ‘oh it is brilliant’.
“Then Gears of War comes out and apparently it’s the worst written narrative in a game ever. I’ll take Gears of War over Bayonetta any time.
“I just think the simple question should be; is the story any good?”
Do you think Hutchinson is correct? Should allowances be made for foreign developers? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Source: Eurogamer
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I think that his comments are kind of racist aswell then.
Comparing Western and Japanese games are like comparing apples and pears the cultural diversity between them is huge.
True agreed I’ll rather play Gears of War over Bayonetta anytime aswell but then I’ll play any Tales of and Final Fantasy game over Gears of War anyday.
He is just sore because AC : Revelations was numb and lame you now have grappeling hook, let kill it and make it so that it has to be used every-freaking-where. Revelations was meh but then again Assassins Creed 2 was one of the best games I have ever played.
I remember Final Fantasy XIII was ripped to pieces in reviews same could be said for Final Fantasy XIII-2. You don’t see Square going oh western games are not reviewed as harshly as Japanese games.
Alex should just get off his high horse because they made a mediocre game and is now sore over it that is was slated as such.