Alex Hutchinson, creative director of the Assassin\u2019s Creed series, has alleged that there is a \u201csubtle racism\u201d permeating the video game industry, in that Japanese developers aren\u2019t criticised for their storytelling nearly as harshly as their Western competitors.<\/p>\n
“It’s condescending to do this,” he said.<\/p>\n
He goes on to note that a Japanese game which has a story that is \u201cliterally gibberish\u201d will be praised by journalists, but a Western game like Gears of War will be torn to pieces by the same group.<\/p>\n
“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\u2019s Creed: Revelations.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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’.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“I just think the simple question should be; is the story any good?”<\/p>\n
Do you think Hutchinson is correct? Should allowances be made for foreign developers? Share your thoughts in the comments.<\/p>\n
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