He has a point. It is not specifically saying the game or its creators are racist. I don't believe they are but while I have no problems playing RE5 I am sure it would give some people bad impressions.

I like how he presented his arguement because if he were to go about the plain scenario i would have ignored it because I am sure he didn't rais a fuss about part 4 but highlighting the imagery evoked makes sense because there wasn't any within spain.

One has to step back and think about the real issues though. It is not entirely what the game is offering but how it is percieved. I am pretty sure there are going to be many countries in which the people will not bat an eye at this. but the history of england and america leaves bad memory.

I got this from what the creator is saying in a interview. He saids that is going down in Africa because its the place where all mankind have it origins. And therefore the viral origin.

Well, I've heard  something like this before about Resident Evil 5 and it being "racist" because you are killing Black Zombies in the game. But, it's just a video game though. Capcom might have to be careful with making Resident Evil 5... if Reverend Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson get's a call about this, I'm pretty sure that Resident Evil 5 may NEVER be released or it will be delayed until something in the game changes. And if Hillary Clinton gets elected president, there may be no more video games.

 

And about Resident Evil 5's release date being late 2008, the last time I checked, Resident Evil 5 was scheduled for a 2009 release.

Without wanting to start a race war, far from it, it is yet again the race card taken to far. Whilst I do Agree that you have to be careful with what you put out these days, I only agree because of the pressure we are under not to offend anyone. This sort of conversation should not arise about any type of game and only does so because of people being very narrow minded. Its seems to me the only people in the world that are allowed to be catagorised as r@cist are us, when indeed most people with common sense will tell you its far from the case. It is however how the press sees it, and it saddens me terribly. 

people will look for anything to get offended about.  The last resident evil had people speaking spanish, OMG!  Things that are going on in certain parts of africa are crazy; blood diamond, lord of war, its not fake.  They're taking that, and implimenting it into a video game.  Look at grand theft auto, we went from pacman to prostitution, killing, drugs, and porn in 15 years.  How come people arent talking about that?  That seems almost as offensive as a bunch of black zombies in a third world country! : 0  

Keep working on that game and don't change a thing capcom, people are ignorant, and offend easily.

This is stupid?

Not this CRAP again........ this is total BS. So what about the other game with all white people? So I guess "no white person" must have made that game? Its racist towards white people by this definition of "racism". People need to get a life, want them to throw in some white people to make you feel more comfortable? Does this damage your delicate sense of morality? GIVE ME A BREAK.

Racism is when people argue about black and white over nothing! There´s no wrong in GTA san andreas black character killing white people! No one raised that point! People need to see races as they are! THEY ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS!!! NO more, no less.

When they see a caucasian person killing a black person they instinctly say RACISM. The other way around is generally ´´just`` homicide and not White kills Black. People, open your eyes. For me, that trailer is just about a good guy killing bad guys, no more.

In order to make U wonder, Im caucasian! Should I be insulted for the ´´white`` zombies in previous REs?

I think its pretty stupid that people are saying its rasist.  But I guess it makes them happy.

 

PSN: DarkJ3JB

Could Resident Evil 5 been better if it was a Playstation 3 exclusive

the majority of bad guys in the entire series where white, and because we take a trip to someplace in africa where the majority of the population is black the game is suddenly being called racist... how about gta san andreas where you play as the black guy, you go around slaughtering white people yet no one complains. its only  a game get over it and enjoy it, wont do that? then dont play it.

I don't think they are racist..i mean come on if the virus has spreaded to africa or what not just because the ememies are black don't mean anything.the virus does not pick and choose it just acts to who ever it touches.Plus Africa's population is almost all black so....if you was to go to africa black people would be there.RE creators and writers had the game set in different locations thru the years,united states,europe...and africa was just the next location..SO everyone stop it nobody's the game and creators are not racist..africa is just the next location.jeez...

Hmmm I don't condone racism at all, but that's when I see it. In this case, isn't it racist to say that this game is being racist? You want someone to pat you on the back and say, 'Wow. Good job bringing that to the forefront. You're a real humanitarian.' I don't know where the game is supposed to take place, but, if it's supposed to be in Africa, well I hate to break it to you, there are a lot of black people there. Why weren't you complaining that RE4 was racist killing all those white people? The only way that this could be considered bad would be if people purchased it just for the fact that it's a white guy shooting up a black area. But that's not going to be the case. The RE series is a classic and it will be picked up because of it's great game play. If people can't let things like games and cartoons be, and take them for what they are, then we're in bigger trouble than we think.

 Are you fing serious? I play video games to escape from all this bs. And now some jacka** reporter wants to speculate the game painting a picture of racism? People wake the F*** up.! This stuff only goes on because you allow it to.  Would it honestly matter if it was a black guy in america shooting white people? Do you think someone would cry racism then? Its a game about zombies and an evil corp... get over it.

Guys! I live in what you might call a small country in Central America, and we are indeed. People around the world always complained, about stuff like, why the heck all good movies and books and videogames always happen in the US? Why the heck any other country depicted in media is usually related to poverty or drug traffic? Well I know that things changed, I know by experience and friends in the US that young people have now a more global conscience, meaning the care and learn more about other cultures and ethnics. And my point is that today’s producers try more to represent sci-fi fantasy settings that touch us all around the world in some way. Why can’t it happen in Spain? Or in Africa? It can.
I think these kind of mediocre reporters have an issue with racism, and all they get by making such statements is help feeding hate and misconceptions on people who enjoy playing games for other reasons. What about context and story, what about the long epic struggle to get the world free of the terrible menace of mutating killing viruses?

so what would it be better if everyone was white? the exact same trailer, just all the zombies are white? or better yet, it's a black guy killing black zombies, then it's ok also? this is stupid

Question: If Resident Evil 4 had a black protagonist romping through Europe instead of Leon, would it have been deemed racist?

For the people here that seem to be missing the point that this reporter is saying, he said "The point isn't that you can't have black zombies."  The point was the imagery portrayed of the people in this trailer.

 

No matter how you put it, this trailer could appear to be offensive to some people (just like other games).  I think that is the reason for this statement.  And this is the reason that he said Capcom should consider this type of reaction after releasing this trailer. 

P.S.  All recent GTA games have also received backlash, which is the reason that some of these games have been banned in some areas.  This isn't the first and only game to get press.

what a tw&t its set in Africa they aint gonna be white are they you fu*king spoon! And a virus would spread quickly AIDS virus anyone for example!!! he is the one who is racist for thinking it, it never even crossed my mind all that did was quick, zombie SHOOOOOOOOOOT!!

what he says is true to some extent, but also you didn't hear about people b!tching about Resident evil 4 when the villagers were hispanic, but once a game that shows blacks depicted as zombies or savages then when the racism kicks in. A game is a game and people need to just lighten up and play

wow ... he has no friends....

I like the word he uses alot... imagery.... what a looser..

me personally dont think the game is racist at all, but there might be a few things u want to question before putting out certain content.and reason why i said that cause i had a couple of buddies that viewed it at my house and they imediately saw something wrong with it, so if they see what everyone else saw then i guess capcom should of been more careful.some people are more sensitive than others and get offended quickly,for 1 capcom are japanesse people.. why would they do that if they were suppose to be racist? dont u think it makes more sense if they should be the one who should be racist if they had put a japanesse character elimanating blacks? they just did that crap random without thinking and it got them in trouble thats all it is really. now if it was a white person that made the game of same or different content then u would have an argument, other than that the game should be realesed no matter what people think.

RE2-3 was set in US... and its full of white zombies... and i play it over and over again... does that make me or the game racist?...

 

These allegations are completely rediculous and uncalled for. Something I would never expect from a veteran games analyst such as N'Gai Croal who is to no ones surprise...black. What if the protagonist was black? Would that make everything better and more comfortable for everyone? People need to quit with their sensitive bs and observe it for what it really is. A game set in Africa with no other agenda based on color.

I am afraid of everyones reading comprehension. N'gai didn't say the game was racist and what he is saying is seeming to fly over people's head. I am sure what ever issues we have about race doesn't get solved by putting your fingers in your ears and go lala la

lol i thought it was black people who made this game well asian people so i doubt very much its racist and i do seem to remember that in all the other re games it was all whites that got killed but nobody said anything then.

i am black, and a black african to be precise. i live in the UK, and although i think RE5 is ok and will be purchased by me on day one, i think some people will have a problem with the game. Its a shame capcom haven't thought this through, because it will cause alot of controversy. No matter how you look at it, there are some sick people out there that will buy this game just for the fun of shooting black folks. I guess it turns some people on. And Mr Croal has a point. I never thought this game was racist until these discussions started coming up, so i went back to look at the trailer, and i suddenly realised this game will be misjudged. Especially by non-gamers.

In one simple word: ridiculous.

 

You can make a story out of everything...but is it necessary to start emphaising that it might show "racism" give me a break!! Too much thought is put into it.

Anyone remember that group that was planning to sue over this game, claiming it was, in fact, racist? I sent them an e-mail a while back, professional, but critical, and never recieved one back.

 

I basically said that people need to stop looking for or claiming racism where it doesnt exist. Because in the end, it only means that, you, yourself are the one who is being racist towards yourself. Racism will never be erased from the minds of humans if rediculous claims like these continue to be made.

 

As for the article, what does he suggest Capcom do? A disclaimer at the end of the trailer that reads "Capcom respects all nationalities, and no harm is intended by this game"? It goes back to my original argument, if no racism is apparent, then no apology or otherwise needs to be made.

I read an article a while back that said there weren't enough black characters in games. Now we get a game full of them, and people are still whining! ;-p

its in haiti god bleep it! Why can noone understand this?!?!?!?!?!

Thanks N’Gai Croal, the magazine you publish your articles in is only reaching a majority of the population that doesn't play videogames, and who now labels resident evil 5 as "racist".

 

When did this guy grow up? He's stuck in the past. Just like obama has said, we need to look to the future. It's a different world today, leave you're victimized tendencies at the door.

 

"It would be like saying you were going to do some sort of zombie movie that appeared to be set in Europe in the 1940's with skinny, emaciated, Hasidic-looking people."
 
"If you put up that imagery people would be saying, 'Are you crazy?'

 

actually, i wouldn't say "are you crazy?", i would just play the game, its not like i'm factoring my morals into the gameplan when killing countless hoardes of zombies anyways.

I rather shoot blacks then whites , i fell this game will help me from actually doing it in real life and taking my frustration out in reality , once again games paly a big part in our lives

this game is set in africa. lets see how realistic it looks without black people. infact i might kick off because a couple of british people died in resistance. d**khead. racism is created in these situations to cause bulls**t arguments. there is absolutely no evidence of racism in resident evil. capcom wouldn't take the risk. screw this guy.

Well, 90% of africa was under european rule for a very, VERY long time and sadly the transition from colonialism to democracy ended up leaving most african countries in a rubbish state. They (I guess rightfully) blame europeans for not teaching them how to run their countries properly, which is why they are in the position they're in. Here in south africa, democracy came about a decade ago. However, compare it to the 50 or so years of apartheid (and a couple of centuries of general strong racism). Also, while I dont know the full details, black people all around the world have had a pretty rubbish time. So..yeah, you'll see that most black africans and black people in general are incredibly sensitive about racism.

I do not agree with the idea that the game itself is racist. What we are seeing is not a result of racism, but a result of simple common sense. However, while I do not approve of this continuing use of the racist card, for now at least, I think perhaps that black people have earned this 'right'.(Honestly, how many times in history have whites been heavily oppressed by black people?)

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that, yes, I find it rubbish to call this game racist, but in general, black people HAVE earned their right to pull the racist card. It just shouldn't be used forever. I think we shouldnt care what they call this game, as long as we all get to play it at the end of the day.

omg just shut up, re5 is not raceist wow whar kind of paranoid freaks do we have in this world

I think some people need to stop making their own opinions and actually LISTEN to what he is saying. He is saying because of the historical potrayal of black people and that imagery seems to be included in the portrayal of black people in RE5. The developers may have not intended it to be this way, but that is no excuse to inform yourself of what is or isn't racist according to the community involved. It's NOT even about having black zombies, it the way those black zombies are being potrayed in a very similiar fashion to the racist imagery used in the past. This is about being cautious and respectful of others. People need to stop getting so damn defensive.

psn id: gingo... i can see where he is coming from and how it might be misinterpreted but really its just kicking a fuss up over nothing, if it was the other way about nothing would be said but because it is black characters, people feel the need to brand the game racist which is wrong

he a dumbass who want to make people talk of him

so what if your black you cant be a zombie?

if zombie attack tomorrow they wont bite black people?

it would be racist of not including black people in the a zombie game or movie

they are already some famous zombie in movie who are black

this game is gonna be great and he should stop wanting to get attention to himself or go work for FOX if he want to create contreversy where there no one

stupid crap get over it retard its a game !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A game !!!!!!!!!!!!!  I will shoot them all day and you will love it

But wait, isn't this game created by a bunch of Japanese folks? So they (Japanese) has a problem with zombified black people or that main character from the game is suppose to be a racist?

Hi guys! just thought I'd sound off on this glorious morning! These writers love to have a field day with anything they don't fully understand. The game takes place in Africa? And....... The same story could be interlaced into any countries ethnic makeup. Africa actually has a very fertile ground for story telling in general as was mentioned by other posters, and even if I were black I don't think I would be offended. Keep in mind that these writers also like to use terms that whip up a frenzy... but without coming out and actually saying what they mean, because that's "safe" for them and their careers. Take for example the way the writer says "The black villagers are "supposedly" infected with a virus". Supposedly????  No, They ARE infected with a virus that turns them into zombies! There's no "supposedly" here! The game is about zombies! But they use the term "Supposedly as if there is a hidden meaning here somewhere. Almost as if they would like to come out and say "The white character is just looking for a reason to kill some skinny impoverished black people, or some such ridiculous message! As if, Noooo, they don't have a disease that turns them into zombies, they're just undernourished. Also, the writer likes the term "imagery". Telling us "You people need to understand the imagery you're depicting" So, I guess before I enjoy a videogame I should first learn all I can about African culture and the imagery connected to it and how it might upset that certain demographic of what? African villagers who've been infected with a zombie causing disease created by a corporation. Yeah, well if it the writer can show me a village where this has actually happened, I'll be happy to explore the repercussions of this and why I shouldn't play the game! If people were so worried about the "Imagery" in games how about all these WW2 games that are rife with Nazi swastikas etc. By the way WW2 actually did happen, and even though the Nazis were a messed up bunch and did terrible things I don't feel that everyone from Germany is one of them! Would the writers at these certain magazines have a problem with a black American G.I. mowing down dozens of German Nazi soldiers? Probably not. All these articles tell me is that they must be having a really slow day over at Newsweek, if this crap is all they have to talk about!

I'm African American and I know the RE storyline so I am cool with it because I know that Capcom isn't trying to disrespect the black community. But for those who don't know the RE universe (Black and White).....oh boy!!! lol

i dont under stand what if black people are in the game what will happen

For those of you(NOT ALL) who say that black people like to use the race card when the going gets tough really need to check this out:

1. Don't generalize because of the unproductive blacks that you've had

contact with.

2. Understand that most successful and productive blacks are low key, they don't need to make the headines like rappers and athletes.

The race card is not an option for productive blacks.....hardwork and determination is all they need.

 

I think its funny that no one made a fus about resident evil 4, and every person who was infected and trying to kill you was in fact spanish. Noone complained about t then, noone should complain about it now. the peoplewho are complaining about resident evil 5 are people that will argue against any video game, or are just looking for something to complain about.

On the flip side, it could be considered racist having only one white character in the whole game.  Seriously, everyone needs to shut their damn mouths about this game.  Ignorant bastards have no right to judge based on a trailer.  I guess it was racist as well having the main character in Dead Rising be a white guy.  Devs try for a new setting and the fvcktards sh!t all over it.  I guess we can't have Gears or Resistance either because it's unfair to think aliens might be hostile.  Give me a break dumbfvck.

I could give a rats a** about what these overly defensive so called argument creators think, this game is protected by FREE SPEECH and if they try to censor this game that violates the constitutional rights of many Americans.

oh come onnn guys lol i think when this story goes japan then zombies are asian even RE4 story goes europ that's why enemies are europian and RE5 is story in africa then zombies are black it's simple and maybe we meet white few zombies out there in RE5 that white zombies are UN agents ha ha ha it's simple game game game story landscape story landscape :)

Okey, This is a long one to answer to number 18, 22, 27, 38, 44 and 45: The imagery is a very weak word and purposly used for the reason of getting by with saying Capcom is being racist whilst saying they have no "intent" of being racist... "they just don't understand any better, those poor japanese people". Most of you people, black and white can't tell a chinese apart from a japanese. What about the "imagery" there huh? It's just BS, and sad.

The imagery as he calls it, he says that Chris Redfield doesn't interact with the black people in the village, maybe 'cause he is busy running for his life. What about the black guy that was originally a member of S.T.A.R.S, you all forgot about him, or the black police officer in RE2 who helps Leon S Kennedy but then tragically dies and becomes a zombie, or the guy in Code Veronica who unlocks Claire's cell? 10% of the American population is "black", which means that over a 100 living people, 10 should be black, now there aren't even 100 living people in the RE-games, so realistically, unless the game is placed in the ghetto or for example in a country where the population has a big percentage of black people, then I would say the Creators of RE has had a pretty big feel for the whole population percentage, usage of ethnicities.

And further about depicting and imagery, has the ignorant writer of this article ever read the story of RE and played through all the games? Because last I read, the virus was brought in from Africa, although it was not in it’s T-form, it was made by Wesker (That’s Albert Wesker, the blond haired guy with glasses to cover up his read Viral eyes, since he isn’t human) and the Nemesis of RE2 whose name I forgot (William Burkin or something), he made the G-virus as well, and that was only 2 or 3 years after the release of the first game, meaning, they have had an intent of going back to the origins for a very very long time. Most of you probably didn’t know this, either because you are not true fans of RE or because you are on the side of the one who wrote the article screaming racism wherever he can to get some attention, just like a baby actually.

And now for the very funny part, he is complaining about how the black people look and act. How did the people in Assassin’s Creed look and act? Come on now, think for a bit. Low graphic detailing and low interactions, and maybe most important of all, no significant moving or working schedules. Why? Well, because it’s difficult as **** giving a 100 villagers a voice and a perfect AI that would make them seem “human” (remember, they are not human, they are 3d figures made in computers). So taking this into account, I can’t say there are any faults in his argument, except the fact that it is way off base, it doesn’t fit into the situation and thus it becomes ridiculous.

For the people who said something like, “I’m personally not offended, but I can see why some people would be”. Get a grip, teach your friends a few things, maybe cite what I’ve said, god knows most people who screams racist haven’t got the faintest clue about what racism is or knows anything about the thing(s) or people they call racist. Remember what I said about Japanese and Chinese people? Well I’m Swedish, but I can tell them apart. Most of people who b**** about racism can’t even tell Spanish apart from French or Italian, and it’s even more laughable that some people can’t tell Chinese apart from Japanese. They joke about it and say, well they all look the same, and they it’s all good. Look inside yourselves. Can you, white, yellow, orange, red, brown or black (I used the colours in order from light to dark to make a point) tell these languages apart, do you know about the culture in these countries and do you want to know or do you just make jokes about it. You see, racism isn’t about colour of skin per se, it’s about oppression, oppression “because of” colour, culture, language or whatever makes one group of people different from another.

I would like to have the opportunity to talk to Croal, because he sure has no clue about the subject he is talking about, and I just hate people who launch in with an opinion without a clue.

You need to think better about what you say because that was racist.  That you would kill back ppl before you kill white. huh, I am black and if i was to see you i would kick your a.s.s for you even letting that come out your mouth. I am hot at the fact you can fix your mouth to say that. most of my friends on the police force are white so i dont have any problems with white, backs, or any other race out there but you talking like that will get you put in and area somewhere not to be found!! Why the f.u.k would you want to kill blacks for anyway punk.

psn id: I95SOUTH

@ Chris_Redfield, I am not really sure the point that you are trying to make?  Yes, I can tell the difference between Chinese and Japanese, also between Spanish and French!  Why do you assume that I would not?

 

Again, what is your point?  I believe people did not have any complaints about the balck zombies in RE2 and Code Veronica because, once again, there was no negative portrayal of blacks there.  I don't think you should try to lump all people together like how you are trying to do.

@ Iplayonlysony: The post wasn't directed only to you, which you would know if you would have bothered to read it properly, don't be so egoistical as to think that everything is directed towards you. I was making a statement in general, a lot of people can't tell these languages apart, and a lot of people make generalisations like saying they're the same, and other BS like that.

And no, in RE2 and in CV they were not depicted in a bad way, but I'm also saying that they aren't in RE5 because there's not much difference between the occurences. The graphic, the screen-time per capita (the whole imagery as he so loosly calls it). The ONLY difference that you can find between RE2, CV and RE5 is that in the two previous games there is interaction with a black person in some form. And I can't stress that enough, it's the ONLY difference. But then again, the trailer doesn't have much in terms of social interaction AT ALL, unless you count blowing zombies heads off. Which probably is because they don't want to give out specific parts about the story. Not even probably, without a doubt that is the reason.

And so what is left of his arguments of racism? The interaction is left, and anyone would say it's stupid to include a conversation between Chris or anyone else and a black man JUST for the sake of showing that this game is not racist. That is because it is really dumb to do something like that. A trailer is not to give out boring conversations that are major spoilers and is boring to watch, a trailer is a teaser to show you what kind of ass-kicking you are going to do.