This Was Never About Anything Other Than Hate

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the ongoing backlash against the inclusion of a Black lead character in the upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows video game, and how this is part of a broader pattern of reactionary movements in the gaming community that are fueled by hate and used for political gain.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Assassin's Creed Shadows Backlash

1. What were the responses on social media to the Black lead character in Assassin's Creed Shadows?

• The responses included racist images, slurs, and calls for "historical accuracy" in a video game series that has always incorporated science fiction elements.
• An unpublished community note referred to the character using a racial slur.

2. What are the claims of the group behind the backlash?

• They claim the backlash is about "respecting Japanese culture" or refusing to accept "woke ideologies" being "forced into their games" by consulting groups.
• However, the article argues this is just a cover for the real motivation, which is hate.

3. How does the article connect this backlash to broader political movements?

• The article draws a parallel between the GamerGate movement in 2014 and the current reactionary right-wing movement in gaming, which it says is being fueled by those looking to radicalize and take advantage of impressionable young men.
• It suggests this type of manufactured outrage is used to keep people "scared, angry, concerned, and ready to do whatever it takes" for political gain.

[02] The History and Evolution of Gaming Culture

1. How did gaming culture become dominated by white men?

• In the early days of gaming, it was largely accessible only to those with wealth and free time, which excluded many marginalized groups.
• Marketing and game designs increasingly catered to boys, leading to a widespread perception that gaming was exclusively a "boy hobby".

2. How has gaming culture changed over time?

• More women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and minorities have entered the video game industry as developers, community managers, journalists, etc.
• The rise of indie games has led to more diverse perspectives and genre-bending titles.
• Movements like MeToo and Black Lives Matter have helped hold bad actors accountable for perpetuating harmful ideologies and behaviors.

3. How do the reactionaries respond to these changes?

• The article suggests the reactionaries see these changes as a threat and try to stoke outrage and fear to maintain their dominance in gaming culture.
• They seize on any perceived issue or change, no matter how minor, and use it to fuel a cycle of manufactured rage and political gain.