Por que Black Myth Wukong não vai concorrer ao GOTY 2024.

Summary

The video discusses the cultural divide in the gaming community, focusing on the debate between diversity and inclusion (DEI) in games and more traditional, conservative perspectives. The speaker critiques how *Black Myth: Wukong*, a game rooted in Chinese folklore and rich in storytelling, may be overlooked for Game of the Year nominations due to its lack of DEI elements. The video also explores the impact of gaming media, the challenges of the gaming industry, and the growing trend of sequels and remakes, ultimately lamenting the lack of innovation and risk-taking in mainstream gaming.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video discusses the cultural war within the video game industry, focusing on the controversy surrounding 'woke' elements in games like *Black Myth: Wukong*.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the tension between those advocating for diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) in gaming and those who oppose it, often arguing that games should focus on traditional hero archetypes.
• 😀 There is a growing divide in the gaming community between progressives who support diversity in games and conservatives who believe games should reflect more traditional values, such as a white, heterosexual hero.
• 😀 The lack of creativity in recent AAA games, driven by tight deadlines and poor decision-making by publishers, has contributed to the rise of 'woke' gaming, which attempts to incorporate more diverse elements into narratives.
• 😀 The speaker believes that diversity in games, like in *Black Myth: Wukong*, does not inherently make them bad but that poorly executed games with 'woke' elements can indeed become disappointing.
• 😀 *Black Myth: Wukong* is praised for its rich storytelling, culture, and gameplay mechanics, despite lacking strong DEI elements. It is a game that brought Chinese folklore and the *Journey to the West* story to a global audience.
• 😀 Some critics argue that the game’s success is due to its lack of DEI, which led to claims that the game’s appeal is directly tied to avoiding 'woke' content, though this overlooks the game’s merits beyond diversity.
• 😀 Media outlets that cover games are generally progressive and tend to minimize or undermine games like *Black Myth: Wukong* that don’t align with progressive ideals, leading to a biased media landscape.
• 😀 The speaker suggests that *Black Myth: Wukong* should be nominated for Game of the Year, as it showcases new ideas and offers a culturally rich narrative that is underrepresented in the industry.
• 😀 The impact of the cultural war on the game industry has led to a stagnation in creativity, with more focus on remakes, sequels, and familiar franchises rather than original titles with innovative gameplay and narrative.

Q & A

Why isn't *Black Myth: Wukong* likely to be nominated for Game of the Year?

The game faces challenges due to its lack of overt diversity and progressive elements, which are heavily scrutinized in the gaming media. Despite its cultural richness and strong gameplay, these factors may hinder its recognition in mainstream award nominations.

What is the role of the gaming media in shaping perceptions about *Black Myth: Wukong*?

The gaming media, which tends to lean progressive, may downplay or dismiss *Black Myth: Wukong* due to its lack of diversity elements. There are also articles that attempt to minimize the game's significance, labeling it as less deserving of praise, even though it offers a unique cultural experience.

How does the 'woke' movement in games affect public reception?

The 'woke' movement in games has polarized audiences. Some fans criticize games for being too politically correct or diverse, while others appreciate the inclusion of diverse narratives. This division leads to significant debates within the gaming community, which can impact how games are reviewed and received.

What is the significance of *Black Myth: Wukong* in terms of cultural representation?

*Black Myth: Wukong* is notable for its deep exploration of Chinese folklore, particularly the classic tale 'Journey to the West.' It represents a cultural perspective that is rarely seen in Western games, offering a fresh narrative and a chance to showcase Chinese culture globally.

How does the speaker view the impact of diversity in games?

The speaker believes that diversity in games is not inherently negative. However, when it becomes a forced or divisive element, it can detract from the creative process. The speaker argues that games like *Black Myth: Wukong*, which don't focus heavily on diversity, can still succeed based on their cultural and gameplay merits.

What role does the 'cultural war' play in the gaming industry?

The 'cultural war' in gaming involves the clash between progressive values, such as diversity and inclusion, and conservative backlash against perceived political correctness. This ongoing conflict influences how games are developed, marketed, and reviewed, often leading to polarized opinions within the gaming community.

How does the gaming industry currently handle innovation and creativity?

The speaker suggests that the gaming industry is experiencing a significant lack of creativity, primarily due to rushed production schedules and pressure from publishers. Many games are iterations of established franchises or remakes, with fewer new ideas coming to the forefront.

What impact does the gaming media's bias toward diversity have on game awards?

The gaming media's bias toward progressive values may influence the nominations and awards at events like The Game Awards. Games that don't align with these values, like *Black Myth: Wukong*, may be overlooked, even if they are innovative or critically acclaimed for other reasons.

What does the speaker predict will be the dominant trends in the Game of the Year nominations?

The speaker predicts that Japanese games, such as *Final Fantasy VII Rebirth* and *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*, will dominate the Game of the Year nominations. These games tend to be seen as more in line with current industry trends and are less likely to face criticism over diversity or political correctness.

What is the speaker's opinion on the future of the gaming industry?

The speaker is concerned that the gaming industry will continue to focus on sequels, remakes, and multiplayer games, rather than groundbreaking new titles with fresh ideas. They believe that this trend, coupled with the cultural divide in the gaming community, will result in fewer truly innovative games in the future.