There is a massive call to boycott HOE right now, all because of the Natlan trailer in HOYOVERSE. Players claim that Natlan doesn’t have enough characters with darker skin tones, despite the game claiming to take inspiration from cultures with more melanin. But is it true?
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Key Takeaways:
- HOYOVERSE’s Natlan trailer is facing backlash for lack of representation.
- Natlan characters are named after deities from various cultures.
- The character designs draw inspiration from Aztec and indigenous cultures.
The Controversy
The main point of contention in the Natlan trailer is the lack of representation of darker-skinned characters. Players argue that HOYOVERSE claims to draw inspiration from cultures with more melanin but fails to include sufficient diversity in its character roster. They argue that this perpetuates the idea of cherry-picking the attractive aspects of a culture while disregarding the people themselves.
Character Names
The names of several Natlan characters are derived from deities of different cultures. For example, Kich is named after a Mayan sun god, Maua is adapted from the Maori fire deity, and Aoron is adapted from the Yoruba god of Nigeria. These character names indicate an intention to pay homage to the cultures they come from.
Design Inspiration
Nin, the main protagonist of Natlan, has a design heavily inspired by Aztec and indigenous cultures. This is evident in her clothing, accessories, and overall aesthetic. The developers have put effort into incorporating the visual elements that represent these cultures into the game.
