[UPDATE] So, Minecraft (Isn't actually...) racist.

[ResonanceSD]

Wow, wtf. Mojang dont check these things?

Again, how are they suppose to check something that is in a language that they do not understand??

Im pretty sure that word is a universal no-no. Just skimming the start up screen would pick it up.

And what if the insult was in French? or in Spanish?
People would still complain.

So is it better that they do not release language packs until they have had time/money to hire a professional translator? or should they take the risk with having som fans translate it for them?

Ok, for all the text thats in the game, yes. Its a multimillion dollar company. There is about a paragraph of text all up.

 

[MrTub]

Wow, wtf. Mojang dont check these things?

Again, how are they suppose to check something that is in a language that they do not understand??

Im pretty sure that word is a universal no-no. Just skimming the start up screen would pick it up.

And what if the insult was in French? or in Spanish?
People would still complain.

So is it better that they do not release language packs until they have had time/money to hire a professional translator? or should they take the risk with having som fans translate it for them?

Ok, for all the text thats in the game, yes. Its a multimillion dollar company. There is about a paragraph of text all up.

Good to know that you think so. But I very much doubt that they would release over 50+ language packs if they had to hire professional translators.

And I would prefer if they release with as many languages as possible with the risk of "offending" somebody cause someone wanted to be "funny" when he/she helped translate it.

btw: I very much doubt there are about of a paragraph of text that needs to be translated.

 

[Yureina]

That might be insulting, but at the same time it is also kind of funny, in a way.

Edit: Since i've had two people go after me for this and accusing me of being a racist jerk, here is a lovely explanation for those of you who can't see what I meant:

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/9.340310.13768652

Racism isn't funny. On the other hand, people feeding a troll by immediately raging at the very mention of this word is funny.

 

[ResonanceGames]

That might be insulting, but at the same time it is also kind of funny, in a way.

No, it's really not. And "insulting" isn't really the right term, I think "pathetically racist" might be a better choice.

 

[krazykidd]

stupid ,imature , racist people on the internet

This one. It was a fan translator who put that in there - apparently Mojang didn't check before they stuck it in their product. Oops.

Thats a pretty big fucking oops then , who runs mojang ? Rick perry? It's pardonable in that case , but still shouldn't have happened.

 

[Yureina]

That might be insulting, but at the same time it is also kind of funny, in a way.

No, it's really not. And "insulting" isn't really the right term, I think "pathetically racist" might be a better choice.

Well, that is your opinion I suppose. I'd prefer if you didn't try to pick at mine though.

 

[cookyy2k]

That might be insulting, but at the same time it is also kind of funny, in a way.

No, it's really not. And "insulting" isn't really the right term, I think "pathetically racist" might be a better choice.

Well, that is your opinion I suppose. I'd prefer if you didn't try to pick at mine though.

I agree, it's mildly amusing in a "I can't believe that happened" way. I wouldn't call it jape of the century but yeah, not meant to be taken seriously...

 

[Yureina]

I agree, it's mildly amusing in a "I can't believe that happened" way. I wouldn't call it jape of the century but yeah, not meant to be taken seriously...

Pretty much the point I was trying to make. I seriously doubt someone did this deliberately to piss people off, but rather to be a somewhat amusing, although tasteless, surprise when people opened up Minecraft to play.

 

[ResonanceGames]

That might be insulting, but at the same time it is also kind of funny, in a way.

No, it's really not. And "insulting" isn't really the right term, I think "pathetically racist" might be a better choice.

Well, that is your opinion I suppose. I'd prefer if you didn't try to pick at mine though.

Your opinion is that putting an overtly racist message into a game that is meant for release in one of the most troubled, racially charged countries in the world is "kinda funny," and you have the gall to tell me that I shouldn't "pick" at your opinion? That is ridiculous.

 

[Yureina]

Your opinion is that putting an overtly racist message into a game that is meant for release in one of the most troubled, racially charged countries in the world is "kinda funny," and you have the gall to tell me that I shouldn't "pick" at your opinion? That is ridiculous.

I think you are taking things a bit too seriously. :/

And yes, I am more than aware of South Africa's troubles regarding race. That, along with its rape problem, are two reasons why I will never set foot in that country.

 

[ResonanceGames]

I think you are taking things a bit too seriously. :/

I think you aren't used to being called out for your casual racism, and never stopped to think about exactly what you were saying and defending.

Both racism, and excusing racism by calling it humor, are unacceptable. There is definitely a part of the continuum where racial humor is fine, and if you can't tell that this is nowhere close to that point then you need to get out more.

 

[Yureina]

I think you aren't used to being called out for your casual racism, and never stopped to think about exactly what you were saying and defending.

Both racism, and excusing racism by calling it humor, are unacceptable. There is definitely a part of the continuum where racial humor is fine, and if you can't tell that this is nowhere close to that point then you need to get out more.

Oh look. The boy is accusing me of being racist. Whatever will I do?

You know, making baseless accusations and trying to insult another person is not a very good way to go about dealing with someone you vaguely disagree with. Even moreso if you don't seem to really understand what said person was saying in the first place.

Maybe you should take a break? You seem quite touchy right now.

 

[cookyy2k]

I think you are taking things a bit too seriously. :/

I think you aren't used to being called out for your casual racism, and never stopped to think about exactly what you were saying and defending.

Both racism, and excusing racism by calling it humor, are unacceptable. There is definitely a part of the continuum where racial humor is fine, and if you can't tell that this is nowhere close to that point then you need to get out more.

I really don't get why a throw away remark from someone who probably wasn't even thinking about it whilst trying to get a cheap laugh has turned into crime of the millennia. There was (as far as I can see) no hate or malice behind it, it was not an attempt to decent South Africa into race war. It was just an immature way for some kid to get a kick out of it. The way said individual it thinking is much like a troll, break a social taboo and you'll get a lot of people worked up, if everyone stopped getting worked up over silly throw away comments and ignored it it would actually go away as they wouldn't be being "edgy".

killing/beating people due to race is racism, calling for someone to be killed/beaten due to race is racism, deliberately treating people of different races differently is racism, judging someone based on the colour of their skin is racism. Making a tacky joke in bad taste is just stupid and deserves no more discussion or community outrage than kids on xbox making "your mum" jokes.

 

[ResonanceGames]

Oh look. The boy is accusing me of being racist. Whatever will I do?

Stop saying that dropping racial slurs into video games released in post-Apartheid countries is funny, and stop being so shocked and defensive about the fact that someone had the nerve to actually call you out on your nonsense. That's what you should do. That's all I'm asking.

I'm not touchy. I simply see this stuff go unchallenged all the time, and I'm not having any of it. And I refuse to mince words about it.

 

[Yureina]

I really don't get why a throw away remark from someone who probably wasn't even thinking about it whilst trying to get a cheap laugh has turned into crime of the millennia. There was (as far as I can see) no hate or malice behind it, it was not an attempt to decent South Africa into race war. It was just an immature way for some kid to get a kick out of it. The way said individual it thinking is much like a troll, break a social taboo and you'll get a lot of people worked up, if everyone stopped getting worked up over silly throw away comments and ignored it it would actually go away as they wouldn't be being "edgy".

killing/beating people due to race is racism, calling for someone to be killed/beaten due to race is racism, deliberately treating people of different races differently is racism, judging someone based on the colour of their skin is racism. Making a tacky joke in bad taste is just stupid and deserves no more discussion or community outrage than kids on xbox making "your mum" jokes.

And that's pretty much what I was getting at. What this whole incident is about is just some kid somewhere trying to get a cheap laugh and cause a controversy among those that can't see that this wasn't done as a deliberate racial insult. I got the intent of the people who did this (obviously), and my amusement was at the expense of those who were going to rage because that is what they choose to do before stopping to think if something is really worth getting angry over.

The bugger who now thinks i'm a racist only proves my point.

This thing in Minecraft isn't racism. It is just the work of a poor-quality troll.

 

[Yureina]

Oh look. The boy is accusing me of being racist. Whatever will I do?

Stop saying that dropping racial slurs into video games released in post-Apartheid countries is funny, and stop being so shocked and defensive about the fact that someone had the nerve to actually call you out on your nonsense. That's what you should do. That's all I'm asking.

I'm not touchy. I simply see this stuff go unchallenged all the time, and I'm not having any of it. And I refuse to mince words about it.

I love it when people read way too much into things and come up with wild conclusions. It is the work of those who are so on-edge about everything that they literally can troll themselves.

And... that's really all I can say right now. All this is is one guy exploding with rage while the other person calmly sips on some lemonade wondering if the other guy will figure out what actually is going on here.

Thankfully, i've got lots of time. And lemonade. :3

 

[Erttheking]

Well, there's some good fuel for the haters.

 

[ResonanceGames]

I love it when people read way too much into things and come up with wild conclusions. It is the work of those who are so on-edge about everything that they literally can troll themselves.

And... that's really all I can say right now. All this is is one guy exploding with rage while the other person calmly sips on some lemonade wondering if the other guy will figure out what actually is going on here.

Thankfully, i've got lots of time. And lemonade. :3

Ah, the classic Lebowskian "I'm calmer than you are, dude. I'm calmer than you are."

That isn't an argument, it's a copout. I've already made my point, and if all you've got in response are intellectually lazy straw men, then fine. But don't pretend that I'm some raging lunatic just because I was curt with you.

 

[Jasper Jeffs]

Hah, that's pretty fucking hilarious.