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[victreeb3l]

i was shocked when i couldn't change my guy to a brown dude - like what year is it?

then i heard the campaign sucks anyway though so whatever, glad i never went past the character select screen

Yeah, dont bother with the campaign. The writing is so cringeworthy and I feel like I've played this game before. I'm playing MP here and there but I shut off the campaign after the first cutscene on the second mission. I was afraid my eyes would roll out of my sockets.

 

[Metfanant]

Though I would love to see either a black main character or an all black cast in a Cod. Or just a better mix.

is an all black cast any less racially insensitive?

Edit, just noticed that the face of the character actually doesn't change. So if it's always the same actor they perhaps didn't want to digitally blackface them.

this is the key here

When I played the MP I saw the character(S) from the SP available and others where locked.

you obviously are either lying, blind, or just didnt pay any attention...

1. The single player characters are not in multiplayer
2. One of the initially unlocked multiplayer characters is a black male

Its just a carry-over from the multiplayer. You get nine variations of the multiplayer characters to unlock, but you can't make Seraph NOT Seraph. Her specific facial features, her ethnicity, that's her, period.

You can't make her into a white man, she's a specific character. Just like the protagonists of the game.

this post nails it...the multiplayer characters are also locked to their looks. If you want to use a certain specialist's ability you have to be THAT character, and you can change certain things about them...But I can't make Prophet a female...he will always be a black guy...

That is a silly question.

They should have named your character you are intended to be white. Calling it player gives it a false sense of immersion.

Like Kinyou said.

damn, that is one of the most overused words around here...

 

[paperspace]

Yeah, don't think they should've added customization beyond male/female in this one.

Why not?

 

[Creaking]

Yeah I was surprised that they dont let you choose skin color when in MP you can customize your avatar like crazy.

The "more voice acting" comment is weird. Why would black or brown or asian people sound different?

How much sarcasm is in this post?

 

[Eidan]

I wouldn't say you shouldn't be able to customize a preset character. I just think it should be clear that the character is not truly a "player avatar" so much as a slightly customizable established character, like in Alpha Protocol (even though I admit, I was disappointment that that wasn't true character customization either).

 

[shiftplusone]

Then why have 9 different shades of White?

And motion capture shouldn't to my knowledge determine the skin color.

its not 9 shades of white its like 2 or 3 shades of white and then hair/no hair, hat/no hat, beard/no beard (not sure what the lady customizations are, my wife set hers up on her own)

again, they had the awareness to make the characters multi-ethnic in the multiplayer so its not a "we went with white as default and forgot about minorities". They chose "white guy/woman" for the single player character.

Holy shit people are really saying minorities move differently than white people and don't want to blow up the budget because of it?

Goddamn folks go outside and talk to people once in a while.

I'm 100% certain that was a joke because of ubisoft's "we cant make girls" excuses

 

[Slayven]

Holy shit people are really saying minorities move differently than white people and don't want to blow up the budget because of it?

Goddamn folks go outside and talk to people once in a while.

 

[BokehKing]

You'd then get people saying the voice doesn't match.

Speaking of that voice, pretty apparent that was some writers strike stand in cause that guy was not good

 

[RichiRamjag]

I wouldn't say you shouldn't be able to customize a preset character. I just think it should be clear that the character is not truly a "player avatar" so much as a slightly customization established character, like in Alpha Protocol (even though I admit, I was disappointment that that wasn't true character customization either).

This pretty much. I think this was the major disappointment for folks. I enjoy creating characters. I've never asked a guy to have a specific character type to make me feel better, but when I hear customization in regards to a player character in multiple interviews with the Devs, then I expect something more in-depth, maybe not fallout 4, but at least destiny level. I feel it may have simply been a bit too much of an assumption on some of our parts.

I don't think it's any sort of racist agenda or anything like that though.

Holy shit people are really saying minorities move differently than white people and don't want to blow up the budget because of it?

Goddamn folks go outside and talk to people once in a while.

I assume it was a joke, though there are some real cringe-worthy statements going on though, so who knows.

 

[Sai-kun]

Holy shit people are really saying minorities move differently than white people and don't want to blow up the budget because of it?

Goddamn folks go outside and talk to people once in a while.

it's all that extra texture work, slayven!

I wouldn't say you shouldn't be able to customize a preset character. I just think it should be clear that the character is not truly a "player avatar" so much as a slightly customization established character, like in Alpha Protocol (even though I admit, I was disappointment that that wasn't true character customization either).

Yeah, in the case of this game, calling it "create operative" seems a bit misleading to anyone who's used an actual character creator before.

 

[Razgriz-Specter]

The only reason there is any options besides male/female imo is because the co-op they let you change a bit without changing the character much.
Just so you can start getting enough gear to really change your character.

 

[FartOfWar]

Holy shit people are really saying minorities move differently than white people and don't want to blow up the budget because of it?

Goddamn folks go outside and talk to people once in a while.

Are you referring to me?

 

[Majanew]

Holy shit people are really saying minorities move differently than white people and don't want to blow up the budget because of it?

Goddamn folks go outside and talk to people once in a while.

I'm sure it was a joke about Ubisoft, but COD is sold worldwide... Asians and Black people are no longer minorities.

 

[ChaoticBlue]

I do know quite a bit about ethnicity and know full well about people of all races and backgrounds buying the game. Still don't see what your point is.

Vegans and albinos and lumberjacks and lacrosse players and tribal amazonians aren't prominently featured in this game either. It means exactly nothing.

Am I really supposed to care about the playable character having a skin texture that resembles mine? It changes nothing. This is a non issue and a total overreaction borne of ignorance or faux sensitivity.

If you want meaningful representation of minorities, you vouch for black people and Hispanics and women getting jobs in tech. You try and get our stories made into games - it's been too long since San Andreas and too few followed suit. But you grab generic GI Joe here and paint his face ______ and nothing has changed - nobody is better represented.

There's real issues concerning diversity and representation in tech and gaming. I believe this isn't one of them.

you're exaggerating too much about the Vegans and albinos and lumberjacks and lacrosse players and tribal amazonians. these are not even human races. i guess you don't really know the issue.

the game doesn't even let you choose a character with a dark color from the start of the campaign. as if white people only gets to be the main hero like a movie or something. why can't the player choose a person of color?

video games are more realistic today than in years past. for a game that is suppose to immerse the player, you can't really ignore the on screen character when it is not a representation of you.

 

[BokehKing]

When people see "character creator", they expect to be able to make a character they desire, and often, people want to make characters of varying races. And when they can't, they express disappointment. Shocking, I know.

It's not a character creator, you're always going to have that guys face, every race is almost represented in MP so I don't really get what's going on, are we ignoring multiplayer exists just to make an argument sound better?

 

[Eidan]

It's not a character creator, you're always going to have that guys face, every race is almost represented in MP so I don't really get what's going on, are we ignoring multiplayer exists just to make an argument sound better?

We've discussed this. Read more of the thread.

 

[Toa TAK]

The only reason there is any options besides male/female imo is because the co-op they let you change a bit without changing the character much.
Just so you can start getting enough gear to really change your character.

You must put on the corresponding helmet with that one.

 

[Chû Totoro]

Why not?

I mean that if the story is really made around a specific character (which I imagine is the reason why black colour of skin is not available) then don't make it customizable at all.

So give all skin colours options if it doesn't change the story or else don't give any at all.

Here it seems that there is a slight change in colour of skin possible yet no black colour is allowed...I don't see why black colour would make the story not to still be valuable but I haven't played the game.

Again imo it's not a racist act (I don't think it's meant to be insulting or to show a racist supremacy idea) and the real problems regarding colour of skin and difference of treatment are out there... so don't loose your energy here guys.

 

[AlimNassor]

It's 2015 there's no ducking excuse. I was on the fence but, now I will never buy it. There's no excuse for lack of diversity in a game that prides itself on diversity. I refuse to support them if that's the way they want to do things.

 

[Fbh]

Yeah sorry but in this case I can't agree with the outrage.

It's all slightly different looking versions of the same fixed character. It's like being able to select the hair and beard style of Gerald in The Witcher 3 or using some of the various skins in Borderlands 2.

 

[RichiRamjag]

Oh damn....PC propaganda is making it's way into Gaming....
I don't really agree to all this "character must be this gender, this race, this sexuality, etc.".

I see games as a form of expression similar to other forms of writing. Should we now judge writers for starring characters that are white, male and look like a Greek sculpture?
People need to take a chill pill and simply enjoy games.
Just my 2 cents, but I might be the one with the outdated view. Who knows?

No one is saying they have to. Folks just thought it would be an option with the implementation of player customization. Notice it's never been a big deal with previous games.

 

[Sai-kun]

edit: nvm lol

 

[ginger ninja]

Good, let the white people do all the warmongering like always.

 

[Razgriz-Specter]

You must put on the corresponding helmet with that one.

Too bad it isn't in MP.

 

[Timeaisis]

All those faces look the same.

 

[bryanee]

Here it seems that there is a slight change in colour of skin possible yet no black colour is allowed...I don't see why black colour would make the story not to still be valuable but I haven't played the game.

They have captured the face and voice of this guy. Ben Browder.

I guess it would be a little odd for some making him black.

 

[Scientist Supreme!]

Eh. Seems like a positive to me but if they were going to give options why not give the options you'd tend to expect in a character customizer? Someone was bound to make this criticism is what I'm saying.

Sure but like others have said its not really a character creator type thing more of a preset character thing. I would feel the bigger issue being way did the default/preset MC be white? Why not just black or just Asian? Instead of giving you the option.

It's 2015 there's no ducking excuse. I was on the fence but, now I will never buy it. There's no excuse for lack of diversity in a game that prides itself on diversity. I refuse to support them if that's the way they want to do things.

Do the multiplayer characters and option to have a female MC change anything about that.

 

[victreeb3l]

How much sarcasm is in this post?

Haha no I wasnt trying to be sarcastic. Just saw a lot of different customizations while playing online so I assumed there would be more in SP. I guess I wasnt paying attention since they were probably variations of the same character.

 

[BMatt07]

It's 2015 there's no ducking excuse. I was on the fence but, now I will never buy it. There's no excuse for lack of diversity in a game that prides itself on diversity. I refuse to support them if that's the way they want to do things.

In multiplayer, the races are represented across the specialties if that tickles your fancy.

Back away from the ledge...

 

[Slayven]

In the year Bethesda allows you to create a minority person that looks like a regular person, this shit happens.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

Call of Duty has the resources to have full character customization (multiple voices too), but you'll still get people saying "It couldn't be helped," because the devs painted themselves into a corner by having one voice actor.

Does the protag have a name?

 

[MatrixMan.EXE]

This just reeks of looking for controversy that isn't there.

Not every game needs to have the option of playing as a protagonist of every race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation. It's the same character, with different hair presets. Of course you can't change his race.

Outrage culture strikes again. Boring me to tears. And I say that as someone that belongs to an ethnic minority. Fucking hell.

 

[Chû Totoro]

They have captured the face and voice of this guy. Ben Browder.

I guess it would be a little odd for some making him black.

I agree that people may not feel too offended that black colour of skin is not available but Activision should have kept only one colour of skin. A character is a character, the race, gender or religion etc. doesn't matter but stick to the said character then !

Also they shouldn't have put so much effort into communicating the woman's presence as a character.

Oh and black character assets are in the game so "weird facial" movements and voice is the excuse?!? Being black doesn't give you a specific voice or specific facial movements... actually this is the thing that may be a little tangent here.

PS: I'm just trying to understand why Activision has made a dumb decision like this (knowing it may give them a big backslash). I'm not offended and still think they are dumb... not racist. And it's just a game, I wouldn't feel offended by this.

 

[BronsonLee]

In the year Bethesda allows you to create a minority person that looks like a regular person, this shit happens.

Minorities may have declined being included in the Black Ops 3 campaign due to how stupid it is

 

[Spring-Loaded]

And I say that as someone that belongs to an ethnic minority.

Which makes your sentiment that much more shameful

 

[Sai-kun]

This just reeks of looking for controversy that isn't there.

Not every game needs to have the option of playing as a protagonist of every race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation. It's the same character, with different hair presets. Of course you can't change his race.

Outrage culture strikes again. Boring me to tears. And I say that as someone that belongs to an ethnic minority. Fucking hell.

and why do you think saying this makes your opinion worth any more than the rest of the folks of color saying that this stuff is important to them? you don't speak for us.

posts like this are so fucking aggravating lmao. 'outrage culture' my ass, dude. the people insisting over and over that this isn't a big deal and that they don't give a shit, and that everything is fine seem to be the ones more 'outraged' that someone would criticize their precious video game

 

[AlimNassor]

In multiplayer, the races are represented across the specialties if that tickles your fancy.

Back away from the ledge...

So? I don't give a shirt about the multi-player. It's tiresome to explain why I hate not being able to play a different race. Why does it have to always be white?

 

[Slayven]

Minorities may have declined being included in the Black Ops 3 campaign due to how stupid it is

See that is why you are Colleen Wing to my Misty Knight

I was going to say that, but i ragged on that shitty story enough.

 

[Henkka]

They have captured the face and voice of this guy. Ben Browder.

I guess it would be a little odd for some making him black.

Hmm yeah. Should Activision have hired 2 more actors to play the black main characters? Or can a white person play a black person through mo-cap? Would that be virtual blackface??

 

[Johndoey]

If the options were anything other than slight shade differences and hair color I would be down with getting on Treyarch for this, but this is nothing.

 

[BMatt07]

and why do you think saying this makes your opinion worth any more than the rest of the folks of color saying that this stuff is important to them? you don't speak for us.

Lol you are taking this far too personal.

 

[Obrek]

and why do you think saying this makes your opinion worth any more than the rest of the folks of color saying that this stuff is important to them? you don't speak for us.

The exact same thing applies to you. You don't speak for him or myself as minorities either. What you're expressing is also an opinion.

 

[Mael]

and why do you think saying this makes your opinion worth any more than the rest of the folks of color saying that this stuff is important to them? you don't speak for us.

Because he's one of the good ones obviously.
Minorities are allowed to play videogames but they sure as hell can't complain or they're just part of the outrage culture that shackle society in the PC dystopia.

 

[Saint Gregory]

It's funny that you use Star Wars as an example, since I'm certain that calls for greater diversity in film are the reason why the new movies have a black and female lead.

And if you missed it why some folks are calling to boycott the movie because it has a minority lead :/

A lot of the same people who say that the lack of diversity in games and movies isn't a big deal ("why people always bringing up race, playing race card!", etc.) are the same folks who get up in arms because Idris Elba is playing a fictional character that's usually portrayed as a Caucasian.

It's not about forcing diversity down anyone's throat, it's about accurately reflecting a world where anyone of any race or gender can be a hero. I kind of thought that people were for more realism in games. I don't think that in this particular case the devs were trying to exclude anyone but some of the replies in this thread reflect why not having more minority leads in games is a problem.

 

[Eidan]

and why do you think saying this makes your opinion worth any more than the rest of the folks of color saying that this stuff is important to them? you don't speak for us.

posts like this are so fucking aggravating lmao. 'outrage culture' my ass, dude. the people insisting over and over that this isn't a big deal and that they don't give a shit, and that everything is fine seem to be the ones more 'outraged' that someone would criticize their precious video game

"As an ethnic minority, I must say that not only do I find this 'outrage' deplorable, but that I enjoy, nay, love playing as white characters, and welcome my white overlords with open arms."

Somewhere, Ben Carson is shedding a single tear of approval.

 

[Spring-Loaded]

I agree that people may not feel too offended that black colour of skin is not available but Activision should have kept only one colour of skin. A character is a character, the race, gender or religion etc. doesn't matter but stick to the said character then !

Also they shouldn't have put so much effort into communicating the woman's presence as a character.

Oh and black character assets are in the game so "weird facial" movements and voice is the excuse?!? Being black doesn't give you a specific voice or specific facial movements... actually this is the thing that may be a little tangent here.

PS: I'm just trying to understand why Activision has made a dumb decision like this (knowing it may give them a big backslash). I'm not offended and still think they are dumb... not racist. And it's just a game, I wouldn't feel offended by this.

Whether it's racism shouldn't be a sticking point for you— it's a feature that could be reasonably included in a AAA game and it's reasonable for people to want it in.

And it doesn't have to be hate speech or purposefully hurtful to count as racism either.

 

[RichiRamjag]

The exact same thing applies to you. You don't speak for him or myself as minorities either. What you're expressing is also an opinion.

That isn't what he implied though. The person he quoted specifically alluded to his race as if that made his argument stronger. It doesn't, if you don't care, then that alone is fine. My opinion isn't worth more on the matter because I'm half black, and if a person is white, Hispanic, Asian, then their opinion isn't lessened or bolstered either.

And if you missed it why some folks are calling to boycott the movie because it has a minority lead :/

A lot of the same people who say that the lack of diversity in games and movies isn't a big deal ("why people always bringing up race, playing race card!", etc.) are the same folks who get up in arms because Idris Elba is playing a fictional character that's usually portrayed as a Caucasian.

It's not about forcing diversity down anyone's throat, it's about accurately reflecting a world where anyone of any race or gender can be a hero. I kind of thought that people were for more realism in games. I don't think that in this particular case the devs were trying to exclude anyone but some of the replies in this thread reflect why not having more minority leads in games is a problem.

I don't care if the lead is black or any specific race. I simply was disappointed with having character customization that was so limited. Honestly, that's the real problem with the situation, no point in even having it if it's going to be variations of the same guy (only slightly tan).

 

[Slayven]

"As an ethnic minority, I must say that not only do I find this 'outrage' deplorable, but that I enjoy, nay, love playing as white characters, and welcome my white overlords with open arms."

Somewhere, Ben Carson is shedding a single tear of approval.

Ben Carson is not your shield.

 

[BiGBoSSMk23]

Hmm yeah. Should Activision have hired 2 more actors to play the black main characters? Or can a white person play a black person through mo-cap? Would that be virtual blackface??

Holy shit.

Can't wait to see the clickbait bullshit videos the day this happens.

 

[AlimNassor]

Hmm yeah. Should Activision have hired 2 more actors to play the black main characters? Or can a white person play a black person through mo-cap? Would that be virtual blackface??

Yes they should have. I'm tired of every big game featuring a white male front and center.