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[Draugoth]

Source​

Earlier this week during Sony's State of Play, the company announced Ghost of Yotei, the first sequel to the acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima. But instead of continuing the story of Jin Sakai, Ghost of Yotei jumps ahead a few centuries and introduces a new female ronin named Atsu, who has adopted Jin's Ghost persona as her own. Somewhat predictably, Atsu's very existence has already sparked a backlash from gamers who don't want to play as a heroine. That led to a direct response from ex-Sony executive Shawn Layden.

Layden, who was the former chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios, reacted to a post on X that complained about Atsu. Layden's reply was simple: "It's a game. If you don't like it, don't buy it."

 

[The Infectious Paradox]

Should Ubisoft have said the same?

 

[mejin]

Easy as that.

 

[analog_future]

GAF any time a game has a woman as the protaganist

 

[demigod]

Should Ubisoft have said the same?

Did Sony used the word "Legendary Samurai"?

 

[The Infectious Paradox]

Did Sony used the word "Legendary Samurai"?

Faaaair

 

[Ainem Enamas]

I personally like how this game looks

 

[Wandering Leopard]

Fixed for accuracy

"It's a game. If you don't like it, [whine about it for a long time], then don't buy it."

 

[Saber]

Not a really good move to say to your audience. Says alot about intentions.

 

[FoxMcChief]

I wish Execs would just shut up.

 

[Fake]

"Don't like it? Don't buy it"​

Wasn't EA doing the same claim over Battlefield 5?

Well, after Concord I expected Sony not picking a fight against their playerbase.


Hope they know what are they doing. 400m should be lesson enough.

If you are in the hole, stop digging.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Now we see why he was axed. Going to take some time to cut out the deep rooted cancer.

 

[Synastry]

If its a well written character I don't see the problem.

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

Despite being a very obvious thing to say, an exec or person involved in the project saying that is the definition of going full retard.

 

[hinch7]

Agreed that the complaints are wierd.

I hate that saying though, "If you don't like it, don't [ _ ] it." Really fucking obnoxious way to address things from a corporate/business side.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

I like him, because he was the one who listened to the public and supported Gravity Rush.

And speaking of the game, the protagonist seems to be made of clay or plastic.

 

[LordCBH]

I don’t think there’s an issue here?

Like that main character is a chick. So what? Nothing has led me to believe the game won’t be like the first one: fucking great. Sucker Punch has a great track record, and, until I see something worth complaining about, it’s fine.

The actress playing the character being crazy doesn’t mean the character is. Until we see any actual evidence the game is pushing things that it shouldn’t, I’ll continue to ravenously look forward to it.

 

[Jormatar]

It's fascinating how angry some people got over a short trailer where the protagonist didn't even say or do anything other than standing still and giving wolf a nod. All this anger just because the main character is a female.

 

[XXL]

As long as the game or character isn't too woke....I love playing female characters in games.

Femshep for example, was the best Shep.

 

[Palabragrís]

Wait. There's a controversy regarding the game protagonist being a woman? I don't see any problem with that. As a matter of fact, since the days of Samus, Lara Croft and even Lightning from FFXIII, I'm a big supporter of female protagonist in games and in stories overall.

Do not confuse this with being a supporter of 'forced inclusivity'. That and having a good female protagonist are two very different topics altogether.

 

[Umbral]

Which perspective is Shawn saying this from? Hmmm.

 

[Xtib81]

Duh. People have the right to complain though.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Despite being a very obvious thing to say, an exec or person involved in the project saying that is the definition of going full retard.

He hasn't been with Sony for over 5 years. He has no involvement. But it does shine a light on probably why he was canned. You don't put personal brain worm feelings over the interest of business growth.

 

[FoxMcChief]

Didn’t someone say this about Star Wars Outlaws?

 

[whyman]

Not only will I not buy it. I will sell my PS5. Great new plan Sony. Also when your new console is 1000 dollars+ outside US, f u.

 

[DonF]

are people really complaining about the protag being a woman? all i've seen is caution cause the motion actor is omega woke.

 

[Mr Moose]

Not a really good move to say to your audience. Says alot about intentions.

He hasn't worked for Sony in years, but the statement is true. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

 

[Dragon_Rocks]

Wasn't EA doing the same claim over Battlefield 5?

Well, after Concord I expected Sony not picking a fight against their playerbase.


Hope they know what are they doing. 400m should be lesson enough.

If you are in the hole, stop digging.

He isn't with Sony anymore.

 

[Sentenza]

Didn’t someone say this about Star Wars Outlaws?

Well, it worked.

 

[PauloRoberto]

For now, the teaser shows no reason for doubt (VA on the other hand...)

 

[Dazraell]

I mean, this worked for Concord lol

 

[HogIsland]

"don't like it, don't buy it" is a pussy response from a person who's apparently interested in growing the audience for videogames.

it should be "don't like it, you're a degenerate who will never enjoy the loving embrace of another human"

 

[FoxMcChief]

He hasn't worked for Sony in years, but the statement is true. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

Water is wet. Doesn’t mean we need to remind folk. Not everyone knows he’s not with Sony. I mean, I don’t keep track of who all comes and goes. This statement sounds like it comes from someone involved with the project.

 

[Banjo64]

I’ve seen this before.

It’ll be followed by a Kotaku headline explaining the declined sales compared to the first game is because of racist gamers.

 

[David Ricardo]

Source​

He is not working at Sony anymore, so he should be more careful choosing his words. He could make his former company lose money and risk the jobs of devs who do not work for him anymore

 

[StreetsofBeige]

People can say what they want and customers can buy what they want.

I always find it amazing how brash video game employees are against gamers on social media. It's pretty hard to find execs or employees in other industries smack talking back when customers dont like something.

A truly combative bunch.

 

[Bojanglez]

I mean, this worked for Concord lol

It will work for GoY too, people will buy it in masses and prove that Concord's problem wasn't just the inclusion of pronouns.

 

[midnightAI]

Not a really good move to say to your audience. Says alot about intentions.

What intentions are those? His audience is just people who follow him on Twitter so he can say whatever he likes, in this case he's correct.

 

[FingerBang]

are people really complaining about the protag being a woman? all i've seen is caution cause the motion actor is omega woke.

People are going full retard, proving again and again that both the woke and the anti-woke are mentally ill.
Yes, the actress seems to be super woke... like most goddamn actors? But she's not a writer on the game, she's there to act.

For fuck's sake, I played the entirety of Rise of the Ronin as a chick. Plenty of women as important characters, including warriors. Was the game woke? Did it lecture me about systemic racism and cisheteronormativity? Nope.

The "keep politics out of my games" now see politics everywhere.

 

[RagnarokIV]

He can say this smugly because PlayStation have a ton of fanboys. ubisoft etc. on the other hand...

 

[FoxMcChief]

What intentions are those? His audience is just people who follow him on Twitter so he can say whatever he likes, in this case he's correct.

His audience becomes larger when sites report his posts in their articles.

 

[Aenima]

I think the players already got that memo, look at Concord, ppl didnt liked it, didnt bought it, game crashed and burned, studio most likelly to be closed.

I like the protagonist of Ghost of Yotei... so far. If later i see something i dont like about it, i have no problems in not buying it too.

 

[mckmas8808]

GAF any time a game has a woman as the protaganist

Exactly! I agree with Shawn.

 

[kruis]

GAF any time a game has a woman as the protaganist

The irony is that western devs are more likely to do a Smithers when confronted with the female sex.

 

[RoadHazard]

Agree. And I don't understand why anyone would care. It's not a "me simulator", it's a story they want to tell. Just having a female protagonist doesn't make a game "woke".

 

[Gojiira]

Personally dont give a fuck, protag looks great and the trailer was great. Day one for me.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Water is wet. Doesn’t mean we need to remind folk. Not everyone knows he’s not with Sony. I mean, I don’t keep track of who all comes and goes. This statement sounds like it comes from someone involved with the project.

It's literally in the title. (Former PlayStation CEO)

This is an enthusiast board where people ball hock executives past and present all the time. No excuses, NO MERCY!

 

[Bombolone]

Yep. They are going to get in Sucker Punch’s way.
Masterfully done Sony.
I look forward to the unhinged rant, maybe even music video? from the VA actress in the near future.

It's fascinating how angry some people got over a short trailer where the protagonist didn't even say or do anything other than standing still and giving wolf a nod. All this anger just because the main character is a female.

Wait. There's a controversy regarding the game protagonist being a woman? I don't see any problem with that. As a matter of fact, since the days of Samus, Lara Croft and even Lightning from FFXIII, I'm a big supporter of female protagonist in games and in stories overall.

Do not confuse this with being a supporter of 'forced inclusivity'. That and having a good female protagonist are two very different topics altogether.

Yes and no. I encourage you to head over to the GoY thread to understand the discussion better. There is nuance and points made by many posters with different POV.
Bartski also has a thread where we get to share our ideas and hopes for what is in store for us in 2025!
Both very fun threads in the community!

 

[midnightAI]

People can say what they want and customers can buy what they want.

I always find it amazing how brash video game employees are against gamers on social media. It's pretty hard to find execs or employees in other industries smack talking back when customers dont like something.

A truly combative bunch.

You do know he doesn't work for Sony anymore don't you?

 

[Peroroncino]

That's the plan, Shawty.