Mega Man re-releases add warning about 'insensitive cultural depictions' but leave the games unchanged
Capcom has added a disclaimer to both volumes of The Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection(opens in new tab), a re-release of ten games in the spin-off strategy series, which warns players of «insensitive cultural depictions» at the start of the game. It does not specify what these are but, as soon as the warning was spotted on gaming forum Resetera(opens in new tab), users began posting examples of what the game includes that probably falls under this description. The games' content has not been altered.
The full disclaimer reads: «Capcom values diversity and inclusivity within its games and its community. Please be aware the games in this collection may contain some cases of insensitive cultural depictions that are presented as originally created to preserve their authenticity.» The comparison to the message that Warner Bros. now shows in front of its older cartoons is obvious.
The specific examples highlighted by Battle Network players include black characters that rap, an instance where protagonist Lan goes to Netopia (an approximation of America) and is immediately robbed by a black man, and another character in that city who tells you he prays to «my God, and the chicken he provides.» It's clear from some of the dialogue posted that this element of the games is a crudely stereotypical view of black urban America, with boomboxes, basketball hoops, and characters who say things like «You just outta da crib, kid! Go suck your momma's milk!»
«There's also 'Netfrica' in Battle Network 4 where they all live in huts and worship an irrigation computer as their god,» notes Resetera user Lori(opens in new tab). «But nobody in their right mind plays BN4 to begin with.»
The description of Netfrica on the Mega Man wiki
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