Genshin Impact Whitewashing Petition Gains Significant Traction

MiHoYo, the developer behind games like Genshin Impact, is facing backlash from players who have accused the company of cultural appropriation and whitewashing in its titles. Petitioners are demanding authentic representation, collaboration with experts, and more diverse characters, and the number of signatures for the petition addressing these cultural concerns is steadily growing, urging MiHoYo to address these issues promptly.

Genshin Impact Developer Faces Backlash Over Cultural Representation Concerns

A petition aimed at addressing alleged cultural appropriation and whitewashing in MiHoYo games, including Genshin Impact, has gained significant traction. The number of signatories is steadily increasing, nearing the required total to prompt the company to take action within Genshin Impact and its other games.

MiHoYo, officially known as Shanghai MiHoYo Network Technology Co., Ltd., is a Chinese video game development and publishing company founded in 2012. MiHoYo is well-known for creating popular games like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The company has expanded its reach beyond gaming into various forms of media, including animated series, comics, music, novels, and merchandise. MiHoYo is driven by its slogan "Tech Otakus Save the World," reflecting its focus on leveraging technology and a deep passion for anime, comics, and games. However, the company has faced controversy regarding its representation of certain cultures in its video games.

So far, 60,915 out of a target of 75,000 people have signed the petition, with 16,042 of those signatures collected just today. The petition, hosted on the website Change.org, urges MiHoYo to commit to respectful and accurate representation of all cultures and to cease cultural appropriation and whitewashing in their games. Similar to previous Genshin Impact controversies, petitioners argue that the company appropriates indigenous cultures without proper representation. This issue is particularly prominent with characters from the Sumeru and Natlan regions in Genshin Impact, and from Penacony in Honkai Star Rail.

Petition Calls for Authentic Cultural Representation in MiHoYo Games

The petition calls on MiHoYo to collaborate with indigenous cultural experts, meticulously review current content for authenticity, and pledge to introduce a spectrum of diverse and respectful characters. According to the petitioners, these steps are crucial, particularly ahead of the Natlan region's debut in Genshin Impact, to ensure that these representations are accurate and inclusive.

Genshin Impact has faced significant backlash over accusations of whitewashing and cultural appropriation in the past, particularly with its Sumeru update. Critics argue that characters from the Middle Eastern and South Asian-inspired region predominantly have light skin tones, failing to represent the diversity of these cultures accurately. Additionally, characters like Dori have been seen as perpetuating harmful stereotypes, and pronunciation changes for names to cater to Western audiences have also sparked controversy. This petition underscores the significance of accurate and respectful cultural representation within the gaming industry, urging MiHoYo to promptly address these pressing concerns. As the petition gathers more signatures, it remains uncertain how MiHoYo will respond to the increasing demands.