The Problem with Cultural Appropriation

[ZerlumpterDoktor]

I understand that Farming Simulator is struggling to implement new content, and I can partly see why the developers wanted to expand into the East Asian setting.

However, what I don’t understand is this: when incorporating a new culture—whether in film, books, or games—especially one that is fundamentally different from our Western culture, why isn’t there a more thorough effort to engage with that culture, particularly in a simulation game?

How is it that currencies like the Euro, Dollar, and Pound are included, yet neither the Yen nor the Yuan? Why do the buildings in this city mostly follow a European or American architectural style? Why are the billboards designed in a European manner, even with European-style advertising slogans? Were are Asian characters? In the prequel, you were able to assign specific nations to your maps. So why not here? Why is there only talk of East Asian instead of Japan, China, or Korea?

It makes me wonder: did a design team even go to Japan or China to become familiar with local infrastructure and architecture? What about typical plants and trees from those regions? Japanese red pine, Sakhalin fir, maple, wisteria—just to name a few examples.

In its current state, it feels to me like Giants Software's goal was to create a colonialist fantasy of the Asian region, stamping it with a Western identity. It’s as if we're shaping the world and other cultures however we want, instead of actually engaging with them.

I find that not only disappointing but frankly alarming.

[Professor Funpancake]

Dude shut the ♥♥♥♥ up. Its a farming game not politics

[ZerlumpterDoktor]

引用自 Professor Funpancake：

Dude shut the ♥♥♥♥ up. Its a farming game not politics

Cultural appropriation isn’t about politics; it’s about respect and consideration for other cultures. If you already see that as political, then maybe you should consider whether you're simply being selfish.

[Cyb3rM4n]

Growing rice is *shuffles cards* cultural appropriation. Pull yourself together.

[Middy]

You're just easily alarmed and will likely never find peace.

[Professor Funpancake]

引用自 ZerlumpterDoktor：

引用自 Professor Funpancake：

Dude shut the ♥♥♥♥ up. Its a farming game not politics

Cultural appropriation isn’t about politics; it’s about respect and consideration for other cultures. If you already see that as political, then maybe you should consider whether you're simply being selfish.

引用自 ZerlumpterDoktor：

I understand that Farming Simulator is struggling to implement new content, and I can partly see why the developers wanted to expand into the East Asian setting.

However, what I don’t understand is this: when incorporating a new culture—whether in film, books, or games—especially one that is fundamentally different from our Western culture, why isn’t there a more thorough effort to engage with that culture, particularly in a simulation game?

How is it that currencies like the Euro, Dollar, and Pound are included, yet neither the Yen nor the Yuan? Why do the buildings in this city mostly follow a European or American architectural style? Why are the billboards designed in a European manner, even with European-style advertising slogans? Were are Asian characters? In the prequel, you were able to assign specific nations to your maps. So why not here? Why is there only talk of East Asian instead of Japan, China, or Korea?

It makes me wonder: did a design team even go to Japan or China to become familiar with local infrastructure and architecture? What about typical plants and trees from those regions? Japanese red pine, Sakhalin fir, maple, wisteria—just to name a few examples.

In its current state, it feels to me like Giants Software's goal was to create a colonialist fantasy of the Asian region, stamping it with a Western identity. It’s as if we're shaping the world and other cultures however we want, instead of actually engaging with them.

I find that not only disappointing but frankly alarming.

Let me refute you since you seem to just be rage baiting. Have you even opened the game yet?
- You can make your character asian male or female.
- On the map with asian culture, there is an asian character 10 feet from your starting position.

If you are going to think you are so high and mighty get your facts straight.

[✠ Code Talker]

引用自 ZerlumpterDoktor：

I understand that Farming Simulator is struggling to implement new content, and I can partly see why the developers wanted to expand into the East Asian setting.

However, what I don’t understand is this: when incorporating a new culture—whether in film, books, or games—especially one that is fundamentally different from our Western culture, why isn’t there a more thorough effort to engage with that culture, particularly in a simulation game?

How is it that currencies like the Euro, Dollar, and Pound are included, yet neither the Yen nor the Yuan? Why do the buildings in this city mostly follow a European or American architectural style? Why are the billboards designed in a European manner, even with European-style advertising slogans? Were are Asian characters? In the prequel, you were able to assign specific nations to your maps. So why not here? Why is there only talk of East Asian instead of Japan, China, or Korea?

It makes me wonder: did a design team even go to Japan or China to become familiar with local infrastructure and architecture? What about typical plants and trees from those regions? Japanese red pine, Sakhalin fir, maple, wisteria—just to name a few examples.

In its current state, it feels to me like Giants Software's goal was to create a colonialist fantasy of the Asian region, stamping it with a Western identity. It’s as if we're shaping the world and other cultures however we want, instead of actually engaging with them.

I find that not only disappointing but frankly alarming.

Desperate for clown awards, are we?

[jocking]

It's like that because it's a "generic asian" map, not set in any of the countries (but since it's right hand drive we can say for sure that it's not japan).

[Zookes]

Game is art, doing art things with funny foreign cultures. Who cares? It works.

[Boyko Borisov]

引用自 ZerlumpterDoktor：

引用自 Professor Funpancake：

Dude shut the ♥♥♥♥ up. Its a farming game not politics

Cultural appropriation isn’t about politics; it’s about respect and consideration for other cultures. If you already see that as political, then maybe you should consider whether you're simply being selfish.

How many times have you been to China?

[Itsapaul]

Well you got one jester emote with this jester farm, so grats I guess?

[Promark_747™]

引用自 Professor Funpancake：

Dude shut the ♥♥♥♥ up. Its a farming game not politics

has a right to voice his opinion.

[Jason]

Lmao, bro Trump won get over it ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ this isn't exactly the right place to dump your purse.

[Professor Funpancake]

引用自 Promark_747™：

引用自 Professor Funpancake：

Dude shut the ♥♥♥♥ up. Its a farming game not politics

has a right to voice his opinion.

He does, but Im still going to call it stupid.

[Gold Merchant Lev]

Just pretend its European colonisation of a generic Asian country. Harris bros are taking their loss really badly

[Wizard]

People today have some serious coping issues, like the OP. Just play the damn game.