forums.rs

Forums

Diversity failures in RS3/OSRS Thread is locked

Quick find code: 285-286-903-66243369

of 17
Immortalized
Mar Member 2006

Immortalized

Posts: 34,061 Sapphire Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
I want to talk about a sensitive subject. On February 24, 2020, a patch was made:

Original message details are unavailable.
The word ‘Gypsy’ has been removed from Aris’ name and examine text as this word could be interpreted as a racial slur.
Various NPCs in Karamja have been given more appropriate titles.
Various NPCs in the Kharidian Desert have had their name changed from 'Ali' to better reflect the diverse variety of names we see in real life.
Some dialogue in the Kindred Spirits quest has been altered to remove unintended offense.
I have come to agree with this as a positive update. Calling everybody "Ali" is quite simply offensive, borderline racist, as they are real people too, not, 'oh another Ali' in the desert. Same for "Tribesman" and "Gypsy" being renamed, as this was borderline racist as said.

However, I am put off by two very questionable things I have noticed since then:

1. There is still an NPC with the name Aligra Nite
2. This update was never applied to OSRS

The first is incredibly offensive, for the same reason this update was applied, but even more so. Aligra Nite, if you have not caught it, is a pun on "Ali" and "Granite" put together. His job? He just buys granite from the player in the granite mining area of the desert. I am appalled that Jagex chose not to give him a more realistic name; he canonically represents the very issue they meant to address, and it is even more offensive because his name has been made into a pun of the simple function he performs in this game. Very dehumanizing and heartlessly shameful of Jagex to do this.

The second is even more disgusting. If Jagex truly stands by these principles, why has OSRS not been updated? If this was an attempt to correct diversity lapses, and even racist themes, I am left with the upsetting takeaway that the OSRS team is at best, oblivious, or at worst, anti-diversity and even racist. Not to sound over the top, but I am not sure how else I am supposed to interpret the lack of action here.

This is disappointing. Buy Zemomarks / Chromatic Partyhats safely here

16-Jan-2022 03:40:09

The contents of this message have been hidden.

16-Jan-2022 07:12:14

The contents of this message have been hidden.

16-Jan-2022 08:55:24

SlR
Nov Member 2020

SlR

Posts: 4,378 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_popular_given_names#Male_names_3

I personally don't see an issue with them using common names.
So what do you propose as an alternative? Bob says:
A bank PIN will keep your items secure.
Always check the second trade screen.
Never trade in the Wilderness!
Keep your computer keylogger-free and virus scanned.
Never give your password out to anyone.

16-Jan-2022 13:46:13 - Last edited on 16-Jan-2022 13:46:33 by SlR

Quick find code: 285-286-903-66243369 Back to Top