The Right’s Hypocritical Gamergate Revival: Why a Once-Beloved Franchise Is Now Under Fire
Remember when certain gamers couldn’t stop praising Ghost of Tsushima as the pinnacle of gaming? Well, the sequel, Ghost of Yotei, has arrived—and suddenly, those same voices are crying foul. But here’s where it gets controversial: their outrage isn’t about the game’s mechanics or storytelling. It’s about the protagonist being a woman. And this is the part most people miss: the backlash isn’t just about Yotei—it’s part of a larger, decade-long pattern of right-wing gamers targeting progressive themes and minority representation in games.
Let’s rewind to 2020, during the height of COVID lockdowns, when Ghost of Tsushima and The Last of Us: Part 2 dropped within a month of each other. While Tsushima was hailed by a vocal right-wing gaming crowd as a masterpiece, The Last of Us: Part 2 became their punching bag. Why? Because it dared to feature a lesbian protagonist and a transgender character. Critics accused it of pushing a “woke agenda,” despite its complex narrative inspired by real-world conflicts like the Israel-Palestine issue. Fast forward to 2025, and Ghost of Yotei introduces Atsu, a female samurai seeking revenge—a role played by nonbinary actor Erika Ishii. Suddenly, the same gamers who adored Tsushima are labeling Yotei as “woke trash,” with YouTube creators and Gamergate figures like Mark Kern decrying its “progressive agenda.”
But here’s the kicker: Yotei is, at its core, a mechanically similar game to Tsushima, with a more nuanced protagonist whose quest for vengeance is both personal and compelling. So, what’s the real issue? It’s not the gameplay—it’s the fact that Atsu is a woman, and Ishii is unapologetically antifascist. This isn’t an isolated incident. Last year, Dragon Age: The Veilguard faced similar backlash when Ishii voiced a character, and the game allowed players to explore transgender identities. I know this firsthand: as a trans woman who worked on the game, I faced a barrage of transphobic abuse and violent threats simply for being credited.
And this is where it gets truly alarming: these campaigns of hate are influencing game development. Ubisoft recently canceled an Assassin’s Creed game set in post-Civil War America, where players would fight the KKK, citing “concerns over the political climate” and backlash against a Black samurai character in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Game executives are caving to a vocal minority, allowing their fear of controversy to stifle creativity and diversity.
Here’s the bold truth: featuring a female protagonist or casting a nonbinary actor shouldn’t be seen as a political statement. It’s only political because these reactionary voices have framed it that way. But I refuse to stay silent. If they can shout loud enough to shape the industry, I’ll shout louder in support of the games and creators I love. Because representation matters—and it’s worth fighting for.
Thought-provoking question for you: Is it fair for a vocal minority to dictate the direction of game development, or should the industry prioritize diverse storytelling despite the backlash? Let’s discuss in the comments.
