Elden Ring “failed” Black people. Journalist criticized From Software’s new project

The Verge was unable to create a proper Black character because the game features only one “black” hairstyle

While most players and even journalists are praising Elden Ring and enjoying thrilling adventures in the Lands Between, a reporter from The Verge found a reason, unexpected by many, to criticize the new project from Japanese studio From Software.

Ash Parrish disliked the character creator, which, despite a variety of options allowing players to create a hero with almost any appearance, offers only one Black hairstyle — an afro. 

“America takes pleasure in reminding me every day that I am a Black woman and how it hates me, as well as other marginalized people. Character creators contribute to this strange sense of awareness of one’s ‘otherness’ through the options developers see fit to include. Hairstyle is one of those options. Nothing makes me feel more uncomfortable than when a game lacks at least a few unusual hairstyles. There are over 20 different styles of straight hair in Elden Ring — with varying lengths, wave styles, parts, braids. But at the same time, no hairstyle worn by an entire continent of people? What kind of math is that?”.

Elden Ring is an action game with role-playing elements developed by From Software, a studio located in Tokyo, Japan.