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Sony has blocked the pre-ordering of Rise of the Ronin for the South Korean region from the PS Store. Despite no official announcement from Sony, it is expected that the game will not be released in South Korea.
The game director’s remarks regarding Yoshida Shoin have sparked much backlash from the Korean gaming community.
Rise of the Ronin, an eagerly awaited PlayStation 5 exclusive, has hit a roadblock in South Korea following contentious remarks made by the game’s director, as reported by various sources. The pre-ordering of the game has been halted on the PlayStation Store for South Korean accounts, hinting at a potential cancellation for the region.
In a revealing “Behind the Scenes” video shedding light on the game’s development, the game’s lead, Fumihiko Yasuda from Team Ninja, sparked controversy by drawing parallels between Yoshida Shoin, a historical figure advocating for Japanese expansion into Korean territories, and the revered philosopher Socrates.
In the video, Yasuda seemingly praised the ideology propagated by Yoshida Shoin, which advocates for Japan’s dominance over Korea. Given the historical tensions between Japan and Korea, these remarks have ignited fierce backlash within the Korean gaming community, leading Sony to take action by restricting pre-orders in the region.
Rise of the Ronin transports players to the tumultuous Bakumatsu era, offering a glimpse into Japan’s final years during the Edo Period in the 19th century.
Developed by Nioh's Team Ninja, the game has been in the works since 2015, showcasing the studio’s expertise in crafting immersive historical narratives, evident in their acclaimed Nioh series.
While Sony has yet to issue an official statement regarding the game’s fate in South Korea, the absence of pre-orders for South Korean accounts suggests a bleak outlook.
As gamers anticipate its global release on March 22, the controversy surrounding Rise of the Ronin serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between historical representation and cultural sensitivity in the gaming industry.
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