So I wrote a letter to Jeff Kaplan, and today in the mail I got a response back...
Warning: You’re in for a bit of a read
I’m putting my letter I sent to him first, I understand the length might turn you off but I recommend you read it if you want context with some of the stuff Kaplan responses to but it’s not vital. Also, I blocked out some personal stuff, along with my location.
And then here’s Mr. Jeff Kaplan’s response:
Bless Mr. Kaplan, we’re really lucky to have a dev like him who’s willing to hear his fans. And while we love to revere Mr. Kaplan as almost a demi-god, I feel like this letter made him very human and kind. WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY!!
Doomfist is Nigerian and before you guys go crazy I just want to say a few things.
- There’s A LOT of tribes in Nigeria so just doing a small google search about Nigerian traditions, etc. will not be very fruitful. According to my wonderful mom, Akande is Yoruba (a tribe in west nigeria).
- For all you writers out there the language has the same name. Yoruba. Nigerian tribes as have completely different languages. (For example, I can understand Edo which is another tribe. If you try to talk to me in Yoruba I will have no idea what you are saying.)
- Let’s try not to slap a bunch of western stereotypes on him? Nigerians (and Africans in general) don’t talk like savages. His grammar should be completely correct, especially since he comes from a wealthy family. Don’t try and bring random animals into his life. (Ex. He fought a lion with his bare hands or something stupid.)
- Africa is not on another planet. Please don’t act like he’s alien to technology, or western things. He obviously knows what a smart phone and social media is.
- LAST THING: He’s being characterised as smart and charismatic! Don’t make him into a brainless, hothead who like punching things.
Thankssssss!
With Efi’s introduction, we were once again reminded of Gabrielle Adawe. She was UN secretary and basically the founder of Overwatch during the first omnic crisis. While there is no official imagery of Adawe, this artwork by Ludo Lullabi from the cancelled First Strike novel pictures an african woman who seems to be introducing future Overwatch heroes, like Reinhardt, Morrison, and Torbjorn, to each other. It is unknown if Adawe is still alive during the game events, but the airport in Numbani is named after her.
if you play healer no one will tank if you tank no one will heal if you dps someone will get on mic and hold you specifically personally responsible for the lack of tanks and healers and that’s called the Kaplan Triangle