It’s just a video game, yet since its announcement the developers have received insults and death threats. It’s about Ecumene Azteca title that offers an original and controversial perspective on the history of the Spanish conquest of Mexico.
In fact, the player finds himself impersonating an Aztec warrior who must defend his land and his culture from European invaders. Just enough to outrage and unleash the ire of right-wing groupswho felt offended by the portrayal of Spaniards as enemies.
The developers of the game, in fact, are been victims of a campaign of intimidation and defamation by extremists, who even created a fake website with the name of the game publisher (Giantscraft) and a fake Instagram page. The site, which has nothing to do with the royal publisher, glorifies Spanish imperialism, while the Instagram page contains a link to another profile full of racist and provocative memes.
Players’ reception of Aztec Ecumene
The game has also generated debate among players, who have expressed mixed opinions on its concept and implementation. Some loved the idea of giving a voice to oppressed peoples and exploring a civilization underrepresented in video games. Others criticized the formulaic and inaccurate view of the Aztecs, with an incorrect reconstruction of the city of Tenochtitlan and with human sacrifices as part of the gameplay.
Another source of controversy has been the lack of the ability to play like the Spanish, seen by some as a form of censorship.
The release of Ecumene Aztec is scheduled for 2025, barring further “attacks” on the developers. The game already has its own Steam page.