"The approach to this had to start by having just proper representation on the team, ensuring that we have Black women and women of colour on our narrative team is key for understanding and writing Hazel's voice."įor Sears, Hazel stands out because she has "many of the same issues as real people have", which is "refreshing as she's trying to learn to be a hero". "To tell the story of a Black woman in this setting creates another level of complexity that the team had to meet with curiosity and empathy," Lewis says in the Xbox interview.
Described as "outwardly confident and wisecracking", Hazel has a complex relationship with her mother and has grown up experiencing multiple failures and societal injustice. Square Enix did, however, employ paid consultants to analyse its representation.In South of Midnight, we'll be following the story of Hazel, who's said to have taken on the role of protector. This news is welcome for authentic representation, particularly in the wake of Forspoken and controversy regarding perceived Black stereotypes and an all-white writing team. Making her an authentic person that people like my wife, my daughter, my mother - who all look like Hazel - will hopefully recognise and relate to." Her job is to be seen as a person coming of age in a scary and beautiful world. Hazel's job is not to fix racism or the South's troubled history. Lewis continued: "At the end of the day, we want Hazel's story to shine through. And it's about her finding her footing and going out into the world to make it a better place." "I think the reason Hazel stands out for me is she has many of the same issues as real people have, which is refreshing as she's trying to learn to be a hero," Sears added when discussing the character. "To tell the story of a Black woman in this setting creates another level of complexity that the team had to meet with curiosity and empathy." "I think part of the trouble of having limited representation is that it can put a lot of pressure on any one character to represent every aspect of a culture," Lewis said. Speaking with Xbox following South of Midnight's reveal, Lewis, along with creative director David Sears, discussed the team's responsibility to represent Hazel correctly in their upcoming game. Watch on YouTube South of Midnight's announcement trailer.
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