Gotham Knights, controversy over the disability of the Batgirl character
Gotham Knights
Despite some misgivings, Gotham Knights gameplay has generally been well received. However, controversy has raged around the Batgirl character description. In fact, her file states that a woman's willpower is the key to healing the debilitating wounds that have forced her into a wheelchair.This description has aroused a lot a stir, as it perpetuates the “Super Crip” theme of disability, in which characters simply train to overcome a disability in a rather heroic, but unrealistic way. In the case of Gotham Knights, Barbara trained to overcome a disability that forced her into a wheelchair and reprized the role of Batgirl. The description has received a lot of backlash this month, leading Creative Director Patrick Redding to address the issue. In a Q&A on Discord, Redding replied to some fans who asked him for information on the subject. The team listened to the criticism and feedback and worked with the great people at AbleGamers to learn about the different types of spinal injuries and the chances for someone to regain mobility.| ); }
still not over the backstory they gave to barbara in gotham knights, just terrible pic.twitter.com/E5E3YQpt4D
- ♥ ︎ • KAID DAY • stranger things spoilers (@ SIM0NJESS) May 10, 2022
Finally, let's remember that just a few weeks ago, Warner Bros. Games released a 13-minute gameplay video to introduce Gotham Knights. The movie focuses on two well-known characters of DC fans, namely Nightwing (known by the Italian name of Sparrowhawk) and Red Hood (known in our language as the Red Hood). The new chapter of the Batman saga is scheduled for October 25, 2022.
WB Changes Batgirl's Gotham Knights Biography Following Criticism
WB Montreal has responded to criticism that Batgirl's official biography for Gotham Knights is a harmful trope of disabled people, and has made adjustments to her description accordingly.
In a Discord Q&A, as reported by Eurogamer, Gotham Knights developers acknowledged the controversy around Barbara Gordon, whose biography was published to the game's website recently. The initial criticism of her backstory centered on her ending up in a wheelchair after an unspecified 'face-off' but returning to 'active duty' as Batgirl following training.
While it's unclear what her injury in Gotham Knights entails, in the comics, Barbara is shot in the spine, and many fans pointed out that overcoming a disability through sheer training and determination is an inaccurate and harmful trope throughout media.
During the Q&A, however, creative director Patrick Redding said that the Gotham Knights team 'worked with the awesome folks at AbleGamers to learn about different types of spinal injuries and the potential for someone to regain mobility.'
He then noted that her biography on the official website has since been adjusted to read, 'With extensive training and rehabilitation, she recovered from her wounds, and returned to active duty as Batgirl.' Additionally, he clarified that the specifics of her injury in Gotham Knights would differ from the comics, and that she had undergone multiple surgeries, physical therapy, and pain management. She also wears clothing with 'back bracing integrated,' and some of her rehabilitation process will be depicted in Gotham Knights itself.
Gotham Knights - 6 New Screenshots
Gotham Knights is headed to PS5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC on October 25, but will skip PS4 and Xbox One. It's set in a different universe from the Arkhan games, and includes a combat system specifically designed for co-op.
Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.
