InfinityNikki cultural appropriation controversy

Overview

The upcoming open-world dress-up game Infinity Nikki has come under fire after recent previews revealed in-game outfits drawing from Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) and Indigenous cultures. Fans and players, including many from those communities, have voiced concerns that the depictions cross the line into cultural appropriation. The controversy has sparked extensive discussion on social media and gaming forums, leading to a call for greater cultural sensitivity from the game’s Chinese developer, Papergames.

Background: What is Infinity Nikki?

Infinity Nikki is a highly anticipated open-world adventure and dress-up video game from Chinese developer Papergames, the creators of the popular mobile fashion games Love Nikki-Dress Up Queen and Shining Nikki. In Infinity Nikki, players follow the protagonist Nikki on a journey through the magical world of Miraland. Unlike its predecessors, Infinity Nikki is a cross-platform 3D open-world RPG (planned for PC, mobile, and console) where players can explore expansive landscapes, solve puzzles, and collect outfits, all centered around fashion.

The game was first unveiled in late 2022 with a teaser trailer that showcased lush environments and whimsical gameplay. Fans expressed excitement about the series' evolution, comparing its exploratory style to titles like Genshin Impact but with a unique focus on fashion.

The Controversial Content Reveal

The current controversy ignited after a recent Chinese livestream showcased a new region known as the Terra Alliance, which appears heavily inspired by real-world MENA and Indigenous cultures. Fans quickly identified two specific design elements as problematic:

• “Moon Goddess” Belly Dancer Outfit: A new 5-star dress, dubbed the “Moon Goddess” outfit, features Nikki in a lavish ensemble resembling a traditional belly dancer’s costume, complete with a jewel-encrusted top, flowing skirts, and a sheer veil. Critics argue that presenting a "moon goddess" dressed as a generic belly dancer trivializes and stereotypes MENA cultural attire, reducing diverse traditions to an exotic fantasy costume.
• Feathered Headdress: Another revealed design showed a character wearing a large, ceremonial-looking feathered headdress reminiscent of sacred war bonnets from some Indigenous Native American / First Nations cultures. Such headdresses hold deep spiritual and cultural significance. Using them as a fashion accessory in a game struck many as a blatant act of cultural appropriation.

Infinity Nikki’s controversial designs as shown in a recent preview. Critics say the designs appropriate MENA and Indigenous cultural attire. (Source: Papergames / Bilibili Livestream via Reddit)

Fan Backlash and Accusations of Cultural Appropriation

Reaction from the Infinity Nikki community was swift. Many fans, particularly those from the cultures being depicted, took to social media and forums like Reddit to voice their dismay. They argued that the game’s portrayal of their cultural symbols is culturally insensitive.

Some MENA players expressed frustration that belly dancing outfits are frequently used as an inaccurate trope to represent their cultures. “It’s disappointing to see my culture reduced to a caricature,” said one player on Twitter.

Likewise, Indigenous players and advocates decried the use of a feathered war bonnet. “Those headdresses are not just pretty accessories; they’re sacred,” wrote one user on the Infinity Nikki subreddit. “Seeing Nikki wearing one as a fantasy costume hurts – it feels like our traditions are being used as a prop.”

Community Discussion: Appropriation vs. Appreciation

The uproar led to a deeper discussion about the line between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation is widely defined as the adoption of elements from a marginalized culture by a more dominant one without permission, stripping those elements of their original meaning. Cultural appreciation, on the other hand, involves respectful sharing and accurate representation.

Community members from the affected cultures argue that their symbols were not presented with the necessary context or respect, crossing the line into appropriation. One Redditor drove this point home in a post titled “It won’t hurt you to be compassionate”, urging players to approach these concerns with empathy:

“I can understand how being privileged makes it hard to hear some struggles or stereotypes others face, but it will not kill you to try to understand why people are upset that their culture is (once again) being trivialized and used with no respect... Preserve your peace and talk about it with the players that actually want to make the game better.”

This sentiment reflects the frustration of many who felt their concerns were being dismissed by other parts of the community.

Moderators Step In Amid Heated Debate

As debates raged, the moderators of the r/InfinityNikki subreddit stepped in. In a pinned post titled “Dismissing POC concerns and racism,” they issued a stern warning:

“Dismissing POC concerns is not ok and will get you a temporary ban... anyone being racist, discriminatory, or a bigot gets a permanent ban with no chance of appeals... this community is meant to be safe and welcoming for everyone.”

The moderators’ intervention highlights how divisive the topic had become, underscoring the need for respectful dialogue.

Déjà Vu: Echoes of Love Nikki’s Past Controversy

Longtime fans noted this isn’t the first time Papergames has faced such criticism. About eight years ago, the original Love Nikki sparked a similar outcry with a character named Ransa, who wore a Native American-style feathered headdress. The backlash prompted the game's Western publisher, Elex, to hold a poll, and players voted to have Ransa’s outfit and illustrations removed from the international server.

Fans point out the similarity between the 2017 Love Nikki controversy (left) and the new Infinity Nikki design (right), arguing the developer has not learned from past mistakes. (Source: r/LoveNikki / r/InfinityNikki)

However, the content was reportedly never removed from the Chinese version of the game. Now, fans are dismayed to see history repeating itself. As one disappointed fan wrote in a Reddit thread titled "The fact that Papergames still redo this mistake again after 8 years," the new headdress suggests the developer did not internalize the lessons from the Ransa controversy.

Community Calls for Change

In the wake of the backlash, players are calling on Papergames and its global publishing arm, InFold, to address the issue before the game’s global release. Fans are advocating for the removal or redesign of the offending items and are encouraging the community to voice their concerns directly to the developers.

As of this article’s publication, Papergames has not yet issued an official statement. It remains to be seen whether the developers will alter the designs, but the incident has shown that the game's community is watching closely and is ready to demand respectful representation.

The Infinity Nikki cultural appropriation controversy serves as a potent reminder of the broader conversation happening in gaming: diversity and inspiration are welcome, but they must be paired with understanding and respect.