D&D 5E D&D's Inclusivity Language Alterations In Core Rules

In recent months, WotC has altered some of the text found in the original 5th Edition core rulebooks to accommodate D&D's ongoing move towards inclusivity. Many of these changes are reflected on D&D Beyond already--mainly small terminology alterations in descriptive text, rather than rules changes.

Teos Abadia (also known as Alphastream) has compiled a list of these changes. I've posted a very abbreviated, paraphrased version below, but please do check out his site for the full list and context.

• Savage foes changed to brutal, merciless, or ruthless.
• Barbarian hordes changed to invading hordes.
• References to civilized people and places removed.
• Madness or insanity removed or changed to other words like chaos.
• Usage of orcs as evil foes changed to other words like raiders.
• Terms like dim-witted and other synonyms of low intelligence raced with words like incurious.
• Language alterations surrounding gender.
• Fat removed or changed to big.
• Use of terms referring to slavery reduced or altered.
• Use of dark when referring to evil changed to words like vile or dangerous.

This is by no means the full list, and much more context can be found on Alphastream's blog post.

 

[Umbran]

However, from a corporate standpoint, it's a safe choice to avoid the risk of getting hit by an online mob when something 10 years old suddenly gets noticed, so it makes sense.

Mod Note:
Folks replying to this thread would do well to review this site's Terms and rules, specifically the section "Keep it inclusive". and consider their language before posting a reply.

Specifically, lumping folks with concerns together and calling them a "mob" is dismissive, and just about the exact opposite of carrying on a constructive conversation of the topic.

Ironic that this should need to be pointed out in a thread on inclusive language, but... there you go.

 

[Iosue]

Baldur's Gate 3 Scenes Deemed Too Risque For Japan

Some things were never going to fly.

screenrant.com

Thanks. A couple thoughts.

1. While not particularly surprised BG3 has nudity, I was not expecting “visible genitalia.” Which…yeah, that’s gonna get censored in Japan.

2. Jeez Louise, that article took forever to get to the point. Has no one at Screen Rant heard about “burying the lede?”

 

[Shardstone]

The text reads more interestingly now. I like it.

 

[Morrus]

2. Jeez Louise, that article took forever to get to the point. Has no one at Screen Rant heard about “burying the lede?”

How else are they going to be sure you see all the ads?

 

[MGibster]

1. While not particularly surprised BG3 has nudity, I was not expecting “visible genitalia.” Which…yeah, that’s gonna get censored in Japan.

Sometimes it's interesting to see what flies in our own home and what is forbidden elsewhere. I was absolutely floored when I learned Great Britain had the Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles and Michelangelo wasn't allowed to have nunchukus. Admittedly I was surprised by seeing the fully visible genitalia in BG3 as well.

 

[Blue Orange]

Sometimes it's interesting to see what flies in our own home and what is forbidden elsewhere. I was absolutely floored when I learned Great Britain had the Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles and Michelangelo wasn't allowed to have nunchukus. Admittedly I was surprised by seeing the fully visible genitalia in BG3 as well.

Some of the more notorious anime tropes came out of that ban in Japan. I won't go into more detail here, but Google 'Toshio Maeda' if you're curious.

 

[MGibster]

I also like the idea of not calling people slaves, but enslaved. That shows way better that they are victims. Not that slave is an inherent attribute of some people.

You're still defining people based on their status as slaves. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any particular problem referring to people as enslaved instead of slaves, it's been that way for a few years in the academic world, but I imagine we'll use it until such time as it comes to have the same negative association some have for "slaves" and we'll switch to something else. I find the euphemism treadmill to be an interesting example of how language changes over the years.

 

[sevenbastard]

Are they going to remove or reword "Heist" from "Dragon Heist" ?

 

[Charlaquin]

Are they going to remove or reword "Heist" from "Dragon Heist" ?

In what way is the word “heist” un-inclusive?

 

[DEFCON 1]

In what way is the word “heist” un-inclusive?

I suspect because they don't think a heist was actually included in the adventure.