Recently, Garena’s Free Fire Esports team faced criticism after releasing a trailer for the Free Fire World Series (FFWS) Global Final 2024. The promotional video, shared across various regional channels, showcased a character running up a marble stairway decorated with cultural graphics intended to celebrate global diversity. However, the stairway featured intricate designs and cultural symbols, including "Ram Darbar" displayed on the risers instead of the treads. This placement led to controversy, with many viewers feeling it disrespected a revered figure in Hinduism.
In Hindu culture, Ram is viewed as more than a deity; he symbolizes righteousness and the ideal way of life. The placement of the Ram Darbar emblem on a stairway concerned many fans, who believed it diminished its significance. Even though the video depicted the character jumping over the emblem instead of stepping on it, viewers in India and Indonesia—where Ram is deeply revered—considered the portrayal insensitive.
Garena's decision to film on the stairway and include it in the trailer appears to be central to the controversy. As the video drew attention, many fans voiced their dissatisfaction, criticizing Garena for what they saw as a significant oversight. While some viewers appreciated the attempt to highlight cultural diversity in gaming, others argued that using such symbols demands greater cultural sensitivity.
In reaction to the criticism, Free Fire Esports took down the video from all its official channels except in Malaysia. There, a revised version was uploaded that excluded the problematic segment. It remains uncertain whether the removal was driven by community pressure or an internal choice to rectify the issue.
Fans Reactions
The incident has heightened demands within the community for a public apology from Garena, with fans—particularly in India—calling for recognition of the cultural insensitivity. Furthermore, some players intend to boycott Free Fire MAX, the version available in India, unless an official apology is provided.
It's worth noting that the original Free Fire game is currently banned in India, adding to the challenges Garena faces with Indian fans. The community's response highlights a demand for gaming companies to be more mindful and respectful in their cultural representations, ensuring that future efforts to promote diversity do not inadvertently disrespect or misrepresent important cultural symbols.
While there’s a chance that the screenshot from the trailer shared by esportsinfo_ind on Instagram might have been altered, it seems unlikely, as the image blends seamlessly with the weathered textures and imperfections of the marble surface. IndiaTodayGaming has officially contacted Garena, who acknowledged the request but has not yet issued an official statement. We will keep our readers informed as soon as more information becomes available.
Watch the FFWS 2024 official trailer here:
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