Peta calls ‘Far Cry 6’ video game ‘racist and speciesist’ over cock-fighting mini-game

Video game company Ubisoft released Far Cry 6 last week that involves a mini-game in which players can assume the role of a rooster and partake in a cockfight - and PETA called it out as “racist and speciest.”

The video game’s storyline takes place on a fictional Caribbean island named Yara, which follows protagonist Dani Rojas on a quest to overthrow a fascist regime run by Anton Castillo.

But throughout the game, players also have the freedom to collect and manage roosters in the mini-game.

The challenge is also set up similarly to a fighting game, including a character select screen, special moves, and several rounds. While some players seemed to welcome the change of momentum, others denounced the game company’s decision to include cockfighting.

PETA’s Latino branch took to their Twitter to address the mini-game.

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“Racist and speciesist. Contrary to your defense of your cockfighting  #FarCry6 mini-game, cruelty is not ‘Latin American Culture’. Glorifying violence towards animals as entertainment must stop. Shame on you,” they wrote.

Alicia Aguayo, the Senior Manager of PETA’s also shared a statement about the controversy.

“Turning a horrific blood sport like cockfighting into a Mortal Kombat–style video game match is a far cry from real innovation, as today’s society is strongly opposed to forcing animals to fight to the death,” she said, in part.

Cockfighting is still permitted in Cuba, which is believed to be the source of Yara’s inspiration. The animals do not appear to be bleeding or dying during the battles. However, they do lose feathers when they go beak-to-beak with the other roosters.

Some social media users have agreed with PETA’s sentiments surrounding the game.

“There are multiple reasons why having Cockfight as a mini-game can be problematic:1. It’s violent, inhumane, and illegal, 2. There are plenty of more interesting Latin American traditional games, 3. Any dev. in Far Cry 6 could have come up with a more creative mini-game,” someone wrote.

“To be honest, I’m not sure why more people aren’t bothered by far cry 6 having a cockfighting mini-game. People would feel differently if it were a dogfighting mini-game it’s not like, hunting or w/e. It’s just brazen animal cruelty. That s*** is weird, man,” another added.

Far Cry 6 isn’t the only game PETA has publicly called out.

They also spoke out against Animal Crossing: New Horizons for its in- game museum and the treatment of the fish.

At the time of writing, Ubisoft seemingly hasn’t publicly commented on the upheaval.