Like clockwork, a Rockstar title has met with its first controversy. The open-world western Red Dead Redemption is under fire from the Irish Herald, for including a drunken Irish man named "Irish." A bit on the nose, Rockstar.
The article praises the game's massive scope and western themes, but takes offense to Rockstar's use of an offensive stereotype. "The stereotype of the drunken Paddy will again be taken advantage of, as the game's town drunk is called "Irish"," the article reads. It also claims the drunk character "sours the launch" of the game for Irish players. It seems as if the Herald isn't particularly surprised that a game included the joke, but it is probably difficult to get out from under such a pervasive insult.

Of course, Rockstar is no stranger to controversy. The Grand Theft Auto series, which Red Dead Redemption borrows heavily from, made waves with its "Kill the Haitians!" mission, along with other ethnic stereotypes scattered throughout. Red Dead takes a more subtle approach in its Wild West setting, without many of the urban racial tensions that define the GTA series. But it just couldn't resist the old Irish joke, and the company has once again offended a group in the process.

This world is such a sensitive place now, it's amazing.

lol first my friend described this game to me as "Grand Theft Donkey" and now the Irish are mad? I have to get this!