Following public outcry regarding the upcoming operator Rauora in Rainbow Six Siege, Ubisoft has altered the character’s date of birth from March 15 to May 11. The original date coincidentally aligned with the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019, an event that resulted in significant loss of life.

This adjustment was made after players highlighted the insensitivity of the original date. Rauora is set to debut in March, and her background as a Māori character who served in New Zealand’s Special Air Service had generated excitement until the controversial detail was revealed.

Ubisoft issued a statement saying, “We apologize for the oversight and have taken immediate steps to change the birth date. The change has been made on the game’s website and will be implemented in the game via an update on March 4th.”

Community Response

Feedback from the gaming community was mixed, with many expressing disbelief regarding the choice of such a significant date. Comments on forums varied from confusion to concern, with some questioning the intentions behind selecting this date.

This incident has drawn media attention, including coverage from notable outlets like the New Zealand Herald, underscoring the repercussions of the company’s decision-making processes regarding character development in sensitive contexts.

Rauora is expected to add fresh perspectives to the game, but the developers are now under scrutiny to ensure that cultural elements are handled thoughtfully.