‘Killmonger Locs’ Are Everywhere in Video Games. This Artist Is Sick of It
Technical artist Ebonix is criticizing the video game industry for its persistent reliance on 'Killmonger locs' as a default for Black hairstyles. She argues that developers often use this style because it is easier to code than more complex, natural Black hair textures.
Why it matters
The article sheds light on the intersection of technical limitations and cultural representation in digital media, highlighting how coding defaults can perpetuate stereotypes.
It wasn't because she didn't want to create for the game. Udogaranya, better known as Ebonix, has spent over a decade creating custom content for life-simming games with the goal of helping people see themselves on digital screens. Her hesitation stemmed from the physical toll it takes to craft the perfect digital coil, braid, and kink—painstakingly long hours and tedious precision.
“I thought to myself, why am I still having to do this?” Udogaranya, a technical artist who has a degree in psychology, tells WIRED.
Fans of games like The Sims spend time flipping through her sites, downloading custom hair packs inspired by real-life styles not otherwise available in-game. As of now, the Ebonix Patreon has over 115,000 members, and hundreds of both free and paid content items.
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