Cultural Inspiration is defined as the drawing of ideas, elements, and practices from a wide variety of cultures to create something brand new. There is no malice behind taking inspiration as long as it is done in a respectful and clear manner. Inspiration is taken from the real world, how people interact, cultures, and practices. This is done as a way of embracing and celebrating diversity.

While cultural inspiration is not harmful, cultural appropriation is. The practice of cultural appropriation is defined as unacknowledged or misrepresented people, customs, practices, and cultures from the real world. Cultural appropriation is  harmful, offensive, and reinforces negative stereotypes of which erases and reforms how a person is supposed to view and understand a culture.

Video games are often guilty of cultural appropriation and misrepresentation.