I don't think players being racist is the reason Maru is one of the least popular characters, I think the reason is that CA accidentally made her the token black character with almost no flaws and a story that's not explored enough, so some people find her "boring". For example, we don't have any cutscene about her friendship with Penny, the only thing we know is that sometimes they hang out together but that's it, her relationship with Sebastian doesn't seem to evolve, and one of her heart events focus more on her father than her. She had potential and the writing doesn't do her justice. I don't think CA was being purposely racist, this is a trope most white writers subconsciously fall into when trying to add diversity, I just wish he had been more aware of it :__
i really hate that im replying to a submission again but racism is never accidental... yes it's usually subconscious, like it probably is for CA, but that's not an excuse, in fact that's how racism presents the majority of the time. like i know what you're trying to say, but there's no need to sugarcoat it and say he didn't mean to, his intent doesn't matter.
i appreciate your specific critique on maru's writing though and you bring up a good point about responsibility (players vs. writer)