Slashdot Mirror


A Criticism of Race Portrayal in Games

Joystiq points out (and comments incitefully on) a two-part examination of African-American roles in videogames on the site Black Voice News. Series author Richard Jones takes the videogame industry to task for the numerous poor images that young black people have to compare themselves to. He singles out Carl Johnson, the protagonist of GTA: San Andreas as an example. Jones also acknowledges that 'the video game industry is all about money', pointing out the unfortunate lack of black designers and illustrators in the industry to sway the creative choices of publisheres and developers. He gives a call to arms to black players, saying they should focus some of their passion on the skills required to make games. They'd get rich, he says, and work to reverse some of the negative stereotypes that non-whites are subject to in games. The Opposable Thumbs blog takes a critical look at his argument, offering up another side to the story. While it's obvious that Mr. Jones doesn't have a great grasp on the games industry itself, he would seem to make a few valid points as well.

6 of 141 comments (clear)

  1. We need more? by CRCulver · · Score: 2, Funny

    Look, the greatest game of all time already has a black protagonist: Shaq-Fu. I mean, after encountering that masterpiece, how could you ever want to play any other game?

  2. Gordon Freeman, anyone? by ScentCone · · Score: 2, Funny

    I mean, everyone knows he's Indo-Afro-Latino-Cau-freakin'-castic. The only thing he's not is Laplander. What we need are more Laplander game designers. Then we'd be playing some reindeer games, man.

    --
    Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
    1. Re:Gordon Freeman, anyone? by jb.hl.com · · Score: 3, Funny

      Cau-freakin'-castic

      Caucastic? Is that like some brand new description of Charlie Brooker or something that I haven't heard yet?

      "He's caustic...he's sarcastic...he's CAUCASTIC!"

      --
      By summer it was all gone...now shesmovedon. --
  3. Are you sure? by Uukrul · · Score: 3, Funny

    and all asian people go kung fu fighting.

    In my games when japanese girls fight agains enourmous tentacled monsters they don't go kung fu fighting. I think my games aren't stereotyped.

    --
    My city: Barcelona.
  4. Yeah, Elves are not as cool as people think by Timesprout · · Score: 2, Funny

    And are Orcs really soooo bad?

    --
    Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
    What truth?
    There is no dupe
  5. FF7 Berret Quotes by Arakageeta · · Score: 2, Funny

    Post Final Fantasy 7 Berret quotes here. I'll start: "But that's for Marlene's schoolin'!"