Does Race Matter in Video Games?

         The exhilaration of becoming a one man wrecking crew in a First Person Shooter (FPS) such as Call of Duty can be a form of entertainment unmatched by any other. On any given day millions of gamers can be online playing Madden 11 the world’s exclusive NFL title, or mimicking Sack boy within the Sony Little Big Planet video game community. The video game industry has provided games that immerse the player/consumer to an everlasting end. The Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3 have all implemented forms of motion sensor controllers. Motion sensors detect player’s physical movements without the need for a traditional controller. Immersive game development has been a key factor in the introduction of next generation systems to the casual gamer. Video game publishers plus developers have aimed to push video games to the podium of the entertainment industry in recent years.

         

         Currently publishers and developers have been faced with the issue of providing gamers with a fully immersive gaming experience. This dynamic has added the demand to provide consumers with video game characters that represent all race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and cultures. Matthew Kato (2011) of Game Informer explains,“ The topics of race can be an explosive one, and as we see in other media forms, who we are is not always reflected by what we see in the games we play”  (p. 12).  Kato emphasizes that,” This isn’t just a problem on your TV screen; the absence of diversity can be a problem behind the scenes at your favorite developer/publisher as well” (p. 12). The cable companies saw the need to add diversity to their TV programming decade’s ago. The expansion on diverse characters has provided multiple benefits. The addition of channels like BET and Telemundo has diversified the representation of multiple race, culture, and genders on television.

         

         Video games are an art form that provides a backdrop and over arching story to any character. The need to diversify the main characters from the typical white male super heroes only adds depth to the pool of stories for the player. Games such as Fallout 3 and Mass Effect 2 allow players to build an avatar before the game starts of any race or gender. Character customization has received critical acclaim within the gaming community on these 2 titles in particular. Kato (2011) mentions,” Character customization is a tool to allow players to create whatever diversity they want, including the chance to see themselves reflected in the game they are playing” (p. 12).  Morgan Gray (2011) the Development Director at 2k Marin believes, “One path to getting more racial diversity in video game characterization is on the ground floor with the developers themselves” (p. 12). There is no definitive answer on if the approach of character diversification in games will be more profitable, but it must be noted that it can only add to the experience.

         

         Video games such as Afro Samurai, Final Fantasy X, and Tomb Raider have proven that a diverse set of main characters can support successful franchises. Licensed sports games for the NBA, NFL, NCAA, and FIFA containing minority main characters prove further the profitability of a video game franchise with diverse main characters. The need to see oneself in a video game does not determine how good the game may be, but it adds a layer of immersion when you can easily see a character like yourself completing tasks in the game.

Outside Sources:

Dickerman, C., Christensen, J., & Kerl-McClain, S. (2008). Big Breasts and Bad Guys: Depictions of Gender and Race in Video Games. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 3(1), 20-29. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Kato, M. (2011) Widening the Scope – A look at racial diversity in video games - Game Informer, Volume XXI – Number 2 – Issue 214