Racism in games

[DW]

You know the info that's been released on Resident Evil 5 so far? You know, this African village has had everyone turned into zombies and such. Well apparently it's causing a lot of outrage because people are saying it's racist.

Yes.

The village that's been infected with the virus is populated by black-skinned people. Clearly, they believe all black people are zombies.

Honestly, some people are just looking for ways to point the finger at 'racists'.

Anyways, when I read about this, I started thinking about how races are portrayed in games. And I've realized that almost everyone in a game is indeed white--except for games like Grand Theft Auto. My thoughts are that since a majority of games are made by Japan...well, there's not many dark-skinned people in Japan. It may just be what they're used to. I seriously doubt there's really any hardcore hatred for non-whites in the video game industry.

So I guess basically this topic serves two purposes--first, to discuss the whole RE5 controversy, and second, to discuss racism in video games in general.

...

Mostly, I can't sleep and I want to get the forums somewhat active again -_-

[Twilight Wolf]

In all of my experience with "Crazy Taxi" on the Dreamcast, only the black people want to go to KFC...

In all seriousness, though, why is "Resident Evil 5" racist for having a virus outbreak in an African village? That's not racist, it's just where it happened. If the virus was somehow designed to only attack black people, that could be considered racist.

[Fishalicious]

I think it's the fact that there aren't a lot of darker people in Japan, I agree- (of course I'd bring this series up) in Silent Hill 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, everyone's white. Well, not everyone- Cynthia and (I think?) Angela are hispanic.

However, when the American branch began exclusively making games, there got to be more of a variety in it. It's not that the Japanese are racist, it's just that the vast majority (90% or so) is exclusively Japanese.

Silent Hill 5 has a black guy in it. :v Deputy Wheeler. Maybe it's just that 5th installments have black people in them?

Or maybe it's that now we're having reverse racism by being afraid of being racist because racism is bad and we know that now?

[Takun]

I think it's the fact that there aren't a lot of darker people in Japan, I agree- (of course I'd bring this series up) in Silent Hill 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, everyone's white. Well, not everyone- Cynthia and (I think?) Angela are hispanic.

However, when the American branch began exclusively making games, there got to be more of a variety in it. It's not that the Japanese are racist, it's just that the vast majority (90% or so) is exclusively Japanese.

Silent Hill 5 has a black guy in it. :v Deputy Wheeler. Maybe it's just that 5th installments have black people in them?

Or maybe it's that now we're having reverse racism by being afraid of being racist because racism is bad and we know that now?

I always though it was odd that the black dude in horror movies always died first...

But yeah, I'd have to go with the fact the most japanese people are white.

[Fishalicious]

Japanese people are Japanese, not white.

[Zelda Veteran]

I think it's the fact that there aren't a lot of darker people in Japan, I agree- (of course I'd bring this series up) in Silent Hill 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, everyone's white. Well, not everyone- Cynthia and (I think?) Angela are hispanic.

However, when the American branch began exclusively making games, there got to be more of a variety in it. It's not that the Japanese are racist, it's just that the vast majority (90% or so) is exclusively Japanese.

Silent Hill 5 has a black guy in it. :v Deputy Wheeler. Maybe it's just that 5th installments have black people in them?

Or maybe it's that now we're having reverse racism by being afraid of being racist because racism is bad and we know that now?

I always though it was odd that the black dude in horror movies always died first...

But yeah, I'd have to go with the fact the most japanese people are white.

Japanese people are Japanese, not white.

Stupidity.
Taking it to whole new levels.

People will ALWAYS have something to complain about. They'd still be upset if they weren't in the game at all. The truth of it is, the race card is too easy to play, and it can stir up a lot of trouble. Thats why they do it so often. >.<

[Keaton]

Modern racism is so played up compared to what it used to be.  Even in the 80's it was much worse than it is today-- this isn't even worth mentioning.  It's not like the zombies were ghosts that threw white sheets over themselves and rode on horses and burned crosses.

[Pale Dim]

I wonder is it's just a coincidence that Ganondorf looks like a black guy... or maybe it isn't. Hmmmmm.....

[MagmarFire]

Well, since he lived in the desert for most of life (or I'd assume so, being the king of the Gerudo), all of that sun exposure probably caught up to him.

[Pale Dim]

Maybe so, but how many games in 1998 actually went with science physics? A few, maybe. (That is some serious sunburn...)

[darkphantomime]

I honestly think he looks more middle-eastern.

[Twilight Wolf]

Maybe so, but how many games in 1998 actually went with science physics?

"Half-Life" sure did.

On topic, though, I think people usually look far too much into things when they declare something "racist." Any minor detail can be twisted into whatever someone wants. Many times, they don't take into consideration the context or the intent, just what's in front of them.

[Pale Dim]

Yeah, well, maybe. No further comments, your honor.

[xarlote]

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[xarlote]

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