fantastic article on diversity in gaming. I hope you take the time out of your day to read it, I absolutely love it and it’s v important. Especially with BL2, this is a good read.
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I saw you post this yesterday, and pretty much predicted that there would be a “Truxican Standoff” of people considering whether or not to comment on this. With mutually assured destruction being the only foreseeable outcome as everyone only every worries about the crazies from either side coming out of the woodwork.
I read the article. I agree with his points on the idea that diversity in gaming can absolutely potentially be about adding, and not necessarily subtracting. I concur with much of what he says in it’s entirety. I don’t particularly like the writing style (over-reference, mixed analogies), but for all I know that is how his editor believes he’ll get people to read through an opinion piece.
Now with the article reference out of the way, let me get to the substance of the matter.
Diversity in gaming isn’t a “political agenda”, the notion of it in a media platform is absolutely absurd. 100% of AAA games and well over 99% of all games in general originate from countries that have specific provisions in them that allow for freedom of artistic expression. This government guarantee is usually nothing more than an extension of existing freedom of speech laws, and art as a category most often goes under that sphere. As such, there have been those who have found issue with the fact that the industry seems to cater mainly to white heterosexual males. The United States, being one of the largest game producers and one of the most heterogeneous countries on the list, naturally takes the majority of the blame.
Women are often hypersexualized or treated as trophies. Black characters can often lack nuance, and are required to speak in ebonics. Homosexual males must be flamboyant (and their sexuality is the only recognizable aspect of their characters). Transgender and Disabled are practically ignored as some entities traveling here from rift in space-time.
(NOTE: I know there are plenty of examples of games breaking those cliches I have listed above. The reference, ironically, is a generalization that shows a trend.)
Inclusive gaming isn’t an agenda, it’s almost surely a right. An individual has no more right to prohibit some one from making a homosexual character the focus of a storyline than gay men would have the right to do so with a heterosexual character. Any form of expression must be opened to the public, and in being so, should more often than not reflect the public.
My favorite argument I heard was that many of these ‘gamers’ found it difficult to play as a “gay character”, as they found it very difficult to relate with his interests or his plight. Something I am certain must have had every gay man from here to Tangier laughing until they realized how sad the irony was.
If you really think there is a “war on games” compare GTA, DOA and clones of the pair to the few instances of games with a diverse cast (i.e. Borderlands), if there is a war, inclusive gaming is losing.
But that isn’t to say that all the voices on the side of diversity are in anyway positive ones, more often than not they’re leeches to the cause.
The Borderlands we all know and love was targeted by several groups for their portrayal of “Miss Moxxi” as the overtly sexual femme fatale she was. They claimed that she was a “trope” and nothing more. First, they’re about as dim as Good Friday, when you consider the fact that Moxxi is a god-damn satire. Secondly, and I feel as if I must say far more importantly, even if that is how they wished to portray here, with absolutely no cheek to it, they’d have the right to do so.
Having an entire cast of women strut out in bikinis and fight in that manner is one thing, having a single female in a diverse cast be overtly sexualized is nothing more than an inevitability. One that occurs in reality. (I thought we were supposed to be okay with women expressing their sexuality). Not to mention Miss Moxxi is an incredibly powerful character. She is portrayed as clever, independent, and almost wholly positive (in regards to the slight spectrum we’re operating it). So what is wrong with it?
What many people don’t understand about many of these “social justice warriors” is they’re not the real warriors in this battle whatsoever. They’re just starved for attention. They desperately crave it and the people who are most against them are the one’s giving it to them. They don’t care about women’s, minority, or LGBT rights. Sure, they may put on a good show as if they do, but the sheer amount of exposure they get and the way they present themselves could lead even the most partial observer to detect something is wrong.
Do you know who are the real champions in this fight? The pro bono lawyers who take cases in discrimination or harassment in many of these firms we’ve mentioned. The young girl who takes time out of her day to learn script in order to perhaps one day make a game she can identify with. The LGBT couple opening different charities and funds in order to empower a minority.
The most pitiful part about this struggle is that both the forces for evolution and stagnation have managed to buy in to the con-men. We are not talking about the relevant facts in this discourse, nor do we present ourselves with substance. The dialogue has shifted from the matter and moved its way on to the mirth, where the topic is now what we think of those who have monopolized the discussion for their own gain.
These are no different than your syndicated news networks, who spend less time reporting and more time reporting on what the other side is reporting (to mention Colin Quinn).
Whenever a balance is reached, or a hurdle overcome, whomever has anything to gain from chaos will make sure that doesn’t remain that way for very long.
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Jian, I think you’re misunderstanding me and taking it to a level you really don’t need to.
Especially considering how long you’ve known me, why even take that approach mate? Really?
What is angering you so. Please, sincerely, do express it.
sorry, I’m tired and on edge and making dumb assumptions
I edited @giuvito, I’m sorry :s
on another note have you seen all the #boycottstarwarsvii craze? It’s a bunch of crazy white supremacists whining about how SW7 hates white people
Mate, first. I’d like to ask why you’re taking this approach to me presenting you with a notion. Is it necessary? You’re usually one to opt on gentlemen’s discourse, and have gone so far as to laud me when I have been on your side of an argument in the past. Why would you suddenly act like this?
I know you’re far beyond such a guttural response, and frankly I can tell this topic must affect you deeply on some level I may not understand by how much I know you, so I fully understand if you came off curt earlier. But pressuring anyone of out discourse is poor form, and I know that 99% of the time you wouldn’t do that.
Which to clarify I am NOT in ANYWAY against inclusivity in gaming. It should be promoted and those who whine about it will get swept away.