Do you care if Black game developers are working on games starring Black characters?
- Thread starter Responsible Allen Iverson
- Start date
Yes and no.
Yes because I'd like some black characters in games.
No because I understand they actually want to make money.
A black character in a game has to be set in a grounded title or have some very clever design.
I question how many legit black nerds there are to support titles that don't meet a specific archetype.
Yes because I'd like some black characters in games.
No because I understand they actually want to make money.
A black character in a game has to be set in a grounded title or have some very clever design.
I question how many legit black nerds there are to support titles that don't meet a specific archetype.
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iceberg_is_on_fire
Honolulu Blue Ski Mask Way
Easy answer is to say yes for representation purposes for us.
My trepidation is those that do the ministel show shyt or Tyler Perry like depiction of us.
Ultimately, I trust us to tell the story of us more accurately and faithfully than others though.
My trepidation is those that do the ministel show shyt or Tyler Perry like depiction of us.
Ultimately, I trust us to tell the story of us more accurately and faithfully than others though.
As a Puerto Rican, I’m excited when I see any minority as a main character.
TryObsidian?
Pro
Yes and no, it depends.
Both black people and white people create ignorant portrayals of black people for whatever reason. Unfortunately black people don't have the luxury of automatic great or even average character creation. Even when black people create black characters they make them garbage on purpose and then use the black card to justify it.
We have to oversee how we are being represented, which technically we already do, but only for black women.
Also black people have a self respect problem and sell out frequently. Racist people in positions of power would just find a black person to green light the most toxic shyt and say "It's not racist we had a black person review it"
Both black people and white people create ignorant portrayals of black people for whatever reason. Unfortunately black people don't have the luxury of automatic great or even average character creation. Even when black people create black characters they make them garbage on purpose and then use the black card to justify it.
We have to oversee how we are being represented, which technically we already do, but only for black women.
Also black people have a self respect problem and sell out frequently. Racist people in positions of power would just find a black person to green light the most toxic shyt and say "It's not racist we had a black person review it"
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feelosofer
#ninergang
In an ideal world yes, in the real world Black faces in the game industry are relatively few and I understand that most of them they have to take the work where they can get it.
It’s more important that there are checks and balances to ensure the character is of a certain pedigree, and that a baseline standard is established to measure against.
For example, it doesn’t matter who writes Batman (movie, comic, or game) bc DC and WB execs will be up that ass if Bruce Wayne isn’t aligned with his baseline characteristics and mannerisms.
I.e. a dc hater can’t sneak in and make dude homophobic, sexist, racist, or side with any political party. It wouldn’t make it past the first script review.
But are there any checks and balances stopping a Jason Whitlock/Uncle Ruckus type c00n from imposing c00ntastic elements to an original black character? Or the more subtle things like making the character asexual (no love interest) or a magical negro type (just there to save the white friend)?
It took the Netflix show (Arcane) to actually give Ekko Afrocentric hair after having that white folk mohawk in the game for years. In other words, somebody during Arcane production said “we better give this black character black hair”.
For example, it doesn’t matter who writes Batman (movie, comic, or game) bc DC and WB execs will be up that ass if Bruce Wayne isn’t aligned with his baseline characteristics and mannerisms.
I.e. a dc hater can’t sneak in and make dude homophobic, sexist, racist, or side with any political party. It wouldn’t make it past the first script review.
But are there any checks and balances stopping a Jason Whitlock/Uncle Ruckus type c00n from imposing c00ntastic elements to an original black character? Or the more subtle things like making the character asexual (no love interest) or a magical negro type (just there to save the white friend)?
It took the Netflix show (Arcane) to actually give Ekko Afrocentric hair after having that white folk mohawk in the game for years. In other words, somebody during Arcane production said “we better give this black character black hair”.
Its important and I care.
However, not all skinfolk are kinfolk, so the type of black folks working on that game does matter too. Just need someone in there who can help create an authentic, genuine black character.
However, not all skinfolk are kinfolk, so the type of black folks working on that game does matter too. Just need someone in there who can help create an authentic, genuine black character.
Only on the platform I stan.
Yes.
At the soft shoe c00ning ITT.
At the soft shoe c00ning ITT.
Batsute
The Lion Choker
This, when a black character can’t step out of the boundaries of trope it really does nothing but enforce stereotypes. For example that old Rufus concept art for SFIV was just lazy and a one off character, but people praised him to no end. Why? He was black had a gold chain, fur lined gi, and sneakers, nothing but parody.
I care in the sense that I like black people getting jobs in the industry
But I don’t think black writers are required to have black characters in a game.
It’s just when white people try to put their view of “black culture” in a game without consulting real black folks that there’s a problem.
But I don’t think black writers are required to have black characters in a game.
It’s just when white people try to put their view of “black culture” in a game without consulting real black folks that there’s a problem.
Secure Da Bag
Veteran
Yes I do. I bought some African games on Steam a few years back simply because of that. And the games was good.
JuvenileHell
Veteran
Absolutely
If they are trying to act like their game is contributing to representation then yes, needs to be black folks involved at all levels,
For example this game the main characters were both voiced by white women and you could really feel it in their personalities in the banter.
The game is set in india, and the indian doesn't really care all that much about her culture, she acts like a tourist in her own country.
The black women is aussie and trying to act like a badass tough take no shyt stereotype of black women, but ends up coming off brat and entitled.
Putting some black folks in the writers room, on the casting crew, etc would've helped this out so much.
For example this game the main characters were both voiced by white women and you could really feel it in their personalities in the banter.
The game is set in india, and the indian doesn't really care all that much about her culture, she acts like a tourist in her own country.
The black women is aussie and trying to act like a badass tough take no shyt stereotype of black women, but ends up coming off brat and entitled.
Putting some black folks in the writers room, on the casting crew, etc would've helped this out so much.