Manveer Heir: Video Games need less White Protagonists

[Gikoku]

Manveer Heir: Video Games need less White Protagonists

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Raven Software's Manveer Heir takes umbrage with that fact (and, more importantly, the fact that being caucasian is a rather pervasive theme across game characters), telling Develop in a recent interview that "There are a large number of hispanic and black children playing games, percentage-wise more so than white children, but these guys aren't getting into the industry because they are not seeing themselves in the games."

Moreover, Heir says it's not just a question of equality, but rather a question of missed market opportunity. "It's not about being fair. It's about bringing something new to the art." The Wolverine/Singularity dev also makes a point of sending out a rally call to the rest of the industry, saying, "I'm sure many people in the game industry are starting work on new IP. If we can ask people to think about it, then they are more apt to say 'hey let's try this.' You just need one game to succeed. The first developer or publisher to do this will enjoy a lot of success."

Say uhh, isn't Master Chief black?

 

[Tsuyu]

Re: Manveer Heir: Video Games need less White Protagonists

Isn't Master Chief green...?

Heh. Anyway, why not just include a "Make your character" or to a lesser content "Customize our stock character"-feature(s) in games. That way everyone's happy.

In the end, having a black protagonists tends to always gravitate to that awful rap/hip-hop, pant-around-the-ankles gangsta-stereotype and that will just alienate more potential customers than it will bring; I for one couldn't stand playing any game with that protagonist. Ugh. That's not to say I'm racist against black people, I just find that sub-culture retarded. That's also not to say you can do a black protagonist without falling into the stereotype trap.

It is just very, very rare.

 

[Gikoku]

Re: Manveer Heir: Video Games need less White Protagonists

Isn't Master Chief green...?

Heh. Anyway, why not just include a "Make your character" or to a lesser content "Customize our stock character"-feature(s) in games. That way everyone's happy.

In the end, having a black protagonists tends to always gravitate to that awful rap/hip-hop, pant-around-the-ankles gangsta-stereotype and that will just alienate more potential customers than it will bring; I for one couldn't stand playing any game with that protagonist. Ugh. That's not to say I'm racist against black people, I just find that sub-culture retarded. That's also not to say you can do a black protagonist without falling into the stereotype trap.

It is just very, very rare.

Could've sworn there was a video showing Chief was black underneath that Helmet. Also, It would seem Manveer has never heard of Crackdown before.

You're damned if you do, damned if you don't. It's difficult to put a black guy in the game without someone complaining or taking offense to it (no matter what personality you give them). If you put him in there as a regular person who doesn't fit the stereotype of a black male (gangsta, jive-talkin' foo'), you get criticized for him not being "black enough" and basicially being a white guy with brown skin. If you put him in as the stereotype, you get criticized for being a racist who stereotypes black people.

It's sad people care so much about the color of the protagonists' and the antagonists' skin, instead of just enjoying the game or worrying if it's fun or not. Increasing the number of Blacks and Hispanics in games certainly would not remedy this issue, the problem will still continue.

 

[Tsuyu]

Re: Manveer Heir: Video Games need less White Protagonists

Much of what bothers me about playing a black protagonist is exactly that; the baggage that comes with it. Take GTA III for example, and compare it to GTA IV.

GTA III: Black stereotype protagonist equals stereotypically black game setting. Then you get GTA IV which has Nico Belic who is white; you get to encounter a whole range of stereotypes and stereotypical settings.

The problem is, as you say, that a black character is supposed to "act black", or he "isn't black" at all. A white character doesn't have a certain way he must act to "be white"; he can be a goth, a jock, a stale business suit ect ect... and still "be white". But a black character wouldn't "be black" unless he talks a certain way, wears certain clothes and listen to certain music.

Time for a fun fact: The Marine protagonist in in Aliens vs. Predator is black. :thumbsup:

 

[Daemon300]

Re: Manveer Heir: Video Games need less White Protagonists

^Is he?

I thought that he was white, with mud all over his face ;d

 

[Gikoku]

Re: Manveer Heir: Video Games need less White Protagonists

Time for a fun fact: The Marine protagonist in in Aliens vs. Predator is black. :thumbsup:

:ninja: here's another one...

^Is he?

I thought that he was white, with mud all over his face ;d

That's Predator, not AvP.

 

[Tsuyu]

Re: Manveer Heir: Video Games need less White Protagonists

^Is he?

I thought that he was white, with mud all over his face ;d

Naw, he's black alright. You can see it in the ending cinematic and by his model in multiplayer.

 

[Daemon300]

Re: Manveer Heir: Video Games need less White Protagonists

Ah ok.

That's Predator, not AvP.

Woot.

 

[Tyloric]

Re: Manveer Heir: Video Games need less White Protagonists

Say uhh, isn't Master Chief black?

No, he's white.

Source: The Books.

 

[cheezMcNASTY]

Re: Manveer Heir: Video Games need less White Protagonists

Could've sworn there was a video showing Chief was black underneath that Helmet.

not to mention denzel washington was cast to play master chief in the halo movie which i am not sure if it is still being made....

stopping post before it goes off topic