8.2 Race and Ethnicity in Game Worlds and Character Design

Video games often struggle with racial representation, perpetuating stereotypes and harmful tropes. From Asian martial artists to African tribals, these depictions can reinforce prejudices and alienate players. Developers face challenges in creating authentic, respectful portrayals.

Improving racial representation in games is crucial for player engagement and social impact. Diverse development teams, cultural consultants, and community input can lead to more inclusive, accurate portrayals. This fosters cross-cultural understanding and creates richer gaming experiences for all.

Racial Representation in Video Games

Racial stereotypes in game design

Top images from around the web for Racial stereotypes in game design

• 

  Category:Baraka (Mortal Kombat) - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | How the Visual Design of Video Game Antagonists Affects Perception of Morality View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Racial stereotypes in Korean newspaper - Joi Ito's Web View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Category:Baraka (Mortal Kombat) - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | How the Visual Design of Video Game Antagonists Affects Perception of Morality View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Racial stereotypes in game design

• 

  Category:Baraka (Mortal Kombat) - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | How the Visual Design of Video Game Antagonists Affects Perception of Morality View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Racial stereotypes in Korean newspaper - Joi Ito's Web View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Category:Baraka (Mortal Kombat) - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Frontiers | How the Visual Design of Video Game Antagonists Affects Perception of Morality View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Common racial stereotypes perpetuate harmful assumptions Asian characters often depicted as martial artists or ninjas (Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat)
• African characters portrayed as tribal or primitive reinforces colonial narratives (Far Cry series)
• Middle Eastern characters frequently cast as terrorists promotes Islamophobia (Call of Duty series)
• Harmful tropes in character design exaggerate physical features, reinforce stereotypes
• Accent stereotyping reduces characters to caricatures (Apu in The Simpsons: Hit & Run)
• Cultural appropriation in costume design trivializes sacred or significant cultural elements

Ethnic diversity in game worlds

• Cultural representation in game settings requires accuracy in historical and cultural elements
• Traditional art and architecture incorporated to create authentic environments (Assassin's Creed series)
• Social structures and customs depicted to reflect real-world diversity
• Language and dialogue use native languages and accents for immersion
• Accuracy of translations and subtitles crucial for respectful representation
• Non-player characters (NPCs) should reflect diversity in background roles
• Roles assigned to characters of different ethnicities avoid stereotypical occupations
• Cultural elements in gameplay mechanics integrate traditional games or sports
• Cultural-specific abilities or skills enhance gameplay while respecting traditions

Impact of racial representation

• Player identification and engagement increases immersion for represented groups
• Potential alienation for underrepresented groups can occur with poor representation
• Educational impact exposes players to diverse cultures and perspectives
• Reinforcement or challenging of preconceived notions through game narratives
• Psychological effects influence self-esteem and self-image of players
• Stereotype threat in multiplayer environments can affect performance and enjoyment
• Community building forms player groups based on shared cultural identities
• Cross-cultural understanding and empathy fostered through diverse game worlds

Developer role in game inclusivity

• Diverse development teams crucial for authentic representation
• Representation in creative and leadership roles shapes game content
• Collaboration with cultural consultants ensures accuracy and respect
• Thorough cultural research conducted to avoid misrepresentation
• Engaging with communities being represented provides valuable insights
• Character creation tools offer wide range of customization options
• Avoiding racial coding in preset options promotes inclusivity
• Narrative choices create complex, multi-dimensional characters of various ethnicities
• Avoiding tokenism and stereotypical story arcs enriches storytelling
• Inclusive promotional materials reflect game's diversity
• Addressing and learning from player feedback improves future representation