Why are all Main/Playable characters White?

if the devs are white then they most likely want to make there characters like them. games from japan have main characters who are Japanese however (this includes anime too) because they eyes are usually large they look like there white

if the devs are white then they most likely want to make there characters like them. games from japan have main characters who are Japanese however (this includes anime too) because they eyes are usually large they look like there white

PrinceofSarcasm

[QUOTE="PrinceofSarcasm"]

if the devs are white then they most likely want to make there characters like them. games from japan have main characters who are Japanese however (this includes anime too) because they eyes are usually large they look like there white

verbalfilth

[QUOTE="TREAL_Since"]

This is a serious discussion. My brother Episode_Eve wrote and article on our blog regarding this topic.

Our original article at Prime +:
Black Protagonists in Gaming: A Black History Month Special

Edge-Online then recognized our article and decided to run it as a front story on their site:
Why are Black Game Characters Failing the Audience?

Check it out 8). Intelligent and informative.

Episode_Eve

It's a good read, sadly it will go unnoticed within this thread. Like it says, CJ (GTA:SA)is a good character but probably not the best first step into making diverse main characters popular.

More characters like Alyx (Half Life 2), would be needed because it doesn't really matter what her heritage is because it doesn't define her as a character like Cole Train(Gears), or Barret (ff7)

unless developers focus on making the eyes smaller (but there always large) there is now way to distinguish a Japanese from a white if both races are present in a title. Well the white guy might be blonde more square and possibly evil.

I don't think it should matter, nor do I think many people would've noticed if you had not brought it up, nor did I even take heed to the fact I played a black protagonist in GTA: SA, or Crackdown, I didn't notice Altair from Assassins Creed was Arabic, just like I didn't really take notice to the fact that Marcus Fenix in GEOW is white. It just doesn't matter really what color the skin of the main protagonist in the game is, just as long as there is no racism in my games.Im_single

[QUOTE="Episode_Eve"]

[QUOTE="TREAL_Since"]

This is a serious discussion. My brother Episode_Eve wrote and article on our blog regarding this topic.

Our original article at Prime +:
Black Protagonists in Gaming: A Black History Month Special

Edge-Online then recognized our article and decided to run it as a front story on their site:
Why are Black Game Characters Failing the Audience?

Check it out 8). Intelligent and informative.

treyskillz

It's a good read, sadly it will go unnoticed within this thread. Like it says, CJ (GTA:SA)is a good character but probably not the best first step into making diverse main characters popular.

More characters like Alyx (Half Life 2), would be needed because it doesn't really matter what her heritage is because it doesn't define her as a character like Cole Train(Gears), or Barret (ff7)

[QUOTE="Im_single"]I don't think it should matter, nor do I think many people would've noticed if you had not brought it up, nor did I even take heed to the fact I played a black protagonist in GTA: SA, or Crackdown, I didn't notice Altair from Assassins Creed was Arabic, just like I didn't really take notice to the fact that Marcus Fenix in GEOW is white. It just doesn't matter really what color the skin of the main protagonist in the game is, just as long as there is no racism in my games.Episode_Eve

unless developers focus on making the eyes smaller (but there always large) there is now way to distinguish a Japanese from a white if both races are present in a title. Well the white guy might be blonde more square and possibly evil.

PrinceofSarcasm

[QUOTE="Episode_Eve"][QUOTE="Im_single"]I don't think it should matter, nor do I think many people would've noticed if you had not brought it up, nor did I even take heed to the fact I played a black protagonist in GTA: SA, or Crackdown, I didn't notice Altair from Assassins Creed was Arabic, just like I didn't really take notice to the fact that Marcus Fenix in GEOW is white. It just doesn't matter really what color the skin of the main protagonist in the game is, just as long as there is no racism in my games.Im_single

I really don't think i've seen a non white main/playable character. Most of the main/playable characters are white people, like gears 1&2, killzone2, uncharted 1&2, dark sector, assassins creed, etc. Even with comic book super hero's they are all white too, whats the deal?

redskins2156

This is such a touchy issue especially for a white american, like myself. If you look at history, almost every race has been enslaved at one time or another. What's wrong with black artists making their chosen art with black people in mind? NOTHING! But if equality is what we strive for, then that has to go for all other artists and there respective races. I don't say there are no black people in game production, but I do watch the extras in the DVD's when provided, and I haven't seen many. So why if these designers are white or asian should they have to make more black protaganists? cainetao11

There are definitely many black developers out there, but we don't know how many exactly. In the western world of development white males run the show pretty much. In the Japanese sector designers more than not create Caucasian characters for their games. They seem very comfortable doing so. Even going as far as depicting their own race with Caucasian characteristics. That's a motive I'm eager to understand.

Whites are a minority. That's why. ....:roll:

I really don't think i've seen a non white main/playable character. Most of the main/playable characters are white people, like gears 1&2, killzone2, uncharted 1&2, dark sector, assassins creed, etc. Even with comic book super hero's they are all white too, whats the deal?

redskins2156

[QUOTE="cainetao11"]This is such a touchy issue especially for a white american, like myself. If you look at history, almost every race has been enslaved at one time or another. What's wrong with black artists making their chosen art with black people in mind? NOTHING! But if equality is what we strive for, then that has to go for all other artists and there respective races. I don't say there are no black people in game production, but I do watch the extras in the DVD's when provided, and I haven't seen many. So why if these designers are white or asian should they have to make more black protaganists? Episode_Eve

There are definitely many black developers out there, but we don't know how many exactly. In the western world of development white males run the show pretty much. In the Japanese sector designers more than not create Caucasian characters for their games. They seem very comfortable doing so. Even going as far as depicting their own race with Caucasian characteristics. That's a motive I'm eager to understand.

It may bebecause there would becomplaints about stereotyping black people if they werethe main character inviolent video games, but I think I have to agree with the possibility that maybe more white people play video games - therefore to give immersion, you play with a character you can believe is you.

Devs should take note though and make all games with the option to choose the main characters race. Most main characters don't talk, like Gordon Freeman, so if they never depicted what he or she looks like on the cover etc, then the character could be any race and to the player, he or she would look like you.

Whites are a minority. That's why. ....:roll:

LOXO7

Every little step counts I suppose. Sure he has a big afro but at least he's not a complete caricature like Barret. I agree with you through TC. Outside of games like Jak and Ratchet (which use cartoon/fantasy characters) all the protagonist in my games except for San Andreas are white. :P

Whites are a minority. That's why. ....:roll:

[QUOTE="redskins2156"]

I really don't think i've seen a non white main/playable character. Most of the main/playable characters are white people, like gears 1&2, killzone2, uncharted 1&2, dark sector, assassins creed, etc. Even with comic book super hero's they are all white too, whats the deal?

cainetao11

I don't see any. I was looking at IGN's top 100 game creators and it was like a straight up 55/45 Caucasion/Asian split. :P

I've made up my mind, I am going to become the Barack Obama of Video Games.

Cole train, the one dude in left 4 dead *forgot his name* and srgt johnson ring a bell all are main charecters in there respective game. though i agree with you that black charecters are few and far betweendarkspineslayer

Not just black, non-asian minorities in general.

It may bebecause there would becomplaints about stereotyping black people if they werethe main character inviolent video games, but I think I have to agree with the possibility that maybe more white people play video games - therefore to give immersion, you play with a character you can believe is you.

Devs should take note though and make all games with the option to choose the main characters race. Most main characters don't talk, like Gordon Freeman, so if they never depicted what he or she looks like on the cover etc, then the character could be any race and to the player, he or she would look like you.

SgtWhiskeyjack

[QUOTE="cainetao11"][QUOTE="redskins2156"]

I really don't think i've seen a non white main/playable character. Most of the main/playable characters are white people, like gears 1&2, killzone2, uncharted 1&2, dark sector, assassins creed, etc. Even with comic book super hero's they are all white too, whats the deal?

I don't see any. I was looking at IGN's top 100 game creators and it was like a straight up 55/45 Caucasion/Asian split. :P

I've made up my mind, I am going to become the Barack Obama of Video Games.

[QUOTE="darkspineslayer"]Cole train, the one dude in left 4 dead *forgot his name* and srgt johnson ring a bell all are main charecters in there respective game. though i agree with you that black charecters are few and far betweenLionheart08

Not just black, non-asian minorities in general.

Because if white people make it and white people are going to be the majority of buyers then it only makes sense.

Because if white people make it and white people are going to be the majority of buyers than it only makes sense.Zero5000X

A diversely growing and maturing audience deserves mature/creative content.

I voted for Obama and I'll buy your games.....if there fun.cainetao11

I always wanted to make a game like Matt Hazard...only with actual good gameplay. :lol:

[QUOTE="Zero5000X"]Because if white people make it and white people are going to be the majority of buyers than it only makes sense.Episode_Eve

A diversely growing and maturing audience deserves mature/creative content.

[QUOTE="Episode_Eve"]

[QUOTE="Zero5000X"]Because if white people make it and white people are going to be the majority of buyers than it only makes sense.Zero5000X

A diversely growing and maturing audience deserves mature/creative content.

Well, you know, the reason is obvious ...: RACISM.

Well, you know, the reason is obvious ...: RACISM.

Deiuos

This thread still going?:P
I'm also gonna read that article later on this day when I get back from school.

[QUOTE="Deiuos"]

Well, you know, the reason is obvious ...: RACISM.

Episode_Eve

There is a black Green Lanturn.

Besides White is Right. lol i'm getting banned or suspended.