Introduction

Welcome to your website discussing racial representations in video games. On the right, you will find links to sources used for our presentation. Below you will find synopsis for and reactions to each of the readings as well as information on the authors. Throughout are comments sections which we encourage you to use for feedback and discussion.

Download a PDF version of our presentation slides

Digital Arabs: Representations in Video Games

This article by Vit Sisler analyzes the the symbols used in video games containing references to the middle east and their meanings. In addition to evaluating the games, the context in which the games were created was also investigated.

The exploration of games created by American and European companies revealed the use very narrow stereotypes. Usually the games fall into one of two categories: games that classify arabs as fantastical and exotic or as terrorists. Some possible exceptions to this are certain "serious games" and potentially Civilization III. Some people however argue that Civilization III does not portray Arabs correctly despite it's attempt at cultural sensitivity. Some Arab companies have come together to create video games to battle stereotypes. Of the two examples in the article, one used the same paradigm as American and European games but switched the roles so that non-Arabs are demonized. However, the Arab games heavily penalized killing civilians which is atypical of European or American games.

Vit Sisler is a Ph.D. candidate at Charles University of Prague. His research involves new media and its interactions with Islam.

A No Win Situation

Vanessa E. Jones of the Boston Globe covers some of the criticisms recently leveled at the video game industry on the front of racial representation. One key issue is the lack of diversity, represented by only Caucasian possibilities for characters in Carnival Games. Another is violence against minorities seen in Resident Evil 5. A voice of defense is also represented in the form of Chris Mottes, CEO of Deadline Games.

Though certainly racial representations in video games are important, either due to a slanted point of view or (more likely) limited space, Jones, unfortunately, does not tell the entire story. To help out with that, we've provided links further discussing each of these specific games as well as the full Mottes reaction on the right.

Jones (above) is a writer for the Boston Globe, and her complete authoring history for the paper can be seen here.

A No Win Situation

Terms and Definitions

Neglected Media: Forms of media that lack the prestige and respect of forms that that garner more criticism and scrutiny.

The Other: A person, community or group of people seen as alien and regarded as being less then human and not capable of fully participating in society.

Digital Dignity: A way of giving pride, self-esteem and aptitude in their culture when playing the game.

Serious games: Games that entertain and have a clear rhetorical intent.

Jihad: Religious duty of Muslims. Translates to struggle in english and is taken to mean the struggle to improve self or Muslim society. It's connotation in both western and islamic cultures is often interpreted as holy war and is used to justify violence towards those that oppose Islam.

Caliph: Leader of an islamic community called the caliphate