I don't like racism. Sometimes I find it so illogical that I can't help but laugh. Most of the time it just make me want to projectile vomit on the nearest racist. However, I have to admit that racism in video games is a secret pleasure of mine. No, I don't enjoy being a racist. I don't go crazy in The Sims and set up segregated cities. No, what I'm talking about is when racism becomes part of the in game experience.
Fantasy games always have a variety of races with different cultures. If the game is well done the differences don't stop there. There's additional buffs for certain races and areas of the map clearly influenced by various cultures. That's great and it's to be expected. What isn't expected is the interactions between the races. It's something you don't consider important, until it happens.
I was playing through Skyrim as a Redguard and everything was okay. I was enjoying it and nothing seemed strange or out of the ordinary. Then I happened to stroll into Falkreath. I head over to the general store to unload all of the random things I've picked up. Then I hear it, Bolund tells me "I've got my eyes on you Redguard, don't steal anything." What? Did he just accuse me of stealing because I'm black? Then his brother Solaf, the shop keep can't help but tell me how he doesn't like Redguards but it's okay as long as my money is good. Needless to say I was shocked. I hadn't experienced any racism in Skyrim at that point. Then all of a sudden I'm being followed around some dingy store in a two bedroom house.
I got the Skyrim equivalent of "hurry up and buy," I got the "Only 1 person in the store at a time," the old "are you sure you can afford to shop here?" I walked out the store and walked back in, just to make sure I wasn't hearing things. I wasn't, they really do not like Redguards. In fact, the Stormcloaks don't like anyone who isn't a Nord. Their go to is "arise Nords," the equivalent of yelling "white power." They also love to tell you "Skyrim is for the Nords," the equivalent of "go back to Africa."
I decided to keep my ears open from that point on. What did I learn? Racism is everywhere in that game. The Khajit are no good thieves and are basically drug dealers for selling Skooma, for the record it effects them like any other alcohol. The Argonians are stupid and addicted to Skooma because it effects them more than others. The Redguard are human, but they're just strange savages from a far away land, also the guards are watching you, at all times, they'll tell you. Stormcloack Nords want to rule the land, imperial Nords do too but they can play nice with others. Altimer are Nazis, they want everyone else dead. There's racism all over this game and it's no secret.
I thought Skyrim was a rare game that did this, nope. Another one I played is Kingdoms of Amalur, and there is so much racism is there. There's no white vs black racism in Amalur. What I did learn is the Gnomes are genius but have a stereotype of being scheming and backstabbing bastards. The Light Elves have unparallelled magic ability but apparently they're arrogant and everyone of them needs to be punched in the mouth and knocked down a level. The Dark Elves are loyal to each other and the Light Elves, to everyone else they're nothing but savages who learned magic waiting to kill you.
Most interesting in this game are the Fae. The Fae are universally hated by all races in the game despite the fact they are basically Native Americans in the sense that they are immortal, they were there first, their numbers where diminished by other races and their "manifest destiny," like ways. There are three types of Fae; Summer Fae, Winter Fae and Tuatha.
The Fae, hate each other for stupid reasons despite all being the same biologically. The Summer Fae enjoy the arts and reenacting ancient battles while learning about the world. They're pretty care free as a whole. The Winter Fae hate them because the Winter Fae want balance in the world. They think nature needs more space because the other races are taking up too much of it.
They hate the Summer Fae for not pitching in. The Tuatha were Winter Fae but they feel The Fae should rule the land so they upped the war efforts and donned some heavy armor and stronger weapons. They then wiped out most of the other Winter Fae. The Fae don't hate other races, just each other. They're having the equivalent of a light skin vs dark skin war despite the fact they all have the same skin. Really it's Nerds vs Jocks vs The Middle. They have the equivalent of internalized racism and it creates for some interesting stories.
Racism sucks, it's not fun. It can be funny when the KKK is having a rally and some guy wets his pants because black people showed up. Racism is disgusting as a whole. However it can help to add some interesting back story to games. Maybe racism in games can help put an end to racism in the real world. Maybe some racist will be playing as Khajit and get called a thieving beast and say "Hmm, maybe racism isn't right." Call me crazy but I like my RPGs racist, especially fantasy games. It helps to immerse you into the game and adds some interesting background information and backdrops.
You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He also plays classic arcade games on The Cabinet
Follow @OriginalKingD
Fantasy games always have a variety of races with different cultures. If the game is well done the differences don't stop there. There's additional buffs for certain races and areas of the map clearly influenced by various cultures. That's great and it's to be expected. What isn't expected is the interactions between the races. It's something you don't consider important, until it happens.
I got the Skyrim equivalent of "hurry up and buy," I got the "Only 1 person in the store at a time," the old "are you sure you can afford to shop here?" I walked out the store and walked back in, just to make sure I wasn't hearing things. I wasn't, they really do not like Redguards. In fact, the Stormcloaks don't like anyone who isn't a Nord. Their go to is "arise Nords," the equivalent of yelling "white power." They also love to tell you "Skyrim is for the Nords," the equivalent of "go back to Africa."
I decided to keep my ears open from that point on. What did I learn? Racism is everywhere in that game. The Khajit are no good thieves and are basically drug dealers for selling Skooma, for the record it effects them like any other alcohol. The Argonians are stupid and addicted to Skooma because it effects them more than others. The Redguard are human, but they're just strange savages from a far away land, also the guards are watching you, at all times, they'll tell you. Stormcloack Nords want to rule the land, imperial Nords do too but they can play nice with others. Altimer are Nazis, they want everyone else dead. There's racism all over this game and it's no secret.
I thought Skyrim was a rare game that did this, nope. Another one I played is Kingdoms of Amalur, and there is so much racism is there. There's no white vs black racism in Amalur. What I did learn is the Gnomes are genius but have a stereotype of being scheming and backstabbing bastards. The Light Elves have unparallelled magic ability but apparently they're arrogant and everyone of them needs to be punched in the mouth and knocked down a level. The Dark Elves are loyal to each other and the Light Elves, to everyone else they're nothing but savages who learned magic waiting to kill you.
Most interesting in this game are the Fae. The Fae are universally hated by all races in the game despite the fact they are basically Native Americans in the sense that they are immortal, they were there first, their numbers where diminished by other races and their "manifest destiny," like ways. There are three types of Fae; Summer Fae, Winter Fae and Tuatha.
The Fae, hate each other for stupid reasons despite all being the same biologically. The Summer Fae enjoy the arts and reenacting ancient battles while learning about the world. They're pretty care free as a whole. The Winter Fae hate them because the Winter Fae want balance in the world. They think nature needs more space because the other races are taking up too much of it.They hate the Summer Fae for not pitching in. The Tuatha were Winter Fae but they feel The Fae should rule the land so they upped the war efforts and donned some heavy armor and stronger weapons. They then wiped out most of the other Winter Fae. The Fae don't hate other races, just each other. They're having the equivalent of a light skin vs dark skin war despite the fact they all have the same skin. Really it's Nerds vs Jocks vs The Middle. They have the equivalent of internalized racism and it creates for some interesting stories.
Racism sucks, it's not fun. It can be funny when the KKK is having a rally and some guy wets his pants because black people showed up. Racism is disgusting as a whole. However it can help to add some interesting back story to games. Maybe racism in games can help put an end to racism in the real world. Maybe some racist will be playing as Khajit and get called a thieving beast and say "Hmm, maybe racism isn't right." Call me crazy but I like my RPGs racist, especially fantasy games. It helps to immerse you into the game and adds some interesting background information and backdrops.
You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He also plays classic arcade games on The Cabinet
Follow @OriginalKingD
Interesting viewpoint.... Good article! - Broke Homie T
ReplyDeleteIt gets real when someone calls you a dirty Redguard
DeleteI'm no longer a gamer. Back when I was, online gaming wasn't what it is now and I only played sports games. In short, I had no idea that racism existed on that level in the games. Very interesting article. Glad that aspect of it hasn't ruined it for you.
ReplyDelete