Misogyny, racism and homophobia: where do video games stand?

March 21st, 2014, 18:11 Posted By: wraggster

BioWare Montreal's gameplay designer Manveer Heir received a standing ovation for his rousing "Misogyny, Racism and Homophobia: Where Do Video Games Stand?" talk at GDC yesterday.He challenged the industry to demolish the many stereotypes that exist in video games and accept "a social responsibility to mankind"."These negative stereotypes affect the identity of individuals in these groups. They affect the way people think and treat others in the real world, and perpetuate the social injustices that occur in these different groups," he said, according to Polygon."We should use the ability of our medium to show players the issues first-hand, or give them a unique understanding of the issues and complexities by crafting game mechanics along with narrative components that result in dynamics of play that create meaning for the player in ways that other media isn't capable of."FemShep, interpreted here by Deviantartist Kaeriah, became a symbolic champion of female lead characters in video games.

He says it's "very cynical" to assume the audience isn't capable of embracing a gay hero or heroine, or "more exclusive women protagonists in games that aren't glorified sex objects and actually have personalities beyond supporting the men in the game",GamesIndustry International's report added.Realism arguments - ie that women weren't soldiers in medieval times, for example - are "laughable" excuses, he said. Dragons didn't exist either.'But the audience doesn't respond as well to heroes who aren't white males!' - ie those games sell fewer copies. Hogwash, he argued. Those untypical games simply don't have the investment the typical blockbusters do.

"Let's do all of this because what we are currently doing is absolutely not working"
Manveer Heir

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