So I open my monthly subscription to Gamepro only to be incredibly disappointed by the article penned by Ms Alexander focused on the lack of diversity in video games. Apparently the video game culture lacks ethnic diversity and has become inherently raciest by not depicting the required number of multi cultured protagonists in video games to meet Ms Alexander needs. From reading the article on numerous accounts I have ascertained it is time to develop a quota system upon which the characters involved in video games reflects that of the ethnic population at large. Therefore if 30% of the population is black then three of every ten characters in video games had better be black as well, same with Asians, Hispanics and all other cultures to meet the required demands. This brand of thought stems from the social justice teachings so prevalent within public schools and completely blanketed throughout the media and current popular culture. However I had idealistically prayed that it could not penetrate my singular haven, my one escape from reality and its continuous disappointments, that being gaming. Unfortunately after reading this article my optimism has been vanquished. According to the article we are, whether consciously or subconsciously a racist species and our video games reflect that and only increased multiculturalism within the medium can correct it.
Although I can respect her right to hold a opinion I must state that I completely disagree with it. Historically the video games medium has had little to no restrictions or scrutiny placed upon it (other than those of publishers placed on developers but that is another post) leading to near limitless creativity and innovation, which in turn creates amazing experiences such as Heavy Rain which Ms. Alexander references in her article as not meeting sufficient diversity standards. Problems and the law of unintended consequences begin to arise when the main focus of development is shifted from creativity to diversity and ensuring a game is fun and enjoyable is replaced by ensuring a game is diverse and multi-cultural; inevitably the game and the industry will lose something significant something which makes it unique.
My final counter point is in response to her statement that by not producing the satisfactory level of diversity in games the medium is leaving a large segment of the population untapped, resulting in negative economic and cultural implications. Unfortunately for that statement as long as free markets continue to exist and the gaming industry remains a participant within them games will be created and marketed where the audience and the sales are. So if and when audiences and markets form which demand and provide monetary reward for an increased presence of diversity within games, then believe me video games will reflect and capitalize on the markets and rewards. However "sufficient" diversity should not be obligatory and never forced for the consequences far out weigh the perceived benefits.
I'm as free-market as anyone on allowing game makers to make whatever they want. But I've also seen the games that weren't completely odes to white-male power fantasies or very decidedly Japanese to know the market as little to do with it. I've also attended enough game developer conferences to know what would have a lot more to do with it, the actual developers. Like with no most issues, if that make-up starts changing, the output shall as well. The simplest solution to what Alexander advocates involves getting the talented people interested in making the games she wants to see in position to actually make them.
Where those people are and cultivating them is another topic altogether.
Truthfully, I actually have no beef with people setting out to make the games they want to make. Totally their right and the result of good games is my primary concern. The absolute last thing I want to see is a publisher push upon their D-team developer some "diversity game initiative" they want no part of just to have a slew of 50 Cent:Bulletproofs every year for the sake of the perception they are trying.
No one's advocating quotas. That jump is typical of social conservatives with an underlying fear than any effort to serve the "other" will deprive them of what's already readily available to them. Personally, I'd respect someone telling me that it's not something they care to do a lot more than the excuses that usually typically come up. I don't write Hello Kitty or NASCAR because frankly I could care less about either. That said, there are plenty of other people willing to tackle those subjects.
Geoff -- Do you feel that gaming couldn't benefit from more diversity, especially in development, marketing, and in executive positions? Imagine the ideas that could flow when you bring in more perspectives. Aren't you tired of so many games that feel similar -- the bald space marine, the gruff soldier? And diversity isn't just about race and gender -- it's also about backgrounds. Take Portal -- a student project turned into one of the best games of 2007. I doubt that idea would've been fostered in traditional development.