Best known as an actress, comedian and podcaster, Tyler is also a big name in video game circles. An avid gamer herself, she has hosted game developer Ubisoft's press conference at the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles — one of the biggest gaming trade shows in the industry — for the past three years.
NPR's Laura Sydell caught up with Tyler at this year's E3 to talk about the continued lack of diversity in the video game landscape, both onscreen and on the development side.
Despite the criticism, Tyler — a black woman — tells Sydell the industry has made great progress over the years. She cites Lara Croft, the lead character of the Tomb Raider franchise, as an example of a strong female lead who has been around for nearly 20 years.
From Playboy.com: In this exclusive interview, Aisha Tyler talks about her love of video games, the new season of "Archer," and how she's chatted up rock stars.
Gamertag Radio writes: "Interview with Aisha Tyler about gaming, E3 2015, Podcast Movement, Podcasting and Archer."
When non-gamers complain that there's nothing for them in today's world of video games, we should consider listening. This opinion piece takes a look at some common complaints against gaming culture and suggests ways to improve the industry and the public perception of video games.
Does it really matter what character we play as, I mean if they are black or native American or even female then so be it but if they not it doesn't matter long as the game is good.
Take Prey and Prey 2 for example, I would be a little ticked off if the sequel sticks to the old build with that generic looking bounty hunter instead of letting us play as Tommy, the native American from the first game then I would be disappointed because we had a diverse character in the first game and yet we are now getting a generic looking space marine for the sequel. There's no point behind it when the first game with Tommy had "To be Continued", to continue HIS story.
Then you have to think it depends on what the characters are like
If we look at GTAV I like to play more as Trevor, a while male rather then Franklin who is a black male. Is it because I'm "racist"...no, it's because for me Franklin is boring as shit and Trevor is a more developed character as he fits into GTA universe better with his insane, whacky personality. If the character is a different race or gender but is not fun then of course they aren't going to be well received.
Aisha Tyler did a great job at Ubisoft's E3 press conference. I know she gets a lot of flack, but I do really like her and she's great for gaming
Why the hell is the person even relevant?! Oh yeah, she's a "strong" african american woman who plays video games. Gtfoh. If a developer has a vision for a game, and that vision is to make the main character a male, or female white, black, or yellow.. just PLAY the game. Not bashing on Feminists, but this is the video game industry, not a voting booth. They should be playing games instead of nagging about character genders/races. There are RPG's and MMO's for a reason.
IM suprised that gaming gets so much stick about this...you don't see women protesting that they cant join male sports teams yet they moan about this?
Aisha Tyler needs to shut up. I mean in general, not specifically about this. She's loud for no reason, she's not funny, and she isn't an authority on gaming. She's an actress and claims to be a comedian, nothing more.
That said, although I find her to be insufferably annoying, at least she didn't take the typical stance that most people are taking that diversity is practically non-existent and is some mega problem that affects the very core of gaming.
I also find it laughable that the article had to emphasize that she is a black woman. Yeah, duh.