Videogames: Time to Tackle the Taboo
As video games become a more intrinsic part of our culture, Kirk McKeand hopes that the industry will be allowed to explore more controversial subjects, but that creators need to learn from their mistakes.
Far Cry 4 – an unreleased game with few concrete details – recently faced vitriol because of perceived racism on the box art. It has since been revealed that the protagonist is an Indian man, which is, depressingly, quite progressive for video games.
For all we know, race could be at the core of the narrative – it could be a critical look at racism, something important even.The early criticism could create an environment that stifles growth by making publishers and developers risk averse. Think of some of the most powerful films you’ve seen, or books you’ve read and it’s likely they’ll cover the controversial.
