Resident Evil 5 Interview Confirms Africa Setting, Explains Why

...we really wanted to show the origins of the virus. So for the setting we thought, how about using the place where humankind was born?...we thought we would use Africa, which is now called the birthplace of humanity, as the model.

GTA - Where Are All The White Gangs?

Having played pretty much the entire series (being, sadly, the resolute gamer I am) and basically noting how much they've pulled from such sources as The Godfather, Scarface and New Jack City, I can not remember a single positive image for Blacks, Mexicans, Cubans, Jamaicans, Colombians, Haitians, Italians, Puerto Ricans, Chinese, Japanese, one Jewish lawyer (!) and soon in the upcoming game, Russians and Serbians; not to mention the constant lampooning of liberals and homosexuals. Mind you, of course, there are never any white gangs.

Racism and Mysterious Americans

Over at game site Insert Credit, Brandon Sheffield has an interesting post that deals with Japan's "charming" racism. Of course, Sheffield is being ironic and drawing attention to some of the stereotypes that populate the Japanese zeitgeist. From his post:

Take a look at [Wii game] Miburi & Teburi, and the first thing you'll notice is a giant white man covered in fake hair. That is what they call a 'Nazo no American,' or a hint-giving American... Scroll down and watch the videos. The top video is the in-game stuff, and it doesn't seem so bad. They have depictions of 'hyper-Japanese' people in there too, it seems. But the lower video is problematic. It "stars" the voices of two "Americans" who say things like "I love Japan, I love Japanese people" in uniquely horribly faked American accents. It's the equivalent of someone saying "I rike fly lice" to describe how a Japanese person might talk. Of course Japan isn't the only culprit... But I think in Japan there's a lack of awareness that this is insulting in the first place, which increases the problem. I honestly think I'd have less of a problem with it if they were truly playing with American conventions and American Japanese fetishism — but they're just unconsciously making fun of a group of people. And I'm not sure anyone will tell Sega this isn't appropriate. It's a fine line, but I think this crosses it.

Dr. Phil Fights Xbox Live Racism With Phone Support

"I called Xbox Live. I gave them all the information they needed to know, and they told me before they can do anything, take any kind of action, there has to be 10 complaints filed against [the other player]," he continues, incensed. "That's like you coming to my house, robbing me, and I call the police. Are they going to tell me, 'Well, if that guy comes back to your house 10 times, we'll come out and do something about it'? I think that's disgusting. I think Mr. [Bill] Gates needs to change that rule, and I think it needs to be changed immediately."

This is problematic on so many levels, including the depiction of Black people as inhuman savages, the killing of Black people by a white man in military clothing, and the fact that this video game is marketed to children and young adults. Start them young... fearing, hating, and destroying Black people.

Racist Paintjobs Slip Through Forza 2 Moderation

"BBC/Kotaku PS3 Launch Coverage Is Racist"

Castle Crashers... HORRIFICALLY RACIST!

Space Invaders Against Racism

Mario: Back to the Start

College Student Plays Four Ancient Games, Diagnoses Racism

Sony Crumbles, Puking and Mewling, and Pulls Black vs. White Ad

Destroy All Hungarians

Offensive Nintendo Parody Ad, This Time Shapist

Counterpoint: Sony Ad Not Racist

Toastyfrog Rebuts Racism, Calls Out Internet For Dickery

Counterpoint: LocoRoco Not Racist

LocoRoco Racist?