Tuesday 19 January, 2010

So I am definitely more used to the game now. I have not gotten far at all but I am realizing what I have to do more. Since I am not so caught up in figuring out how to play and what to do, I was able to focus more on the setting of the game. The main character (the character I played) was a male African American. Most people I stole cars from were Hispanic or African American. They all were dressed in typical “ghetto” clothes. The scenes in this game enforced almost every single common stereotype of Hispanic and African American minorities. As the player, you begin to control the character in ways that enforce the stereotype. The entire game focuses on forcing minority characters to act poorly. Also, in times when scenes are just being played, the minorities follow their stereotypical ways. This game is helping to enforce stereotypes. It is very difficult, and possible impossible, to succeed without enforcing unethical behavior. Now, I think that the negative connotation associated with this game doesn’t become as bad if the game is not played frequently and is played in an active state. If the player really knows right and wrong before playing the game, a few rounds will not have a bad effect and enforce stereotypes. However, if this game is played daily in a vegetative state, the players’ subconscious begins to absorb this information. Eventually the thought process that occurs in the game will start to appear in real life. As someone who does not play this on a regular basis, I do not feel this game has any effect on me. Though, it is a good thing this game has a higher rating because children definitely should not be playing this. The negative images can have a huge impact on them and teach them to be unethical from a young age.
Overall, I would say my GTA:SA experience has been interesting. I definitely do not love the game, but I didn’t dislike it as much as I thought I would either. The bad images and concepts are not too bad for a temporary player.

"This game is helping to enforce stereotypes."

If ALL the characters in the game are stereotypes, doesn't that help draw attention to the stereotypes themselves? From a game design perspective, why do you think the game's creators rely so heavily on stereotypes?