Representations in Tomb Raider - Ethnicity
Definition of ethnicity:
• Ethnicity is how a person is labelled/judged on the basis of their physical characteristics – especially skin colour
• Nationality is how a person is stereotyped according to their country of origin
• Game Studies is concerned with the way games use ethnicity /nationality and how this has consequences for racial understanding
• Some believe that games promote a western lifestyle and are eurocentric or ethnocentric
In computer games:
• White characters are in the majority
• Mostly all human characters in young children’s games are white
• There are virtually no positive/ non-stereotypical representations of ethic minorities
• For example: Latinos are usually criminals/ African-Americans are usually athletes
• Most non-white characters appear in sports or combat games
• If there is a female character, she is usually white
• Most heroes are white men
• Non-whites are more likely to be victims of violence
• The majority of ethic types are invisible within games
• Ethnicity is how a person is labelled/judged on the basis of their physical characteristics – especially skin colour
• Nationality is how a person is stereotyped according to their country of origin
• Game Studies is concerned with the way games use ethnicity /nationality and how this has consequences for racial understanding
• Some believe that games promote a western lifestyle and are eurocentric or ethnocentric
In computer games:
• White characters are in the majority
• Mostly all human characters in young children’s games are white
• There are virtually no positive/ non-stereotypical representations of ethic minorities
• For example: Latinos are usually criminals/ African-Americans are usually athletes
• Most non-white characters appear in sports or combat games
• If there is a female character, she is usually white
• Most heroes are white men
• Non-whites are more likely to be victims of violence
• The majority of ethic types are invisible within games
- What ‘message’ does the portrayal of white/ non-white characters send to white/non-white players?
- What behaviour do games deem appropriate for white/non-white players?
- Do games perpetuate/reinforce racial/ national stereotypes?
Look at your notes on the other characters in Tomb Raider (2013).
What other representations exist? Think about gender and ethnicity.
Are they positive or negative? Can you identify any issues or debates?
What other representations exist? Think about gender and ethnicity.
Are they positive or negative? Can you identify any issues or debates?