From USC
They started with a blank screen and the chance to create whole new worlds. But video game makers' characters, as seen in the top 150 games in a year across nine platforms and weighted by their popularity, end up no better than television in depicting the diversity of American society, researchers say. They say that white, adult males are over-represented; women, children, the elderly, Latinos and Native Americans are under-represented. Asians are over-represented, which may not be a surprise considering the big roles taken in video games by Japanese developers and players, as well as the big influence of anime. African American characters appear in the games in the same proportion as their real life U.S. numbers. But their gaming presence puts them heavily in sports or stereotyped roles. Latinos and women are heavy gamers, despite their limited depiction as characters. Researchers say that seeing more characters like them would break down stereotypes, as well as encourage women, Latinos, blacks and Native Americans to consider becoming not only game developers but also more involved in science, technology, math and engineering. Blog commentators aren't buying the study.
For Minorities, an Exclusion in Video Game Characters
Click Here for Blog by an Author of Gamer Study and to See Comments
Nah, that's not true. Just look at stuff like GTA. ;)
Posted by: logitech g9 | 09/07/2011 at 06:29 PM