For those visiting via USA Today or for longtime Multiplayer readers looking for more on how the paper consulted with us regarding the "Resident Evil 5" race issue, here are all the links you need:
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Readers of America's most popular newspaper, USA Today, are being treated to a pair of articles about this week's big game release, "Resident Evil 5." A sidebar tackles the issue of race in the game and its trailer, quoting articles that appeared on this blog and quoting me and a few other reporters.
To get up to speed here's your reading list:
This quote of mine that the paper uses -- "I see the global sign of poverty down the barrel of a gun. It doesn't look cool." -- is from That Notorious “Resident Evil 5″ Trailer And The People I Met In Africa (Essay by me in reaction to the game's 2007 debut trailer, regarding the trailer and images of poverty.)
This quote -- "This imagery has a history." -- is from Newsweek’s N’Gai Croal On The ‘Resident Evil 5′ Trailer: ‘This Imagery Has A History’ (Tracey John's interview with Croal that included his gut reaction about the imagery in the trailer.)
And this quote -- "Playing the game now, I don't feel like I am experiencing offensive stereotypes..." -- is from Racism is evil, but in the end is 'Resident Evil 5' racist? (Today's USA Today piece, which includes interviews with me, Croal and others about how views of the game -- including our own -- have changed since those earlier pieces. Yes, changed.)
In addition to my "Resident Evil 5" review on Thursday afternoon, I'll have a separate piece about my changing views about the depiction of race in the game near the end of the week.
The depiction of race in games may be an uncomfortable conversation for some, but I'm interested in sharing my honest and evolving opinion and to provide closure to this site's coverage of the topic in regards to this game. Those expecting blanket statements, vilifications of the game ... or apologies or backpedaling or anything else without nuance will be disappointed.
I agree with reporter Geoff Keighley, who closes the USA Today piece by calling the fact that games have reached the level of artistic achievement that a discussion about race and games can even be held as "a positive sign." He's right.
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