I've found that The New York Times is one of the most critical and interesting mainstream outlets when it comes to discussing videogames. I don't find myself typically agreeing with its writers, but I still like to read their views. A new piece discussing the so-called cultural responsibility of Ubisoft's Prince of Persia is another recommended NY Times read, even if I have to raise an eyebrow at the sentiment.
"What are we to make of a "Prince of Persia" who talks and behaves like a 17-year-old American mall rat?" asks writer Seth Schiesel. "A "Prince of Persia" with blue eyes, fully Anglicized facial features and what looks like a tan he picked up on spring break? Is it taking a video game too seriously to shrink in distaste from such characterizations? In fairness, the new Prince of Persia does not claim any historical or cultural authenticity; the game is set in a fantastic magical realm rather than in a rendition of any real place. But does that absolve the game of any responsibility?"
Schiesel brings up "Orientalism," a practice in which Western people lump everything from the East into one big pigeon hole while at the same time exploiting and romanticizing it. A little deep an accusation for an Ubisoft game? Not according to The NY Times:
"Prince of Persia is a great game, but simply being a video game is no longer sufficient to earn a pass from being held to account for shaping the perceptions and attitudes of its players. Not anymore," Schielsel posits.
Is Prince of Persia responsible for shaping our perception of the East? Should a platforming action game that doesn't pretend to be anything more than player empowerment feel responsible for whatever imagery it may or may not perpetuate? For me, a game's first responsibility is simply to be enjoyable. I don't feel any form of entertainment, whether it strives to be art or not, is responsible for anything other than whatever its creator wants it to be. Ubisoft had no obligation to anybody with this game, other than to produce something worth $60.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
6:00 PM on 12.29.2008
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Why aren't we all having a party that a nation-wide paper said that?
We shouldn't be offended, we should be DANCING.
I can show you a load of games that prove "them" right.
So video games - along with other mediums - should always be deadly serious and fit all cultural nuances? If it was a game about the Persians warring then fine, they shouldn't be Americanised but it's a freaking fantasy platformer game. I'm fairly certain the Persians aren't fighting mythical monsters right now too, but I don't see anyone complaining about that.
Also - excellent point taumpytears, interesting that this journalistic hack feels the need to attack games, when every other visual medium has done this in the past.
What the fuck are they trying to say? That you should only kill white people or something? Ever hear of White on White crime? Then what the fuck is this?
I must be losing my mind.
Also, fuck the NY Times and their liberal asses.
Why? That shouldn't be a game's responsibility. Certain games, yes. WWII epics for example, shouldn't portray the Japanese as camp, skirt wearing jessies, that would be ridiculous. But another, non-serious game? Fine, so long as it's done in a clearly humourous way. I play games for fun. I can separate what is intended as factual and what is not. Anyone who thinks a Persian looks/talks/is like PoP is retarded.
Niero wins
And ya, people are out there that will think the Prince is a typical Persian due to this game. Call them retarded or whatever, they're still out there and they get to vote and bear arms.
The Prince of Persia.
"Ubisoft had no obligation to anybody with this game, other than to produce something worth $60."
That's right. You just proved why capitalism makes shitty art with douchey American-guys as the hero all the time. Thanks capitalism, you're awesome! And so are douchey white guy heroes. They're the awesomest!
Jim Sterling = the Rush Limbaugh of videogame blogging.
well thats true, if video games are only about money. its the same plague that is going through the movie industry -- cookie cutter repackaged characters that all conform to the same idea of the "perfect" protagonist.
that being said, even in a market full of this trend (westernization of characters in all media), i still think there can be successful media if companies start realizing that the audience is mature enough to accept a character that does not fit into a comfortable category.
i think prince of persia is a particularly glaring example of the westernization of characters because the game actually goes out of its way to do so. the plot, setting, TITLE, etc point to a specific character and ethnicity. why change it?
i want video games to be considered art, not just media. movies are declining from art to media as we speak, and some of the things symptoms of this are the same things that video games are starting to suffer from, and that really worries me.
Of course, if Ubisoft came out and said the game was intended as serious art then you'd have a case, as that would be farcical.
He looks like a homeless freak some rich guy sued for all the bread in his lint filled pockets.
Oh, and Persian's, don't make me get Alexander back up in this bitch to hand you another one.
I'd like to believe that, but I think that's a rather idealistic assessment. Games that deviate from comfortable norms often end up on the losing side of the sales figures. You know this.
The market is not mature in the slightest. If it was, Activison wouldn't be dropping interesting games left and right in favor of titles it can repeated ad nauseum year upon year.
I liked this Sinbad best.
Just because, really do I need to explain why i posted this.
Sinbad and the eye of the tiger, special guest star Gandalf ftw!
Oh please!
Resident Evil 4 taught me that Spaniards are insect zombie mutants. Resident Evil 5 taught me that killing black people is awesome. Persona 4 taught me that Japanese people have extremely westernized features. Oh, wait. No, they didn't. Because I'm not a big enough fucking idiot to believe that video games are an accurate representation of any part of reality.
So what's the correct response to that reality? is it to just throw up your hands and say: videogames are always going to be immature so stop criticizing us because we're not REAL culture, it's just stupid toys for the stupid kids to make money for stupid corporations. Leave Prince of Persia alone, NYTimes!
Or can we try to build a mature gamer market that can support truly "mature" (ironic that an "M" rating really means: has tits, swear words and gore) titles? Should we turn our backs and throw up our middle fingers at all criticism from outsiders who don't understand our stupid, childish hobby, or should we engage the criticism and demand more from the community and the industry?
Yah, bitch.
that is a regrettable truth. i do know that what i am saying is an idealistic desire. its a very sad thing that all the things we do for fun is just becoming entertainment at the basest level, but as of right now, it is a reality.
that being said though, i really think that there is room for both art and entertainment, just as there are in books (lord of the rings, 1984, evasion, etc). i just find it to be a shame that a medium with such potential is already being stunted by this sort of "market to the masses" attitude. i just think that a game can be fun and thought-provoking at the same time (chrono trigger, metal gear solid series), and that we, as a gaming community, should expect higher of the games we play.
so there is enough blame to go around to the creators and the consumers. i am just hoping that things start to change a bit.
Daxelman, the funny thing is, when you Google 'Sinbad Movies' you expect to find the classic Sinbad movies, but no you get Sinbad the comedian and his movies, damn Sinbad to hell! hehe
Sinbad was amazing. A-FUCKING-MAZING.
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I personally enjoyed the banter between Mr. Prince and Hot Piece of Ass in the game. It was funny.
I didn't take it super seriously and cry about it, like some so-called adults did.
Weird. These losers should go die in freeway traffic.