48 comments | showing # 1 to 48

BoBoTheChimp757

I agree with "some white guy". Labeling things "black" or whatever ethinicity you happen to be just hurts progress and divides people even more. But, I'm sure it will go through anyway as long as "black colleges" and BET exist.

Rucksack

I don't think it's racist, but I think it's clearly a double standard.

It's not preventing anyone from producing a "white game" or excluding any other ethnic group from enjoying the game. It's just reflective of a society that values one groups heritage while vilifying another's.

A "white game" would be perceived as racist because whites are seen as the oppressors and the "owners" of American society. Conversely, a "black game" would be celebrated because African-Americans are seen as victims who lack cultural ownership in society.

Because of the perception of cultural ownership "White things", whatever the hell those are, are seen as pointless and thus racist when ever proposed.

It's simply a repackaging of Marxism, and thus silly and insulting to human intelligence.

I have no problem with the game, it's just the thought process behind it.

SuitcoatAvenger

It's a goofy name, and probably could have been better thought out (I agree that 'HBCU Campus Football' probably would have been a better road to walk on), but there's no denying that the HBCU campuses are real. I mean, basically it's like saying that 'Madden NFL Football 10' should just be called 'PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL 2010'. 'Black College Football' is not meant to be a racist name, it's just a name that is race-oriented by fact and reality.

That being said, there's no excuse for 'The Xperience'. That's just stupid no matter what your race, creed or country.

koehler83

I would totally play Black Golf. Maybe then I'd be able to see where the ball lands.

sickNasty

I guess it's no more racist than the fact that there still are black only colleges.

But the White College Football Xperience would be a terrible game. The teams would just consist of offensive lineman and quarterbacks.

ZING!

rushtodeath

The way I understood it is that this was a game about historically black colleges that aren't represented in something like the NCAA games.

Considering there are no "White Colleges" makes it kind of a silly point for Alex aka some white dude to make.

Its not Black Football. Its Black College football.

If you want to make a statement about Black Colleges, thats one thing - but I don't think there is anything sinister here with the game.

Rucksack

The more I think about it the more I feel that I take the most issue with just how mind-numbingly insipid the name is.

"Black College Football the Xperience" just screams cynical marketing decision to me.

It's as if a respectful name, like say "HBCU Football 2009", wasn't "black" enough for someone. Intentionally misspelling words and thus perpetuating stereotypes makes you look worse than simply foolish.

As I said, I don't take issue with the game itself. It's the thought process behind the game.

Rucksack

PappaDukes

Terrible name indeed. It should be "African-American College Football the Xperience". Rolls right off the fucking tongue.

ElfShotTheFood

"But the White College Football Xperience would be a terrible game. The teams would just consist of offensive lineman and quarterbacks."

Or you could just play as Duke. ;)

People complaining about BCFX need to do a bit of research on what it is actually trying to represent.

And if the game is good, it could be a viable alternative for people who like football but aren't into Madden.

gatorsax2010

The problem is the name. "HBCU Football," while probably more accurate and more "racially sensitive," is hard to market. You'll get all sorts of people asking "What's the HBCU?" not realizing what it actually stands for. Calling it "Black College Football" opens up the other can of worms, the race issue. The game isn't about race, per se, but about a class of schools under-represented in the NCAA games, schools with their own deep traditions that get glossed over in the other games. The name is the biggest problem. Also, I agree with others, "The Xperience" needs to be dropped.

Also, HBCUs have the best marching bands.
/Band nerd

Orpheus has a headache

I do agree, the name change dosn't make much sense and would've been better and more dignified with something like HBCU Football. I mean the movie Drumline is set at HBCU schools, but the movie makers didn't think they had to name it "Black Dudes with Drums: The Xhibition!"

Also to clarify an earlier post, HBCU schools don't only have African Americans, they are just predominantly attended by many African Americans. Persons of other races are often offered very good schalarships to attend. In case anyone doesn't know, HBCU stands for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

bodybreak

i'm sure Alex doesn't bat an eyelash when he plays NHL '09 and 99% of the player roster is whitey. (i am white, btw)
i also love when white people get up in arms over minorities trying to empower themselves and misconstrue it as some sort of threat. ie. "why can black people have black pride marches, but when white people do it then it's racist??!!" that's because they are racist, dolt.

WickedSwagger

The whole point of "Why can't whites do this?" is mute. We can't because we have no idea what it's like to be a minority. Further more, to be precise, we should say "Why can't white males do this?". If this game were "Women College Football Xperience" it wouldn't be an issue at all and the game would probably be labeled a novelty. But in the end, Aspyr Media wins, we talk about their game.

VaeVictus

You apologists really are funny.

Bodybreak, your comment makes no sense. If you fail to see the double standard, you're the dolt. Oh, and the NHL's rosters are that way b/c that is the makeup of NHL rosters, not b/c of some prejudice by the game maker. Same thing with the N.B.A. or the N.F.L.

WickedSwagger, that's a pretty porous defense. Also it's "moot," not "mute."

The game will probably suck terribly...much like the football teams of the HBC's do.

The makers really are hurting the chances this game will sell. I guess if it doesn't sell well, then the whitey's who don't buy it are racist. Ridiculous.

Until we stop seeing color, racism will never end.

hpv

WickedSwagger: I'm white and have a VERY good idea what it's like to be a minority. And I think a lot of white people in America do as well from growing up in areas where they weren't even close to a majority. Which isn't to say it's the same experience as being not white, but it's not like there is a single definitive "minority experience" in America or anywhere else. We forget that too often as everyone's grabbing to get theirs and it's part of the reason we have yet to move that far forward on so many problems that we face.

With that said, I'm having trouble believing this game is real. I'm looking at the picture on GameStop and I just can't believe it. The cover art is worse than those "I'm lovin' it" commercials McDonald's used to run when they decided to target the "urban" demographic. Needs work.

bodybreak

if you're referring to the double standard of black pride and white pride -- go on youtube and search up black pride march then contrast it with white pride march and report back with your findings.

and coulor-blindness isn't a valid solution to racism, because the colour of a person's skin is the first trait we recognize on a person. the real answer is in destroying stereotypes attached to skin colour and "race" -- not trying to pretend black people are white too.

Holyetheline

I thought Black people were under the impression that this is the way things are supposed to be. Back in the day we isolated all the n-word's to the back of the bus... These days they're learning from the past and isolating themselves in videogames. Good for them. You know all the black movies out there... It's just black culture. It's the way things are and I don't give a shit.

Rucksack

@WickedSwagger

"We can't because we have no idea what it's like to be a minority".

Did you seriously just say that? I'm proud to be from a highly diverse city where "white people" are not the majority.

Just because you can't get out of your own box, it doesn't mean the rest of us are as unfortunate.

Knigge

Isn't REGULAR college football already black college football?

JACK of No Trades

Its still a HUGE double standard. Reverse racism is bad too. We have a black president and that should show people that times have changed and to not use race as an excuse for their losses in society. Im pretty sure racism is at its ends in this country, but it won't go away if people/companies keep capitalizing on it.

Tubatic

OK I'M HERE GUYS I HURD YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE WHAT'D I MISS!?!?!!?!

*ahem*

At its core, I think the game itself is a great idea. At least a few years go when I played college sports games, it was pretty clear that HBCU teams were the third string teams in these games. Accurately so, because HBCU's aren't normally a large part of the major Bowl race. If Morgan State isn't showing up in a major Bowl game, what's the point of putting major production time into making sure their theme song and stadium are accurate? In the big picture, HBCU's aren't a major part of the NCAA Experience.

That doesn't mean the experience of these teams and college heritage isn't interesting though! There are most certainly rivalries and interesting culture surrounding these HBCUs that I think would be great to represent in a game. If not to resonate with the fans, attendess and alumni of those college, then to open up that experience to people that won't get any of that from ESPN coverage, which by and large is primarily focused on the Bowl Race and huge conference teams. *Right fully so*

The name? I haven't had a problem with it. I guess I understood what they were trying to say, being aware and accepting that there's a palpable and proud subset of college football that really isn't represented with any sort of artisanship in the major NCAA games. I would agree that HBCU Football would have been a bit more clear to the public at large. But functionally, I feel like thats splitting hairs.

Rucksack

@Tubatic

Damnit, why did you have to come and say something undeniably reasonable? I was having fun constructing a Marxist conspiracy theory.

I agree that the game is meant for a under-served market niche. That much is obvious.

Still, I stand by my earlier point. The whole concept of a cultural double standard is ridiculous, and infuriates me to no end. In 21st century America we need to move past ethnic interest groups.

As I said, I really do think the game is harmless. It just reminds me of so much that is wrong with my favorite country.

Usedtabe

@Jack of No TRades: It's not called "reverse racism" for two reasons. Number one is that to "reverse" something, even racism, is to eliminate it. Therefore it is just "racism". The second reason, and probably the worst, is that reverse racism implies that it's reverse because it is dealing with racism against whites, and it implies that only whites can be racist. So any racism against whites would be the "reverse" of normal racism. There really is only racism, and no one race has it on lockdown as being the only offender.
Other than your use of that term, I agree with your sentiments.

Concerning the game, I know the history behind "Historically black colleges", so the game doesn't bother me at all. It's nothing racist against whites or other minorities, it's just that these colleges are historically black colleges.

smurfee mcgee

There probably won't be any white-only sports games, because they would mostly be boring. har har
It's black colleges playing football, right? Makes sense.
As far as I know, there arren't any whites-only colleges. So it's kind of a dumb argument.
However, the word Xperience and why it's there offends the hell out of me. seriously.

Dexter345

Even if it were labelled "HBCU Campus Football," the idea behind it is totally foreign to me. Are there people out there, football fans, who only follow football games played between historically black colleges?

I can understand there being a fan of a team from a historically black college. But wouldn't that fan enjoy just as much to play as his team, beating any of the other college teams in its division, rather than just the other black teams? Personally, I feel like anybody who wants a game with only black players is racist; simply by definition.

I can't come up with any reason in my mind how you can justify it any other way. There is no gameplay advantage of having only black teams. I can see why the suits okayed the idea: they like money, and they know that there are enough people out there who are racist, and who will buy the game.

But then, that's just an opinion from a non-black person, so I obviously don't understand the issue.

Syn

Yeah...double standard, stupid bullshit. It's all been said.
But now I feel like making a sweeping generalizing statement: football players are over-paid muscle-bound idiots. And one of the reasons for black dudes being big and muscley is because slave owners bred them as livestock for moving junk around. You're welcome black football players.

There now I've said something rude and unnecessary, feel my hate.

Tubatic

@Rucksack

::strokes his curleh mustache::

@Usedtabe

And here I thought we didn't agree on anything! I completely agree with having a problem with "reverse racism" as a term. Though I understand what someone's trying to say when they say that, it always makes me think that someone doesn't really understand what racism is when they say that.

@anyone (Going off on a tangent...)
Considering the similar issues and statistics assigned to any given group, I think I little special interest is required to meet bizzare to mondanely routine needs of a certain culture/upbringing.

The tricky part is that ethnicity and culture are so often tied together that even sometimes reasonable generalizations (All black people are at risk of high blood pressure) can get twisted into ineffective axioms and solution routines (Advise your black patients not to eat alot of fried chicken) despite the actual individual circumstances (My mom has a killer fried chicken recipe, but by no means makes it as staple of her regular diet plan. She still has high blood pressure for other reasons)

Los255

I actually saw the PC version sitting in a shelf at an almost closed Circuit City store. I couldn't help but have my mouth open while looking at it, it's blatantly stereotyping and it's obvious attention whoring from the "devs"

gatorsax2010

@Dexter

I think traditionally, most of the HBCUs play each other, so if you follow one, you end up having to care about the rest of them. Plus, unless I'm thinking of a different game, this game is tailored to focus on the things that make HBCU football games unique from big-time NCAA football. I'm pretty sure, for example, they included a "Battle of the Bands" mode or something to that effect, since in many cases that overshadows the football (like the Bayou Classic between Grambling and Southern). I don't see this marketing thing so much as a race thing as it is a cultural thing.

Syn

@Rucksack: I'll say it to your face. I live in Arvada, Colorado. Come test me.

MechaMonkey

I'm not racist because I have a black President.

I'm just going to go ahead and second everything intelligent that's already been said. I'm interested in seeing how well this sells. That may settle some of the arguments about the game. If it turns out there's actually a market for it, then by all means, make your game. If not... well, then the game's creators will probably be dubbed racists, whether accurate or not.

Rucksack

@Syn

You're absolutely ridiculous aren't you?

Though, I think I understand you better now that I know where you're from.

I really hate to stereotype, but a town with a 91.04% white majority would be conducive to the thought patterns that you displayed.

Also, I'm from here.

Come for a visit!

Syn

@Rucksack: I am completely ridiculous. And I was pretty sure I dropped enough hints that showed what I was saying was total bullshit and mainly was for effect. And I would stick out in your neighborhood like fire in the dark. I'm a tall viking looking motherfucker, got the hair and the beard to match.

But I do truly hate football...well not the sport itself, the fact that we glorify it and pay people millions of dollars to play a game. I want millions of dollars to play a game in front of people once or twice a week. This goes for all sports. And I also think that if we are going to allow one 'color' to have their own whatever, then we should allow any color to have their own whatever. But it doesn't work like that, and that is what irritates me.

Syn

oh yeah, and I would still say it, in your neighborhood even. Knowing that it would get me shot. I don't care as long as the point is made and the lesson learned.

But that also wouldn't be the case.

SubOrbital

Why is America still so hung up on racism? As an outsider, all I can do is shake my head at all the nonsense. This is most certainly a double standard. As a minority [of another nation] I can't help but get annoyed at all this white black shit like no other minorities exist.

Lefty2Gunz

What is interesting is that the term "Black College Football" was not created by Nerjyzed Entertainment, Inc. to exclude other races. The rich history of "Black College Football" began almost 120 years ago as a means for African American collegiate players to have the same opportunity to play the great American sport of football on their segregated campuses. Not by choice, but by law. Black Colleges (once again, segregated by law at the time) were not included in the NCAA when it was formed in 1910, so Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) developed their own conferences (SWAC, MEAC, CIAA and SIAC) that still exist today.

Also, each year a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) is named the "The Black College Football" national champion, which is recognized and sanctioned by the NCAA (created post-segregation).

To me it seems as though the creators of BCFx - The Black College Football Xperience, made a conscience decision to shine a much needed light on a one-of-a-kind sports experience that has existed since 1892 when the first "Black College Football" game was played between two Historically Black Colleges - Biddle University and Livingstone College. Anyone who has ever experienced a Black College Football game would know the pageantry and excitement of the Classic rivalries, show-stopping marching bands, and halftime shows, that make this experience truly unique.

The current EA Sports NCAA College Football game, which was recently released, excludes HBCU schools such as Southern University, Grambling State University (Alma Mater of NFL Superbowl MVP, Doug Williams) and Florida A&M University, and therefore gamers would not have an option if it were not for BCFx � The Doug Williams Edition.

I did my research on this game and company and found out that the concept of this video game was developed by HBCU alumni who simply recognized this as an opportunity to provide educational and entertaining content to everyone regardless of race.

SouthDelta

Black College football represents Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the South. There is nothing racist about it. Ironically at the majority of the HBCU's the make-up of their baseball teams are majority White players. White graduates of HBCU's understand the tradition of Black Colleges and they don't take offense to the term because they understand the tradition. Really it's mostly White Northerners,Easterners and Westerners who probably never herd of Grambling,Jackson State,Winston-Salem or NC&AT.or the SWAC conference or MEAC conference. It's ironic that Southern Whites today understand the Black College or HBCU tradition more so than Whites outside the South.lol

klanman

NFL Street wasn't good enough? They had to make a college version too??

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