Gamerbailout’s Ramblings

Here’s a great video review of Arkham Asylum.  This looks like a really brilliantly done video game that is more than just a mindless “shoot ‘em up” game, but it has great story and mystery to make you use some of that gray matter between your ears as well.  And the graphics are pretty nice!  Check out the video review  from GameSpot!  This game actually looks like its at a level respectable to the legend that is THE DARK KNIGHT!  Can’t wait!

Review: Resident Evil 4: Mobile Edition

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Video Games Lack Female and Minority Characters – Science News | Science & Technology | Technology News – FOXNews.com

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The Video Game industry brings in over $18 billion dollars, and out of that amount it is reported that African-American spend more on video games than other groups. With African-American buying power fast approaching the $1 trillion dollar mark, the African-American consumers who are spending their hard earned money should ask, where are all the Black people? It’s shocking, how there are virtually no African-American characters that exists in the world of fantasy, first person shooters, action, strategy, and other genres of games. African-Americans exists as sidekicks and other disposables in the games and when they do show up in a major storyline, it’ tragically stereotypical character and still does not represent anything the African-American gamer can relate to. To get a feel, check out BET’s “Top 20 Characters in Gaming”, and you’ll see how woefully sad it is out there. So now the question evolves into, where are the African-American game developers?

Sadly, African-Americans make up on 2% of the gaming industry and developers are rarer than the rarest diamond. I personally am only aware of 4: Entertainment Arts Research (http://www.ea-research.com); Blue Heat Games (http://www.blue-heat.com), a mobile game developer; Nerjyzed Entertainment Game Studios (http://www.nerjyzed.com), maker of “BCFX (Black College Football Xperience)” game; and Tigon Studios (http://www.tigonstudios.com), which has some hot titles, but it’s that “Barca B.C.” that needs to come out, along with movie tie-in.

While there are only a few African-Americans in the gaming, there are some holding key positions with the major gaming companies, so one must ask why haven’t they moved to have a major African-American character in their games. Always remember business is business, corporations operate on a system of supply and demand, and in this economy companies are not going to invest in a project for which there has been no demand. But majority developers cannot be let off the hook completely, unless you have lived in a cave, by now you have seen enough African-Americans to know that they do not live the life you see depicted in a rap video you see on BET. However, as consumers it is our responsibility to demand what we wish to see and vote with their dollars. Parents as the primary consumers of video games for their minors have been far to quiet inside and outside the home. It is the parents, more than anyone, that should be our front and center in demanding more diversity and encouraging their children to do the same. More importantly, parents need heed the wise words of our new President and turn off the games and encourage their children to invest more time on an educational track during their primary school educational years that will lead to a career in gaming. Yes, that means more advanced courses, such as physics, geometry, calculus, programming and not just the minimum requirements to graduate. Instead of being just the consumers of video games, also start producing games as well. Can you imagine a Rock Band/Guitar Hero type game that is all Earth, Wind & Fire, The O’Jays, Doug E. Fresh, Grand Master J., Run DMC, Fab 5 Freddy, make up your own list and you’ll get the idea of the money getting left on the floor.

The lack of African-American entrepreneurs in the gaming is understandable, but still not acceptable. There are extremely high start up costs in the design and development of console games and MMOs make even the largest of companies not want to take an uncalculated risk on new game possibly failing to meet expectations once released. However, while developing console and MMOs games may seem more glamorous, there are other areas such as casual games and mobile games which are growing in popularity. XBOX 360 Games can be written using XNA Game Studio, which can be downloaded for free, and for a small fee once you have your completed game ready you can submitted and if it passes review, it will be listed on XBOX Live Marketplace. Entrepreneurs, get your game on and get it in!

Gaming is for everyone, and while it is a diversion from the realities of real life it would be nice to see various groups represented in games in a positive and dignified light. Black Gamers, it might be just a game, but the world needs to know whether in this reality or an artificial one that Black people are not zombie savages for target practice, all about just sports, criminality and definitely, definitely, does not live to be the disposable sidekick of others.

All Gamers Your views are welcome and don’t forget to play at http://www.gamerbailout.com and join in the fun. Hey chime in, give your opinion and if you know of games that represent various groups we love to hear about it!

These have been the Ramblings of GamerBailout! Out!