6 Video Game Characters Who Mirror Real World Issues

In a black-and-white world of duelling Assassins and Templars, 2012's Assassin's Creed III, although not as lauded as its predecessor, introduced us to the moral ambiguity that was Haytham Kenway.

Born as the son of famed Assassin Edward Kenway, who was then later murdered, Haytham rose through the ranks of the Templar Order, becoming the Grand Master of the Colonial Rite. His dedication to his Templar beliefs, that of order, purpose, and direction, was what primarily guided his mission in implementing Templar control over The New World. However, he noted the discrepancies in the proposed power structure of the Patriots to his Assassin son Connor, Haytham knew all too well of their intentions. He believed that their disagreements on how to implement control, as well as giving people the illusion of power, would inevitably become reality. As it did, in the American Civil War.

His conviction in his beliefs, along with his ability to perceive the faults in this system, can be related to the disillusionment many voters have in our dominant political system. Diametrically-opposed political parties often fight amongst one another, on how to best get an individual's vote. However, as time has shown us, the electorate almost never truly get their hands on power itself. As a result, many disaffected voters feel left behind, and therefore do not get involved at all in political procedures.

Haytham was not without fault, as his own Templar beliefs made him very headstrong, rebuking his son's arguments on free will, over the course of the game. He was the grey, however, in a world that did not yet see the potential for that colour.