8 Video Games That Tackle Incredibly Polarising Subject Matter
1. Far Cry 3: The 'White Saviour' Narrative
To some, Far Cry 3 is a tale firmly rooted in discussions of sanity and savagery. Questions regarding poor portrayal of mental health in video games aside (reducing mental illness to a mere video game mechanic is an example of sanism plain and simple), Far Cry's evocation of tribalistic imagery, callbacks to classic imperialist tropes of the 'Noble Savage' as well as the 'White Saviour' does render its tale problematic by definition.
Indeed, its flippant usage of these caricatures, plot-devices and archetypes is most definitely troubling, and was quite rightly critiqued upon its release for its over reliance - let alone embracement of - these long-derided tropes.
Gameplay wise, Far Cry 3 is still an exemplary release. Its abject embrace of colonial storytelling, however, merely embodies the 'Cultural Imperialism' Edward Said so eloquently attacked in his monograph of the same name. Its ignorance alone is massively offensive, but defences mounted in its name only further exacerbate such disconcerting politics.
Rather, if you were offended by the title, it was only because you didn't understand it. Not because it perpetuated imperialistic narratives. Nah. Your feelings are irrelevant, you were just too dumb to not get it. That's basically what the writer's defence amounts to.
If we are to believe it, the entire point of the script was to tackle these tropes... tropes that the game perpetuated in the first place? Doesn't that just make it a really ineffective satire?
For a series that has formed one of the key cornerstones of Ubisoft's gaming lineup however, Far Cry 3 remains a troubling experience.
- A Conclusion -
While I'm obviously pleased that the various writers of the medium are steadily improving upon the banal naivety of storylines gone-by, it must be said there is a danger of alienation and division. In a community already polarised by external discourse and critique, these moves certainly have the potential to further entrench the long-documented vitriol and angst the community has been characterised by in recent years.
Regardless of the potential consequences of social-commentary forming the basis of many storylines to come, it is paramount that the industry's writers remain uncompromising in their commitment to mature storytelling.
--
Where do you stand on where game's 'can' and 'can't' go? Let us know in the comments!