By Jamaal Ryan
I want to get ahead of this discussion because I can see it
coming.
Today, Ubisoft revealed a trailer lavishly showing off its
variety of weapons in their upcoming shooter, Far Cry 4. It shows an impressive
array of sizzling auto rifles, punchy explosives, cringe-worthy crossbows, and
weaponized wildlife. It certainly looks to be the follow up we both wanted and
expected to Far Cry 3. Also in the video, we’re introduced to who is presumed to
be your go-to weapons dealer, an assumed African native that’s seems to be infatuated
with firearms. This, I can see, can cause some stirs.
Far Cry 3’s criticisms entered around the upswing of the
advocacy of social representation, calling for more gender, racial, and sexual
orientation diversity. The game’s vacationing-gone-wrong narrative was, if
nothing else, sophomoric in its execution and grandiose in its vision, thus
creating some unsettling interpretations of the depiction of our protagonist’s
interactions with the island’s natives. That stench lingered for quite some time.
And while ignored, a simple cover art for its sequel, Far Cry 4, was enough to
re-ignite the uproar, offering a platform for new accusations of colonial
racism. While I very much understood where this was coming from, I attempted to
rationalize the debate by looking at the game’s – then – rumored lead
character, the depiction of Pagan Min, and the creative minds behind Far Cry 4.
The flames have largely been doused, with the background of
Pagan Min revealed, and the intentions of the script writers themselves. However
after today, we may see this discussion again.
The terms “race” and “Far Cry” are well acquainted, and not
in a good way unfortunately. Because of this, I couldn’t help but pay more
attention to the weapons’ dealer’s accent than I did to the gameplay footage
itself. This could be easily justified as
an expected circumstance of being set in the Himalayan region, not too far from
Africa.
“But what about a Black guy selling you guns?”
Yes. That certainly could generate suspicion as well, since
Black characters in video games, from FF VII’s Barret to FF XIII’s Sazh (and
almost everything in between), have often been associated with guns. The illustration
reinforces the stereotype that is heavily influenced by America’s gang culture,
and draws the assumption that Blacks are predisposed to violence; particularly
gun violence. Here, we very well see a Black man who is enjoying the business
of arms dealing.
By and large, it’s a simple 2-and-a-half minute video, whose
purpose is to solely show off the ballistic action that emerges from Far Cry 4’s
many, many guns. And regardless where you stand, it looks like a hell of a lot
of fun.
But for some, this video game be a sliver of foreshadowing, an
irritant for the sore spot that is Far Cry’s controversial past. However as I’ve
emphasized before, hold your convictions until November 18th.
Image courtesy of Lightning Gaming News
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