Current Events > Are new video game IPs with Black protagonists (still) too risky?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Specifically, games that are not crime sims, sports games, or vehicles for some celebrity.
I'd like games that go into genres like Action-Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Adventure, RPGs Platforming; hell, even Visual Novels.

We're five decades into the video game industry, and there is still a dearth of Black video game protagonists--as in, THE main protagonist. I don't expect much from Japan on that front (but then again, they regularly use White protagonists across their media), but the lack of these from Western developers especially those in the U.S. is rather odd. Aside from the aforementioned crime sims, sports games, and celebrity vehicles, we've recently had Deathloop, Watch_Dogs 2, Forspoken, and Spider-Man: Miles Morales (including the new Spider-Man 2 game, though Miles shares the protagonist spot with Peter Parker, to my knowledge); plus, there's Starhawk as a somewhat older example, and the upcoming Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. A very small number compared to the vast amount of games that are released yearly, and some of them are based on existing properties.

I know that big publishers want to stick with ideas and concepts known to be a success, especially with how expensive game development is these days. Other factors include the global markets, especially Asia, as well as the ridiculous backlash from Gamers who complain about anything they see as "woke".

Still, would the idea of a Black protagonist headlining a new video game be too much of a turn-off for publishers and audiences? Is it better to ask for games like these from indie studios instead, or would it be too risky even then? (As indie development has its own challenges.)

Heck, I enjoyed Heller as protagonist of Prototype 2, since the first was a bit of an edgelord.

I haven't gamed in a while but it always seems like most games allow you to create your own character these days.

it's why elden ring > totk

I appreciate Alan Wake 2 making its new lead a black woman (Alan is another lead, but it starts with her), and having her be such a big part of the game.

plus, she's a mother, which is rare for any female lead in gaming.

Deathloop came out in 2021 and got GOTY nominations.

DementedDurian posted...

Heck, I enjoyed Heller as protagonist of Prototype 2, since the first was a bit of an edgelord.

Same. Would love to see the Sergeant make a return in a sequel or even a reimagining of the first two games now that Microsoft owns the IP. Same with Pretty Boy as Heller sarcastically calls Alex Mercer throughout the second game.

Don't forget Forspoken.

Probably. There's supposedly a Yasuke game in the works, but it doesn't look like a lot of money's being put into it. The clips I've seen look like ass.

A historically inspired game based on Yasuke could be amazing.

I have never heard of anyone complaining about CJ being black. And sure, that may not have been a new IP, but I really don't see that having changed even if it was.

I would think most of the time games starring black protags don't do well, it's because... the games sucked. What a shocker.

Shotgunnova posted...

Don't forget Forspoken.

Why not?

Everybody else did.

emblem-man posted...

I haven't gamed in a while but it always seems like most games allow you to create your own character these days.

Which I feel is a cop-out in this regard because in most cases, those characters are blank slates instead of actual characters with an established personality and background. Also, typically when those games are marketed, they use a White avatar anyway.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Yeah, I feel like the last thing is the issue. The game industry is still very much White and Asian, especially those in the positions to actually have creative input or influence instead of just being another cog in the wheel. Getting more Black people--and others, really--into those positions would be ideal, but it'd also be a challenge since it's been documented that there's still this "Ol' boys' club" mentally in the higher parts of the industry.

Which is why I feel that indie games may be the ideal place to start out.

Shotgunnova posted...

Don't forget Forspoken.

Mentioned in the OP. It's a shame that it ended up being a dumpster fire, because I was kinda looking forward to it.

brestugo posted...

There's supposedly a Yasuke game in the works, but it doesn't look like a lot of money's being put into it. The clips I've seen look like ass.

A historically inspired game based on Yasuke could be amazing.

This?

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2446760/YASUKE_A_Lost_Descendant/

Yeah, that looks kinda rough, but I'm guessing that it's still a long ways off from release, since there's not even a vague release period on the page.

Philip027 posted...

I have never heard of anyone complaining about CJ being black. And sure, that may not have been a new IP, but I really don't see that having changed even if it was.

There were lots of complaints about CJ being Black, to the point where there were even mods to turn him White.

They claimed that they couldn't "relate" to him, but of course they had no problem "relating" to an Italian mobster in the previous games.

I don't care who the protagonist is as long as the game is fun first and foremost

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nilin_(Remember_Me)#

TC, yes, that's the game I saw.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/a/a21b6f71.jpg

Too many still have the above policy, or at least right wingers do. Seeing black people is "woke."

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


I believe it, but I've never seen it, nor did it prevent the game from being one of the most well received and remembered in its franchise.

I've always been pretty wary whenever the industry says something is "too risky". Time and again it feels like diverse leads end up in underwhelming projects and the studio takeaway is that "audiences don't want a black/female/asian/whatever lead" instead of "audiences want a better product" And then somebody actually makes a good product with a minority lead and audiences buy it and the industry is all shockedpikachuface.pn