Post: iPhone Game Under Fire for Alleged Racism
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04-30-2009, 06:06 PM
#1
Cobra-D
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Originally posted by another user
You might not have noticed Bolt Creative's Pocket God amongst the flurry of iPhone apps added on a daily basis, but the Pacific Women's Information Network certainly has. According to a report by the Australia-based Brisbane Times (via Game Politics), the women's advocacy group is targeting this 99 cent iPhone game for allowing players to torture and kill tiny islanders that are, allegedly, designed to appear Polynesian.
"How do you think people would react if you created a game where you were God and you could create and kill as many Mexicans as you wanted? Or Asians?" responded Elaine Howard, one of the group's members, continuing, "People would be outraged. I hope you don't decide to advertise your application in New Zealand or Australia because you will get a backlash of the same intensity."
Dr. Malakai Koloamatangi of Canterbury University in New Zealand called the app "disgusting" and "totally degrading", stating that, "To claim [the game's characters] are not Pacific islanders is ridiculous. Everything about them is Polynesian," adding, "I'm not saying let's bring in the thought police but there needs to be limits on what is acceptable, and this surpasses those."
The developers at Bolt Creative issued a statement about the Pocket God -- currently ranked number 5 on Apple's list of top paid apps -- apologizing for any "misplaced" offense. "Bolt Creative does not intend and has never intended to offend or marginalize any nationality, race, or culture in any of its video games, including Pocket God," said a company representative.
This once again raises the question: When a game's content can be interpreted as racially offensive, how much does the developer's intent (or lack thereof) factor into your own response? If a company like Bolt -- or even Capcom with Resident Evil 5 -- genuinely means no harm with the products they're creating, does it affect how you view potentially questionable material?
"How do you think people would react if you created a game where you were God and you could create and kill as many Mexicans as you wanted? Or Asians?" responded Elaine Howard, one of the group's members, continuing, "People would be outraged. I hope you don't decide to advertise your application in New Zealand or Australia because you will get a backlash of the same intensity."
Dr. Malakai Koloamatangi of Canterbury University in New Zealand called the app "disgusting" and "totally degrading", stating that, "To claim [the game's characters] are not Pacific islanders is ridiculous. Everything about them is Polynesian," adding, "I'm not saying let's bring in the thought police but there needs to be limits on what is acceptable, and this surpasses those."
The developers at Bolt Creative issued a statement about the Pocket God -- currently ranked number 5 on Apple's list of top paid apps -- apologizing for any "misplaced" offense. "Bolt Creative does not intend and has never intended to offend or marginalize any nationality, race, or culture in any of its video games, including Pocket God," said a company representative.
This once again raises the question: When a game's content can be interpreted as racially offensive, how much does the developer's intent (or lack thereof) factor into your own response? If a company like Bolt -- or even Capcom with Resident Evil 5 -- genuinely means no harm with the products they're creating, does it affect how you view potentially questionable material?
05-02-2009, 04:38 AM
#8
NP Carling26
Trolling is a art
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