The document discusses the lack of racial diversity in many popular video games. While most protagonists are Caucasian, some games like Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Sleeping Dogs, and The Walking Dead feature non-Caucasian main characters. The document argues that greater racial diversity in games could help promote equality and allow for better player immersion. It also notes approaches like racially ambiguous, customizable, and non-human characters.

1. Lack of racial diversity in video games
Adam Harris

2. The Problem
Video games are a huge influence on society today, especially
for youth.
Many video games today, especially the more popular seem to
have a lack of racial diversity.
Typically, the protagonist is Caucasian.

3. Popular video game protagonists

4. Why do we need racial diversity
in video games?
It helps put a better perspective on equality as a whole
Assists in the emersion of video games

5. Trend Setting
Although many protagonist characters are
Caucasian, there are also some games who differ. Here
are examples of some of the more popular trend
setters.

6. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
This is one of the sequels to the famous video game Grand Theft
Auto. In this game the main protagonist is African American

7. Sleeping Dogs
This game is about an
undercover cop who gets
tasked to join a major
Asian gang and bring down
the leaders. The main
character is of Chinese
decent.

8. The Walking Dead
This game is a re-creation of
the popular TV show. In this
game, the main character is
Lee, and is African American.

9. Racial ambiguous characters
There are also games
which decide to have
characters who are
racially ambiguous.
These characters
have no set race, as
you never see their
face, or skin.

10. Racial ambiguous characters
This allows many
players put
themselves in the
characters shoes
as they have no set
racial identity.

11. Customizable Characters
Another popular option for games Is to allow users to
create their own characters. This avoids all racial
conflict that may arise.

12. Non-human Characters
Another example of a
solution is games that
use characters that are
non-human.

13. Conflict Theories
I believe this social problem relates to my topic well.
The conflict theories are related to power struggles, or
differentials. This includes class conflict, and racial conflict.
This is relevant as it makes video games seem as if all races
are not equal. As most of the main characters are Caucasian.

14. References
• Cato, Mathew. "Widening The Scope: A Look At Racial Diversity in Video Games." N.p., 8 Feb. 2011.
Web. 3 Apr. 2014. <http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/02/08/widening-
the-scope-a-look-at-racial-diversity-in-video-games.aspx>.
• "Complicated Pixels: Lack of Racial Diversity in Video Games?." Games and Culture. N.p., n.d.
Web. 3 Apr. 2014. <http://gamecult.umwblogs.org/2013/02/15/complicated-pixels-lack-of-
racial-diversity-in-video-games/>.
• "Sociology of Social Inequality." About.com Sociology. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2014.
<http://sociology.about.com/od/Disciplines/a/Sociology-Of-Social-Inequality.htm>.
• Lien, Tracy. "Why racial diversity and authenticity in games benefit players | Polygon." Polygon.
N.p., 2 Aug. 2013. Web. 3 Apr. 2014. <http://www.polygon.com/2013/8/2/4580624/why-racial-
diversity-and-authenticity-in-games-benefit-playerss>.
• Packwood, Damon. "Hispanics and Blacks Missing in Gaming Industry - New America Media."
Hispanics and Blacks Missing in Gaming Industry - New America Media. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr.
2014. <http://newamericamedia.org/2011/09/gamer-to-game-makers-wheres-the-
diversity.php>.