summary “Representation and Self-Representation: Arabs and Muslims in Digital Games”
The article I read today focused on video games and their depiction of Arabs. The article is broken into five sections before coming to a conclusion. I found the author, Vit Sisler to be very informed in his argument throughout the paper with appropriate source inclusion. He begins with the first video game to his knowledge depicting Arab forces. They are a mere rectangular cursor in a game based on the 1967 Israeli-Arab war. The game itself takes a Zionist side states Sisler. Since this games with Muslim characters have continued to marginalize and follow stereotypes of Islamic followers. He continues this train of thought in his next third section particularly focusing on America’s Army and Command & Conquer: Generals as examples of typically showing Muslims as terrorists. We also see stereotypes of Islamic societies in his second section when games such as Prince of Persia are used as examples of having “orientalistic” elements. These include things such as settings, character types such as caliphs and typical Middle Eastern mythologies.
On these first two sections I understand Sisler’s view of how theses games are being narrow minded on how Islamic societies are. In today’s world most Arab citizens aren’t terrorists, and many nations are not the “backwards” oriental societies we think they are. While these games use stereotypes to gain popularity they don’t claim to show a realistic version of society in the Middle East today and draw a rather large audience. I think video games can use these stereotypes to draw more interest from people that don’t know about the region to the game and some of those players may go on to learn what the region is actually like. As for the idea that America’s Army has mostly Caucasian and Afro-American soldiers fighting Arab terrorists I believe it and it makes sense. The game is made by the US Army for recruiting purpose. What do people expect?
Sisler goes on in his other two sections to explain how in newer games stereo types are being taken away and greater understanding of Islamic societies is trying to be implemented. He uses Civilization Three as an example. We also find out in these sections that Arab companies are making video games now that depict themselves in glorious fights against Israeli soldiers and other oppressors in their eyes.
I think it’s good that we are seeing a world in which each side of an argument gets to make racist games towards their goals for young generations. At least we can see in this fashion that no one is too high and mighty to try and brain wash those who play video games. It’s sad, but I believe racism will always exist and as long as humans make video games it’ll be apparent there as well.
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