Comments on: Pocket God http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/ Notes and Queries in Anthropology — A Group Blog Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:52:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: kdk http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-606512 kdk Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:49:26 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-606512 dude its a game its not supposed to be any race at all just random guys on an island dude its a game its not supposed to be any race at all just random guys on an island

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]]> By: Kerim http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-602487 Kerim Wed, 13 May 2009 13:42:07 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-602487 Konrad, Thanks for your comments. There seem to be three separate questions raised by most commentators: 1. Are the images racist? 2. Should we be offended? 3. Should such images be censored? I started by stating that these images are indeed racist, although without any malicious intent on the part of the developers. (The above comments by both developers and others make it clear that the link with specific ethnic groups was even closer than I had imagined when I wrote the post.) You yourself acknowledge that "the exaggeration of their “primitive” nature [is] problematic." So lets assume we agree on this. You and other commentators then focus on issues 2 and 3 which were not central to my post. What I am interested in is a different question which is why the racist nature of these images has not provoked a reaction in the many, many, people who have given this game nothing but positive praise in their user reviews on the iTunes Application store, or in the numerous glowing reviews on various web sites. My point was that because indigenous people are seen as existing in the past, depictions of them as primitives are not seen as racist. To the extent that indigenous people are modern they are not seen as being indigenous people any more, and so should not be offended by this game. In an important sense, then, my post was more about the construction of indigeniety than about whether we should be offended at this game or not. But I see how easy it is for one issue to slide into the other, for if we accept my argument, then we must - in turn - question our own passive acceptance of these representations. I think that questioning is a good thing, although I don't have any easy answers about what the result of that questioning should be. Konrad,

Thanks for your comments. There seem to be three separate questions raised by most commentators:

1. Are the images racist?

2. Should we be offended?

3. Should such images be censored?

I started by stating that these images are indeed racist, although without any malicious intent on the part of the developers. (The above comments by both developers and others make it clear that the link with specific ethnic groups was even closer than I had imagined when I wrote the post.) You yourself acknowledge that “the exaggeration of their “primitive” nature [is] problematic.” So lets assume we agree on this.

You and other commentators then focus on issues 2 and 3 which were not central to my post. What I am interested in is a different question which is why the racist nature of these images has not provoked a reaction in the many, many, people who have given this game nothing but positive praise in their user reviews on the iTunes Application store, or in the numerous glowing reviews on various web sites.

My point was that because indigenous people are seen as existing in the past, depictions of them as primitives are not seen as racist. To the extent that indigenous people are modern they are not seen as being indigenous people any more, and so should not be offended by this game.

In an important sense, then, my post was more about the construction of indigeniety than about whether we should be offended at this game or not. But I see how easy it is for one issue to slide into the other, for if we accept my argument, then we must – in turn – question our own passive acceptance of these representations. I think that questioning is a good thing, although I don’t have any easy answers about what the result of that questioning should be.

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]]> By: K. M. Lawson http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-602481 K. M. Lawson Wed, 13 May 2009 12:12:31 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-602481 Thanks for the interesting posting and the debate in the thread. I must confess, I own a copy of the game and enjoy the digital violence I perpetrate upon the characters in the game. I also confess it had never entered into my mind that this would be seen as a racist game. Your posting does give me food for thought but I think I need more convincing. While I recognize the overtly "cute" depiction of the characters and the exaggeration of their "primitive" nature are problematic and I think the company is right to respond to the criticism and minimize associations between the characters in the game and any specific ethnic group, I worry that this kind of criticism can be taken too far. In my years of casual gaming I have caused far greater death and destruction to the civilians of the cities I have created (and then destroyed) in SimCity. The references to American city life are seen throughout various elements of the game (including the newspaper issues one reads) but one might protest that the sort of identification between SimCity and America is not enough to define the violence of monsters in SimCity against its digital inhabitants is not a good comparison. Then, let us take a closer example, what about the simulation Tropico. Set in a banana republic you, as "El presidente" (sp?) build and manage a simulated island community which you can starve, oppress, grant democracy, promote tourism, and sell out to Communism at one's whim. Should we condemn this game for its representations of central american peoples, its exaggerated in-game accents, etc.? Do the "tourist" native ruins one can construct in rural areas stand out for special criticism? My instincts lead me to Kerim's view that censorship of such games is generally undesirable but while I am willing to be persuaded, I also feel that the idea of a "right not to be insulted [through depiction in widespread stereotypes]" comes at too great a cost to society, creativity, humor, and yes, even cultural production. Thanks to @ilya to pointing out the discussion here and @kerim for the posting. Thanks for the interesting posting and the debate in the thread. I must confess, I own a copy of the game and enjoy the digital violence I perpetrate upon the characters in the game.

I also confess it had never entered into my mind that this would be seen as a racist game. Your posting does give me food for thought but I think I need more convincing.

While I recognize the overtly “cute” depiction of the characters and the exaggeration of their “primitive” nature are problematic and I think the company is right to respond to the criticism and minimize associations between the characters in the game and any specific ethnic group, I worry that this kind of criticism can be taken too far.

In my years of casual gaming I have caused far greater death and destruction to the civilians of the cities I have created (and then destroyed) in SimCity. The references to American city life are seen throughout various elements of the game (including the newspaper issues one reads) but one might protest that the sort of identification between SimCity and America is not enough to define the violence of monsters in SimCity against its digital inhabitants is not a good comparison. Then, let us take a closer example, what about the simulation Tropico. Set in a banana republic you, as “El presidente” (sp?) build and manage a simulated island community which you can starve, oppress, grant democracy, promote tourism, and sell out to Communism at one’s whim. Should we condemn this game for its representations of central american peoples, its exaggerated in-game accents, etc.? Do the “tourist” native ruins one can construct in rural areas stand out for special criticism?

My instincts lead me to Kerim’s view that censorship of such games is generally undesirable but while I am willing to be persuaded, I also feel that the idea of a “right not to be insulted [through depiction in widespread stereotypes]” comes at too great a cost to society, creativity, humor, and yes, even cultural production.

Thanks to @ilya to pointing out the discussion here and @kerim for the posting.

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]]> By: Pocket God "monster" http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-600579 Pocket God "monster" Wed, 06 May 2009 18:49:33 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-600579 You are all absolute and utter morons. Those who are defending Pocket God like littlewiiguy I apologise because you are good people. The rest of you are just demoralised citizens who take pleasure in criticizing anything they do because you cannot be as successful as they are. I would like to see the maker of this post arguing against a >1000000 strong army of PG fans. You are all absolute and utter morons. Those who are defending Pocket God like littlewiiguy I apologise because you are good people. The rest of you are just demoralised citizens who take pleasure in criticizing anything they do because you cannot be as successful as they are. I would like to see the maker of this post arguing against a >1000000 strong army of PG fans.

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]]> By: Bojangles http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-600279 Bojangles Tue, 05 May 2009 20:59:00 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-600279 You are all morons. Good day. You are all morons. Good day.

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]]> By: James http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-599822 James Mon, 04 May 2009 08:18:24 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-599822 Maniaku's failure observe the direct link between a.) the racist depictions of indigenous people, largely created and produced by disemminated by the science of anthropology and b.) the ongoing injustices sustained by the imperial and colonial state of Canada (its ongoing refusal to honour nearly every Treaty obligation). When indigneous peoples have to go to a foreign court of law and pass a legal test as to who they are and what rights they have, who are the expert witnesses...? Anthropologists (scientists). I am baffled and perplexed at how much focus and attention is put on the specifics of pocket game in correlation with debates as to whether or not is racist or offensive. Maniaku's suggestion that the connection between images like the ones the designers invoked is so far removed from the ongoing perpetual myth that indigenous peoples occupy a lower stage of human development is shocking. To mock me for suggesting that the link between images such as this, anthropology (science) and the violent injustices people sustain because of bullshit stadial theories ala Kant is absurd. Yet, these kinds of theories are salient in the curriculums of education systems; in popular media and have strong roots running deep since at least the enlightenment. Canadian settlement is legally justified by the British Common Law of 'Terra Nullius' (empty land); moreover, court cases that have come to pass in these recent decades litigate to what extent indigenous people are indigenous and where they fit into civilization. So what who the people if the land is empty (flora and fauna?) Essentially, what is taken as a post-colony of the Canadian state (since they are no longer governed by Britain) tries to paternalistically proclaim jurisdiction and responsibility for indigenous nations. This is a huge distortion and an imperial move to forego the Treaty obligations Canadian crown is legally bound to honour. Yet in the court of law we have justices ruling that indigenous peoples are of so low of a society and that their lives are 'nasty brutish and short' as does the justice in the relatively recent Delgamuukw case. The role anthropologists play in testifying on behalf of the crown and invoking the highly salient image of the backward and primitive savage is not much different than those working in the CIA or for any counterinsurgency or imperial agenda. Of course there have been a few esteemed anthros whose work should be emulated such as: Sally M. Weaver, Making Canadian Indian Policy: The Hidden Agenda, 1968-1970 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1981). Non-indigenous people or, settler society, seems quite content to easily say, oh, these are racist images, but what can we do? The real fight is in challenging the longstanding colonial relationship and spirit of these imgages because of their role in invoking what is a myth produces by science and history that is still, today, the faoundation of denying entire nations their Treaty rights; worse, yet, settler society denies themselves the benefits of honouring their Treaty obligations. What is happening as it happened in 1928, when the County Court of Nova Scotia in R. v. Syliboy rejected applying the international legal principle of a 1752 treaty between the British soveriegn and Mi'kmaq tribes on the grounds that Mi'kmaq were uncivilized persons or savages who did not have the capacity to enter into into the treaties; the grand chief of Mick Macks was originally convicted of unlawful possession of furs contrary to the Nova Scotia Lands and Forests Act). You can look through these cases. You can read what anthropologists say about a peoples 'level' of existence. I dont need to provide a social or historical analysis to make a direct link between these images and the abuse of law to benefit the society that wrote that law. As Sol Tax said during the Indian Claims Commissions (proceedings set up to help expediate the theft of INdian land) of the 1940's (just before Congress and the BIA pursued the termination policies of the 50s): Anthropologists have got themselves into a bad spot right now. Well, anthropology has not dealt with colonialism. It needs to restore honor its ancestors, written out of the history, who did stand up to colonialism such as Sol Tax Robert Thomas. But whenever you write critically of anthropology in north america these days, everyone is quick to defend the proffession- the science, the objectivity. Or, like Maniaku, make it irrelevant so we dont have to deal with it at all. As Tax said: To resolve an impossible problem one imagines it does not exist. In recalling Deloria's critique of anthros in 1969, all kinds of anthros called foul suggesting they never did anything wrong including Leslie White who was deeply disturbed and insulted by Deloria's critique. Yet, White's theories of evolution, along with other evolutionary theories, are damaging to indigenous people claims and for no good reason. Are anthropologists (and others) so obtuse that we cannot see how theorizing an entire nation is so low that, unless they become something that is other than what they are, there is no future for them. And then when states form policies to actualize this annhilation (passed off euphemistically as assimilation) or expediate it, anthropologists sit back and say, "Im a detached, dispassionate scientist". It is not enough to start and end with these manifestations, like pocket god, and whether or not they are racist. It is vital, in order to live right in treaty, together, and moving the same direction without each of us destroying the other, to look closely at Treaty and what it means to be a non-indigenous person living on their land (or doing nuclear tests near it). Maniaku’s failure observe the direct link between a.) the racist depictions of indigenous people, largely created and produced by disemminated by the science of anthropology and b.) the ongoing injustices sustained by the imperial and colonial state of Canada (its ongoing refusal to honour nearly every Treaty obligation).

When indigneous peoples have to go to a foreign court of law and pass a legal test as to who they are and what rights they have, who are the expert witnesses…? Anthropologists (scientists).

I am baffled and perplexed at how much focus and attention is put on the specifics of pocket game in correlation with debates as to whether or not is racist or offensive.

Maniaku’s suggestion that the connection between images like the ones the designers invoked is so far removed from the ongoing perpetual myth that indigenous peoples occupy a lower stage of human development is shocking. To mock me for suggesting that the link between images such as this, anthropology (science) and the violent injustices people sustain because of bullshit stadial theories ala Kant is absurd.

Yet, these kinds of theories are salient in the curriculums of education systems; in popular media and have strong roots running deep since at least the enlightenment.

Canadian settlement is legally justified by the British Common Law of ‘Terra Nullius’ (empty land); moreover, court cases that have come to pass in these recent decades litigate to what extent indigenous people are indigenous and where they fit into civilization. So what who the people if the land is empty (flora and fauna?)

Essentially, what is taken as a post-colony of the Canadian state (since they are no longer governed by Britain) tries to paternalistically proclaim jurisdiction and responsibility for indigenous nations. This is a huge distortion and an imperial move to forego the Treaty obligations Canadian crown is legally bound to honour. Yet in the court of law we have justices ruling that indigenous peoples are of so low of a society and that their lives are ‘nasty brutish and short’ as does the justice in the relatively recent Delgamuukw case.

The role anthropologists play in testifying on behalf of the crown and invoking the highly salient image of the backward and primitive savage is not much different than those working in the CIA or for any counterinsurgency or imperial agenda.

Of course there have been a few esteemed anthros whose work should be emulated such as:

Sally M. Weaver, Making Canadian Indian Policy: The Hidden Agenda, 1968-1970 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1981).

Non-indigenous people or, settler society, seems quite content to easily say, oh, these are racist images, but what can we do? The real fight is in challenging the longstanding colonial relationship and spirit of these imgages because of their role in invoking what is a myth produces by science and history that is still, today, the faoundation of denying entire nations their Treaty rights; worse, yet, settler society denies themselves the benefits of honouring their Treaty obligations.

What is happening as it happened in 1928, when the County Court of Nova Scotia in R. v. Syliboy rejected applying the international legal principle of a 1752 treaty between the British soveriegn and Mi’kmaq tribes on the grounds that Mi’kmaq were uncivilized persons or savages who did not have the capacity to enter into into the treaties; the grand chief of Mick Macks was originally convicted of unlawful possession of furs contrary to the Nova Scotia Lands and Forests Act).

You can look through these cases. You can read what anthropologists say about a peoples ‘level’ of existence. I dont need to provide a social or historical analysis to make a direct link between these images and the abuse of law to benefit the society that wrote that law.

As Sol Tax said during the Indian Claims Commissions (proceedings set up to help expediate the theft of INdian land) of the 1940′s (just before Congress and the BIA pursued the termination policies of the 50s): Anthropologists have got themselves into a bad spot right now.

Well, anthropology has not dealt with colonialism. It needs to restore honor its ancestors, written out of the history, who did stand up to colonialism such as Sol Tax Robert Thomas.

But whenever you write critically of anthropology in north america these days, everyone is quick to defend the proffession- the science, the objectivity. Or, like Maniaku, make it irrelevant so we dont have to deal with it at all. As Tax said: To resolve an impossible problem one imagines it does not exist.

In recalling Deloria’s critique of anthros in 1969, all kinds of anthros called foul suggesting they never did anything wrong including Leslie White who was deeply disturbed and insulted by Deloria’s critique. Yet, White’s theories of evolution, along with other evolutionary theories, are damaging to indigenous people claims and for no good reason.

Are anthropologists (and others) so obtuse that we cannot see how theorizing an entire nation is so low that, unless they become something that is other than what they are, there is no future for them. And then when states form policies to actualize this annhilation (passed off euphemistically as assimilation) or expediate it, anthropologists sit back and say, “Im a detached, dispassionate scientist”.

It is not enough to start and end with these manifestations, like pocket god, and whether or not they are racist. It is vital, in order to live right in treaty, together, and moving the same direction without each of us destroying the other, to look closely at Treaty and what it means to be a non-indigenous person living on their land (or doing nuclear tests near it).

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]]> By: Sam http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-599282 Sam Sat, 02 May 2009 20:57:50 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-599282 So apparently the game developers have found a fireproof way of responding to charges of racism - "First, we stop calling them Islanders or Pygmies and use a new fictional name: Oogs with the addition of a backstory. Then we remove the Moai and replace it with a fictional octopus (or qudrapus) god statue to be used in a future story." (http://pocketgod.blogspot.com/) At long last, engaged anthropology has actually made a difference. So apparently the game developers have found a fireproof way of responding to charges of racism – “First, we stop calling them Islanders or Pygmies and use a new fictional name: Oogs with the addition of a backstory. Then we remove the Moai and replace it with a fictional octopus (or qudrapus) god statue to be used in a future story.” (http://pocketgod.blogspot.com/) At long last, engaged anthropology has actually made a difference.

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]]> By: Richard http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-599279 Richard Sat, 02 May 2009 20:37:36 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-599279 I think generic brown guy has accidentally hit upon the point. Precisely because no Scot actually identifies themselves in that way, it's not offensive to real Scots. Similarly, if Pacific Islanders don't define themselves in that way, it's unlikely to be offensive. Indeed, they might enjoy playing with the stereotypes themselves. See Father Ted... massively popular in Ireland, but playing on very politically incorrect stereotypes of both Ireland and Irish Catholicism. I think generic brown guy has accidentally hit upon the point. Precisely because no Scot actually identifies themselves in that way, it’s not offensive to real Scots. Similarly, if Pacific Islanders don’t define themselves in that way, it’s unlikely to be offensive. Indeed, they might enjoy playing with the stereotypes themselves.

See Father Ted… massively popular in Ireland, but playing on very politically incorrect stereotypes of both Ireland and Irish Catholicism.

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]]> By: Littlewiiguy http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-599252 Littlewiiguy Sat, 02 May 2009 10:27:26 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-599252 @genericbrownguy: yes that is a lot of rubbish as I have yet to stumble upon anyone to fall into that specific typecast of which you forgot the Ginger hair as most people associate with us Scottish. @genericbrownguy: yes that is a lot of rubbish as I have yet to stumble upon anyone to fall into that specific typecast of which you forgot the Ginger hair as most people associate with us Scottish.

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]]> By: genericbrownguy http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-599251 genericbrownguy Sat, 02 May 2009 10:10:49 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-599251 @littlewiiguy: yeah, and what happened to the good old days when you could get around your iPhone and watch generic kilt-wearing bagpipe-playing uniformed people drinking whiskey, marching in regiments, fighting generic kings with elephants and hunting generic wild cats and having a jolly good laugh about it all? clearly, that's just made up shit, eh? maybe we should have a game where an alien swarm takes over the earth and hunts down earthlings from their saucers, turning them into little fried puddles of goo.. we'd play the aliens, of course.. @littlewiiguy: yeah, and what happened to the good old days when you could get around your iPhone and watch generic kilt-wearing bagpipe-playing uniformed people drinking whiskey, marching in regiments, fighting generic kings with elephants and hunting generic wild cats and having a jolly good laugh about it all?

clearly, that’s just made up shit, eh?

maybe we should have a game where an alien swarm takes over the earth and hunts down earthlings from their saucers, turning them into little fried puddles of goo.. we’d play the aliens, of course..

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]]> By: Littlewiiguy http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-599249 Littlewiiguy Sat, 02 May 2009 08:48:27 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-599249 Pocket God is degrading? Look who's talking. I stand up for what is right in this world and that is certainly not you. What happened to the good old days where people could crowd around your iPhone and watch a few generic islanders on a generic island swimming with the shark and eating coconuts. According to you people as long as sewing prevails over any moral stance then it is ok. You kind of people are the kind of people who throw around now meaningless phrases that previously depicted hatred between society e.g that is racist. If Pocket God is going to go down it won't go down without a fight I assure you there will be war between what is right in this world and what human society has been forced into thinking by people like you. If a petition has to be signed for Pocket God to prevail so help me God I will fly from Scotland just to sign it. If my use of the word 'God' in that previous sentence offended anyone then please do not hesitate to complain to getalife@hotmail.com but don't expect a reply. You kind of people make me sick by ridiculing any one human who actually wants to have fun in this life and transfer that fun to others at the same time. Mankind is slowly degrading to the level of you kind of people but built upon good foundations of those who won't give up fighting like me, a 14 year old man of a Christian background and who is a strong believer in a better world. You had better wish that Apple or any other outside agency doesn't take this further or you will be held 100% responsible. I will lead the charge to a better world where people do not read too much into things and people actually talk to one an other if a problem needs to be resolved. I will lead the charge against people like you for as long as it takes. Pocket God is degrading? Look who’s talking. I stand up for what is right in this world and that is certainly not you. What happened to the good old days where people could crowd around your iPhone and watch a few generic islanders on a generic island swimming with the shark and eating coconuts. According to you people as long as sewing prevails over any moral stance then it is ok. You kind of people are the kind of people who throw around now meaningless phrases that previously depicted hatred between society e.g that is racist. If Pocket God is going to go down it won’t go down without a fight I assure you there will be war between what is right in this world and what human society has been forced into thinking by people like you. If a petition has to be signed for Pocket God to prevail so help me God I will fly from Scotland just to sign it. If my use of the word ‘God’ in that previous sentence offended anyone then please do not hesitate to complain to getalife {at} hotmail(.)com but don’t expect a reply. You kind of people make me sick by ridiculing any one human who actually wants to have fun in this life and transfer that fun to others at the same time. Mankind is slowly degrading to the level of you kind of people but built upon good foundations of those who won’t give up fighting like me, a 14 year old man of a Christian background and who is a strong believer in a better world. You had better wish that Apple or any other outside agency doesn’t take this further or you will be held 100% responsible. I will lead the charge to a better world where people do not read too much into things and people actually talk to one an other if a problem needs to be resolved. I will lead the charge against people like you for as long as it takes.

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]]> By: Kerim http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-599064 Kerim Fri, 01 May 2009 09:41:01 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-599064 They are not publishing about it because of Savage Minds but because of Malakai Koloamatangi at Canterbury University and the Pacific Women's Information Network, both of which have raised objections to the game. It is possible they learned about the game from Savage Minds, but it is also possible they simply own iPhones. They are not publishing about it because of Savage Minds but because of Malakai Koloamatangi at Canterbury University and the Pacific Women’s Information Network, both of which have raised objections to the game. It is possible they learned about the game from Savage Minds, but it is also possible they simply own iPhones.

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]]> By: Tim http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-599039 Tim Fri, 01 May 2009 03:24:00 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-599039 Wow, Kerim you have stirred up the hornets - the mainstream media are "starting to publish":http://news.google.com/news?pz=1&ned=us&cf=all&ncl=1343551968 on this now Wow, Kerim you have stirred up the hornets – the mainstream media are “starting to publish”:http://news.google.com/news?pz=1&ned=us&cf=all&ncl=1343551968 on this now

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]]> By: Mark http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-598895 Mark Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:58:28 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-598895 I believe the game is inadvertently racist, but I don't really blame anyone for not noticing. I come from a PI background (Tongan), and even in Australia it is not uncommon for someone to not even know where or what Tonga is. People outside of the islands generally don't know a great deal (or anything) about our history and cultures, so when a game like this is released, I don't think they can connect the dots between fantasy and reality. Sure, it's all just fantasy. But they are fantasies based on stereotypes of reality. Any Pacific Islander can see this. Whether or not we're offended (on an individual basis) is irrelevant. I can't say I find it hugely offensive in itself, though I can easily see how other PIs could find it very insulting. Mistakes made in ignorance can't really be attacked. However, I do find it disturbing that the developers (and many others) can't seem to see how it could be offensive. Why can't the developer admit that they made a bad judgment call and make some simple changes? Get rid of the Moai... get creative and create characters that don't follow the racist stereotypes. I can however see the difference between the game and examples people are describing (e.g. the plantation game concepts, etc) in that Pocket God isn't actually based on true events, so can be dismissed as less racist. But what if we take an unfair stereotype based on nothing more than fantasy and compare that? For example, I'm sure we could agree a game would be racist if the main character is a dark skinned man with afro hair, a FUBU shirt and loose jeans, an exaggerated big nose and lips, constantly making remarks like "I luurrrve chicken!" whilst on a mission to eat as much fried chicken (found in places that look strikingly similar to KFC) and watermelons as possible. Now someone can easily state "We never claimed that the character was African American. He's purely fictional", but those who know of African American stereotypes can obviously see through that statement. Why is Pocket God any less racist than this? Sure it doesn't directly say "Hey! These are Western Samoans/Easter Islanders/Fijians/Raros/etc", but placing a Maoi in the background and making them look like racist stereotypes really does throw the 'fictional character' argument out the window. In my eyes, the developers did inadvertently base their characters on real stereotypes and they really should make changes (it would be mainly aesthetic changes... I work in game development so I know it's fairly, easily do-able). Though I do believe the Pacific Islander population globally is so tiny (e.g. Tonga's total population is less than 130K) that it won't be heard. It won't be the first or last time they've been ignored. I believe the game is inadvertently racist, but I don’t really blame anyone for not noticing. I come from a PI background (Tongan), and even in Australia it is not uncommon for someone to not even know where or what Tonga is.
People outside of the islands generally don’t know a great deal (or anything) about our history and cultures, so when a game like this is released, I don’t think they can connect the dots between fantasy and reality.
Sure, it’s all just fantasy. But they are fantasies based on stereotypes of reality. Any Pacific Islander can see this. Whether or not we’re offended (on an individual basis) is irrelevant.

I can’t say I find it hugely offensive in itself, though I can easily see how other PIs could find it very insulting. Mistakes made in ignorance can’t really be attacked. However, I do find it disturbing that the developers (and many others) can’t seem to see how it could be offensive. Why can’t the developer admit that they made a bad judgment call and make some simple changes? Get rid of the Moai… get creative and create characters that don’t follow the racist stereotypes.

I can however see the difference between the game and examples people are describing (e.g. the plantation game concepts, etc) in that Pocket God isn’t actually based on true events, so can be dismissed as less racist.
But what if we take an unfair stereotype based on nothing more than fantasy and compare that? For example, I’m sure we could agree a game would be racist if the main character is a dark skinned man with afro hair, a FUBU shirt and loose jeans, an exaggerated big nose and lips, constantly making remarks like “I luurrrve chicken!” whilst on a mission to eat as much fried chicken (found in places that look strikingly similar to KFC) and watermelons as possible. Now someone can easily state “We never claimed that the character was African American. He’s purely fictional”, but those who know of African American stereotypes can obviously see through that statement.
Why is Pocket God any less racist than this? Sure it doesn’t directly say “Hey! These are Western Samoans/Easter Islanders/Fijians/Raros/etc”, but placing a Maoi in the background and making them look like racist stereotypes really does throw the ‘fictional character’ argument out the window.

In my eyes, the developers did inadvertently base their characters on real stereotypes and they really should make changes (it would be mainly aesthetic changes… I work in game development so I know it’s fairly, easily do-able).
Though I do believe the Pacific Islander population globally is so tiny (e.g. Tonga’s total population is less than 130K) that it won’t be heard. It won’t be the first or last time they’ve been ignored.

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]]> By: James http://savageminds.org/2009/04/18/pocket-god/comment-page-2/#comment-598649 James Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:20:50 +0000 http://savageminds.org/?p=1850#comment-598649 All teasing aside, you are the one who brought up land claims. We could go further into the absurdity of land claims whereby the original nations of north america try to pursue their title in a foreign system of law (again, colonialism in action today). However, I am a bit surprised by the instance that since pocket god referes to a specific group of indigenous people, we are unable to address issues of indigenous representation beyond it(?) and get at what I suggest is the bigger problem: why this form of racism exists in the first place and our role in it? All teasing aside, you are the one who brought up land claims. We could go further into the absurdity of land claims whereby the original nations of north america try to pursue their title in a foreign system of law (again, colonialism in action today).

However, I am a bit surprised by the instance that since pocket god referes to a specific group of indigenous people, we are unable to address issues of indigenous representation beyond it(?) and get at what I suggest is the bigger problem: why this form of racism exists in the first place and our role in it?

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