A STUDY ON RACIST VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION ON DIGITAL GAME PLATFORM

Abstract

In the modern world, individuals may be subjected to racist violence and marginalization in various contexts due to their diverse identities. Especially in the United States of America (USA), after the second half of the twentieth century, marginalization and racist violence against black people became one of the priority issues to be solved. Today, however, in the most influential areas of cultural production in the US, one can find products that magnify the loss of global image caused by this de facto situation. In this respect, this study examines the construction processes of marginalization against black people in digital games, which are understood as cultural carriers. Accordingly, in the study shaped within the framework of the issue of racist violence and marginalization against black people in digital game narratives; Resident Evil 5, Grand Theft Auto, Far Cry 3, Call of Juarez, Mafia 3 and Red Dead Redemption, a total of six games were taken as a sample. These games were examined through data collection, content analysis, and comparative analysis methods, focusing on recurring character types, genre preferences, and thematic patterns within their dramatic narratives. The findings reveal that digital games have an important role in the processes of shaping gender roles, ethnic, religious or class identities, and labeling groups or individuals described as the other. Consequently, it is concluded that digital games are not only products for entertainment purposes, but also cultural texts supported by various ideological codes.