Week 9 - You no mess with Lo Wang!

Christina Klein’s (2004) article on the effects of globalization on the US and Asian film industries is quite an intriguing one. It highlights those intersecting cultures and their effects that flow on through and back to each country. While Klein (2004) focuses on the film industries, I have decided to focus on the flow on effect that this has had on the video game industry as well. As we’ve progressed through the ALC215 we have learned of the increased impact of the video game industry as an entertainment business. Just two weeks ago Grandof Theft Auto V  became the fastest selling entertainment product in history, eclipsing previous records set by box office juggernauts like Harry Potter and The Avengers.  With figures like 800 million dollars in 24 hours it’s clear that video games are big business.

Source: Google Images

While Klein (2004) highlights Asian influences on films such as 1999’s TheMatrix, from my own experience I recall a popular title that released in 1998 called Shadow Warrior. This title was a clear satire of many popular Asian stereotypes and featured references to anime and other pop culture, particularly surrounding Japan. At the time perhaps I was too young to notice, but notably this game attracted a lot of controversy for what some people felt were unhelpful depictions of Asian culture. This was particularly evident in a lot of the character dialogue spouted by lead character named Lo Wang.  The name in and of itself is a double entendre but lines such as “Ah better than acupuncture” or  “Two Wang’s are better than one” are used frequently. Sze-Fai Shui (2006) discusses the controversy that surrounded this title upon its release, describing a letter written to a popular video gaming magazine decrying the titles unrealistic depiction of Asian culture.

Even still this title was considered quite a hit for its time and a reboot for the title was released just last week. Reviews have been very positive for this title, and without exception every one that I have watched or read have mentioned a huge reduction in the perceived racist content in this title. Lo Wang’s personality is still as abrasive as ever but the double entendre’s and lines have been toned down dramatically. Similar to week 7’s discussion of Lara Croft it seems modern reboots that focus on maturing their lead characters are having great success when they focus on improving the core gameplay rather than exaggerated characters.

Cultural influences are inherently built in to many entertainment mediums and it is interesting to see the different reactions to these cultures. 

References

Klein, C 2004, ‘Martial arts and globalization of US and Asian film industries’, Comparative America Studies, vol.2, no.3, pp.360-384.

Sze-Fae Shiu, A 2006, ‘What yellowface hides: video games, whiteness, and the American racial order’, The Journal of Popular Culture, vol.39, no.1, 109-125.