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Permission granted by author for anyone to distribute this
writing free of charge (including translation into any
language)...under condition that no profit is made therefrom,
and that it remain intact and complete, including title and
credit to the original author.
Ezekiel J. Krahlin
http://surf.to/gaybible
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COMPUTER GAMES: RACIST & HOMOPHOBIC
© 1997 by Ezekiel J. Krahlin
(Jehovah's Queer Witness)
August 12, 1994
Dear Editor,
Like many in our community these days, I am an active
participant of several computerized bulletin board services
(BBS's)...most of which are linked as a global electronic
network. A BBS then, provides an excellent forum for
challenging sterotyped views that many folks still have,
including the lesbian/gay issue (of course). And: what you
have to say is often disseminated to hundreds (perhaps
thousands) of BBS's across the country and around the world!
I would like to share an irate response I posted on a
local BBS, regarding the issue of software games' lack of
queer-awareness; and of social responsibility in general.
Readers are encouraged to disseminate duplicates of this
message to bulletin board services (or any other
services/organizations/people) of their choice. I also hope
that my computerized message will inspire other
gays/lesbians/trans-genders/queers (etc.) to use the global
electronic network as a tool of empowerment for every
individual to make a stand for civil (or any other) rights
that s/he deems fit. And you don't even need the approval,
funds, or cooperation of any organization to do this!
Sincerely,
Ezekiel Krahlin
(Now here's the BBS message...)
==============================================================
BBS: Golden Gate Computer Society
Date: 08-11-94 (19:35) Number: 116
From: EZEKIEL KRAHLIN Refer#: NONE
To: DANNY Recvd: NO
Subj: EPIC, loosen up! Conf: (116) Shareware
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DT> Our hero Jazz is on a mission to save bunny babe Eva
DT> Earlong, and he'll go up against a cast of thousands
DT> of enemies in order to save his girl.
DT>
DT> * Gorgeous PRO cartoon animation!
DT> * Jazz's BONUS STAGE features ultra high-tech 3D
DT> graphics!
DT> * Find ultra-cool weapons, such as the Bouncy Bullets
DT> * 60 frames-per-second scrolling. Whoa boy, this is
DT> FAST!
DT> * A truly rocking soundtrack!
Is his girl really worth saving? what about his guy?
......................................................
Danny, in addressing you, I also address the
company you represent (EPIC), and, by logical
extension, all computer game companies. So please
do not take any of this as a direct attack upon
yourself (which it certainly is not). This is
something I've been meaning to say for some time
now...I was only waiting for the right time to say
it...and reading your message provides me with
that opportunity.
......................................................
Danny, I'm sure the special effects are as sensational as you
claim (for I have played Epic games before). But I am soooo
tired at the assumed heterosexual role-playing foisted upon
the world, by these computer games. C'mon and wake up to the
21st century! Why not give us some CHARACTER OPTIONS such as
GAY OR LESBIAN PLAYERS?
AND WHY STOP THERE? Can't Epic give us *other character
options to choose from in, say, a menu of chocies?
As a gay male, I am NOT INTERESTED in chasing after a blonde
bimbo heroine. And if you do (finally) respect your gay
audience, don't limit us to blond-haired, blue eyed same-sex
amours. Respect people of color: Give us black people,
brown people, red, yellow, etc., as well as white and pink!
Give us green eyes, black eyes, brown eyes, amber eyes, hazel
eyes, etc.! GIVE US A GAY MENU OF CHARACTER OPTIONS!!!
And as a culturally aware citizen of planet earth, I also
demand: PUT IN YOUR GAMES: CHARACTER OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE OF
COLOR, FOR DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUPS, FOR BI-, HOMO-, AS WELL
AS HETERO-, SEXUAL PREFERENCES, AND FOR DIFFERENT RELIGIONS
AND WORLD VIEWS...WHEN APPROPRIATE. STOP LIMITING YOUR GAMES
TO A WHITE HETEROSEXUAL (MALE-DOMINANT) WORLD! CEASE USING
COMPUTER GAMES AS A VEHICLE FOR PERPETUATING SOME VERY
NARROW-MINDED, UGLY, HATEFUL, AND VIOLENT PERCEPTIONS ON
LIFE...EVEN IF INADVERTANT AND/OR SUBLIMINAL.
And if you rebel against my request, which is only benevolent
and sane, then I ask you: WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? (And if
you say, "Lighten up, it's only a game," I still ask: "Who
do you think you are?")
I'll even bet that the first computer game companies (and/or
shareware authors!) that do catch on to the concept I state
herein, will really cash in by providing a MULTICULTURAL or
MULTIETHNIC menu of choices. Why don't you, EPIC, be the
first? I will now quote that part of your message, Danny,
that includes the addresses of EPIC game software. For I
suggest that all concerned parties send them a copy of my
response (or a personalized equivalent) through one or more
of the e-mail addresses listed below. I FURTHER SUGGEST THAT
ALL CONCERNED/INSPIRED PARTIES SEND A COPY OF MY RESPONSE (OR
YOUR OWN PERSONALIZED EQUIVALENT) TO OTHER COMPUTER GAME
COMPANIES AS WELL! My message I consider public domain, for
anyone to copy and distribute anywhere else, to anyone else.
If you are too busy to compose your own thoughts on this
matter, please by all means feel free to copy this message
verbatim and send it off to the computer game outfits of your
choice...and to any other bulletin board services.
DT> For complete up-to-date info on Epic, we invite everyone
DT> out there to subscribe to our Meganews on-line newsletter,
DT> here's how:
DT>
DT> Send Email to Epic at: 70007.1631@compuserve.com
DT> To subscribe, say: "Add me to your list!"
DT> To unsubscribe, say: "Remove me from your list!"
DT>
DT> CompuServe: GO EPIC Orders: 800-972-7434
DT> Internet FTP: ftp.uml.edu Tech support: 301-983-9771
DT> Exec-PC BBS: 414-789-4360 Fax: 301-299-3841
DT>
DT> Also - don't forget to visit us on CompuServe - GO EPIC.
DT> You'll be able to download Jazz totally FREE on
DT> CompuServe for the month of August. GO EPIC for details
DT> about the Game of the Month.
DT>
DT> Try the PC Clubhouse BBS of Oakland (510) 530-5592
DT> official dist BBS.
Thank you, Danny, for the inspiration! I'm sure that it is
otherwise a very cute and exciting game...albeit unabashedly
hetero (hmmm...does the *rabbit theme hold further nuances?).
But in this very troubled, strife-ridden and shrinking world
of immense population...I believe it is definitely time for
EPIC (and all other game manufacturers) to incorporate social
ethics with whatever products they present to the
world...especially to impressionable youth. And isn't that
for whom these games are geared? If EPIC doesn't want to
eventually be regarded in a similar light as Joe Camel...then
please consider my appeal for sanity and conscientious
responsibility. Your very hot, appealing games could also
become a visionary tool for opening children's minds to the
wonderful mix of people this world truly is. Think how proud
you'd become of your craft, and the example you'd set!
---
SLMR 2.1a - Golden Gate Computer Soc.: San Rafael, CA
HOW ABOUT IT, EPIC?
(Click on picture to teleport.)
---finis