Can a developer occasionally flaunt his or her political or social beliefs?

[FutureExile]

After thinking a bit about some of the current mess that is going on with videogames, I know that many of you here don't like it when someone tries to enforce some rigid standard of what appropriate and what isn't on this medium.

But I wonder if you are willing to tolerate a developer who is more or less open about where he or she lies on the political spectrum?

The first talented creative figure I can think of who is open about his or her beliefs is Alan Moore. Of course, you would probably agree that Alan Moore has actual talent and years of experience, such that the inclusion of his beliefs into the story actually enriches it.

Of course. My two favorite writers are Vladimir Nabokov and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Both were very open about their political beliefs but had nearly opposite opinions on the matter. But I love both of their works. I don't see why game designers should be any different.
What I don't like is the current trend of stifling debate and belittling the motives and character of large segments of the gaming community. Even if you agree with many of the criticisms of traditional gaming culture - and, personally, I do - I am not a fan of ideological purity tests and closed-mindedness. It's a kind of cult-like sickness that is, in any case, self-defeating for those very people advocating change. When warranted, honest criticism is fine. Constant sermonizing is not.

 

[DrOswald]

Can they? Of course.

Should they? probably. Let there be ten thousand voices. Open discussion allows us to progress.

Is it wise too? Not if they want to keep developing games. We have made it very dangerous for a professional to voice opinions and political views. If you don't toe the line you might find yourself out of a job, and even if you do you are probably turning off a large portion of your potential user base.

 

[Callate]

Being a developer doesn't mean you suddenly stop being a human being, or that you're suddenly shallower than a typical video game character. Of course you can still have political beliefs. But you should be aware that your audience might not share them, and if your treatment of the subject is particularly heavy-handed within the context of your game, you can expect to receive some push-back.

(That's "push-back", mind you. Not "threats to bomb you house". That's not okay.)

 

[Andy Shandy]

Of course they can. They should realise that it can have repercussions for them however, particularly if they are to the extreme.

And by repercussions I don't mean threatening them in various ways, I just mean I won't buy their game, or something like that. Or sarcastically make a joke about it on Twitter.

 

[Erttheking]

I thought the main view that lot of people had for this that artistic vision shouldn't allowed to be compromised. This website is confusing sometimes.

Anyway, I say they should be allowed to, but I'll call them out on it if they do it poorly.

 

[Vault101]

EVERY story will frame an issue a certain way, that's a given

it gets annoying when you're really obvious about it and get preachy

for example I feel like Sci fi Author David Weber reeeeeaaaaally hates dole bludgers....which is fine, but I don't care and it gets in the way of the story

 

[krazykidd]

They can, but I really don't think they should. If their personal political beliefs have nothing to do with their job then they have no business flaunting them and doing so gives them no benefit. They have nothing to gain and everything to lose from flaunting their political or social beliefs because doing so can instantly alienate a portion of their audience, so just from an economical standpoint it seems pointless.

Like I said, they're free to do whatever they want, but if they're smart they'll keep their mouths shut about their political and social opinions because they have nothing to gain from stating them.

Is political and social opinions a thing to be ashamed of?

OT: people just like to hate those who believe things opposite of them. If you believe something, for whatever reason , you should not be ashamed, ever. Especially if you are an adult.

 

[Ihateregistering1]

You CAN voice your opinion on whatever you want (or find a way to work said opinion into games you create), you just have to be willing to run the risk of potentially alienating people who might take issue with, or be downright hostile to, your views. A developer with a lot of clout could probably do this without the lead company putting a stop to it, but a newbie would probably be shot down by the powers that be.

 

[SacremPyrobolum]

Generally, I believe that wearing your political beliefs on your sleeve can only ultimately lead to bad things. There is no reason to potentially alienate people for no reason before you open your mouth if you can help it.

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

They can, but I really don't think they should. If their personal political beliefs have nothing to do with their job then they have no business flaunting them and doing so gives them no benefit. They have nothing to gain and everything to lose from flaunting their political or social beliefs because doing so can instantly alienate a portion of their audience, so just from an economical standpoint it seems pointless.

Like I said, they're free to do whatever they want, but if they're smart they'll keep their mouths shut about their political and social opinions because they have nothing to gain from stating them.

Is political and social opinions a thing to be ashamed of?

OT: people just like to hate those who believe things opposite of them. If you believe something, for whatever reason , you should not be ashamed, ever. Especially if you are an adult.

It's not about being ashamed, it's about having the maturity to know that sometimes the best thing to say is nothing at all.

 

[StriderShinryu]

A developer is always welcome to flaunt their socio-political beliefs both in their creations as well as in whatever other media they so choose. They aren't, however, ever going to be above being judged by those beliefs. It's the same as with any where else in life and with any other profession. Free speech may allow you to say what you want (within what is considered legal, of course0 but it doesn't mean you can do so without consequence.

 

[krebons12]

After thinking a bit about some of the current mess that is going on with videogames, I know that many of you here don't like it when someone tries to enforce some rigid standard of what appropriate and what isn't on this medium.

But I wonder if you are willing to tolerate a developer who is more or less open about where he or she lies on the political spectrum?

The first talented creative figure I can think of who is open about his or her beliefs is Alan Moore. Of course, you would probably agree that Alan Moore has actual talent and years of experience, such that the inclusion of his beliefs into the story actually enriches it.

I'm perfectly willing to tolerate a developer giving their political beliefs. It's not my place at ALL to tell them whether or not they are allowed to say something just because they are developers. They can say whatever they please, and I won't stop them.

However, if they say something that goes to a certain extreme, say (though I'm not sure if hes a developer, my point stands) Doug TenNapel, I don't feel I'm willing to support them by buying their product. It simply wouldn't feel right to me to send money/support to someone who's values I extremely disagree with.

And while maybe the question meant "would you tolerate it enough to still buy their games despite their beliefs" tolerance to me means; I disapprove of what you say, but I shall not confiscate your megaphone. Sadly with me, an artists personality is just as important as his art.

Since this is giving money to them for their product, I cannot give my coin with the knowledge that it is going to someone who is open with what they believe, that I in this case am openly against, and most likely then fights very hard to support it. Just sorta feels like donating ammunition to the opposing army, you know?

This probably will just seem like random rambling to everyone else who reads it XD

 

[BreakfastMan]

Yes, they absolutely should. Much of the most interesting, best art is created by people with strong beliefs. Entire genres, like fucking punk rock, black metal, science fiction, or dadaism were created by people who had incredibly strong beliefs that they sought to express through their art. Some of the best and most influential games of all time, like Bioshock, Braid, and Metal Gear Solid, have creators with strong beliefs that express those beliefs through art. To suggest that they shouldn't is sheer stupidity.

 

[TheRiddler]

The first talented creative figure I can think of who is open about his or her beliefs is Alan Moore. Of course, you would probably agree that Alan Moore has actual talent and years of experience, such that the inclusion of his beliefs into the story actually enriches it.

Well, I suppose, but that really depends on whether you can agree with (or at least relate with) the things he's saying. And on the flip side of that is Frank Miller... and I feel like the general consensus is that his work is [i/]way[/i] better when he's not injecting his social and religious views into it.

OT: Can they? Sure. But they've got to understand that this means connecting their work to real world issues with serious real world baggage. And that they run the risk of the sociopolitical aspect of their work being the only one that people can really see.

In short, they can do it, but they should be aware that they're playing with fire.

 

[CaptainCoxwaggle]

Yes, so long as they are open and tolerant of alternative viewpoints and are fine with being labelled an ignorant jackass.

This means not automatically assuming your ideology is the one true ideology and everyone else are Nazi fascists (whom should also have their political views treated with respect even if we disagree with it)

 

[Madame_Lawliet]

I think so, infact I think more of them should.
If video games are art then we need to treat them like ART.
Art is not safe.
Art is not neutral.
Art is often formed from the political and social beliefs of the artist.
If an artist is prevented or otherwise prevents themselves from expressing their ideals through their art, then it ceases to be their art, atleast not to the fullest extent it might have been.

Honestly, I think the lack of developers who are willing to put their money where their mouth is and actually make a game that reflects their ideals in an interesting way is a big part of why this medium's growth as an art form has been so stunted in general.

AND I think that "gamers" demanding that devs keep politics out of their games is a toxic attitude that needs to end if this medium is ever going to get anywhere.
I know some people are worried that it might create games that have messages they don't fully agree with or don't approve of but... that's how art works.

Sometimes a work of art is just not for you, and sometimes you just don't like it.

 

[veloper]

Developers may create games with political messages in them all the time and even include extreme viewpoints, as far as I'm concerned.

Suppose if they go nazi, then I simply won't play the game (and the game would also get banned in some places like Germany), but freedom of speech is one of the great civil rights and also the one that carries only the tiniest of potential risks.

Of course everyone else will also be free to point and laugh at other people's stupid political views.

To be able to figure out where another person stands can only ever help and it's made easier when that information is volunteered by that person.

Also, I enjoy edgy stuff when I'm in the mood for it.

 

[nightmare_gorilla]

it's like everything else right? movies and books and tv shows and hell all media we consume contains political arguments couched within said medium. movies and books are probably the most prominent example. I don't see it as being wrong to do. but like with everything else nobody likes to be bludgeoned with an agenda or story point.

 

[Fireaxe]

I think, to an extent, Ken Levine shows a degree of political belief in his work, Levine is intelligent enough to present a fairly accurate slice (albeit sometimes through caricatures of both sides) but he definitely smacks down the nostalgia blinded depictions of the past that are mostly held by right wing political groups such as the tea party.

 

[Eve Charm]

They can but if it is anything other then "Normal" they shouldn't. Shadow Complex I'd say is probably the best hands down XBLA Arcade game to come out, But it came under fire because of the writer used money to fund an Anti-gay marriage campaign in Utah. With all the talks of boycotts and sales that were lost on it because of people's moral believes, A great game could have been ruined because One person's believes that worked on it.