Common Mexican Culture Used In Video Games
"Culture is a configuration of learned behaviors and results of behavior whose component elements are shared and transmitted by the members of a particular society(Linton, 1945)."
Regarding the list of games utilized for this thesis, I focused primarily on playthatgame. playthatgame was picked because it took approximately 3000 best of games lists to compile one massive metalist of the finest video games of all time. (Play That Game, n.d.). This list was purposefully picked since the games stretch from the 1980s through the 2020s. I decided to narrow it even further to the point where the game had to indicate that the setting, or character, was in Mexico or that the locale was highly inspired by Mexican culture.
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I then asked players which of these characters makes them feel most represented in media, followed by a question asking which of these characters makes them feel least represented in media.
Sombra
Mani
King The Second
Luisa Fortuna
Frida The Bride
T-Hawk
Catalina
King
Cesar Vialpando
El Fuerte
Pedro Garcia
Martin Madrazo
Raul Tejada
Ogre
Abraham Reyes
Rosa
Manuel Calavera
Vicente De Santa
El Ammo Bandito
Masked Fury
Video Game Locations
Tostarenan
Dynamo
Sombra - Overwatch 2
Background
Sombra, who is considered one of the most infamous hackers in the world, employs information to control those in positions of authority. While she investigates a mysterious worldwide plot, she has aligned herself with Talon and is taking advantage of their resources to achieve her own objectives.(Overwatch 2, n.d.)
Olivia Colomar, before she was renamed Sombra, was one of the few orphans remaining following the omnic crisis. She was a natural when it came to hacking computers, therefore she did it to stay alive. She was then taken in by the Los Muertos gang, who thought that rebuilding Mexico favored the wealthy while leaving the poor alone. She was taken by surprise one day and was compelled to remove all evidence of her identity.
She was taken by surprise one day and was compelled to remove all evidence of her identity.
She eventually had cybernetic enhancements to her spinal cord and brain, and Sombra was born on that day. With her latest improvements, she can now manipulate any type of technology at the flick of her hand.
Sombra is highly deceitful and intelligent, always utilizing her knowledge to her advantage. When the situation calls for it, she is highly calculated and not hesitant to manipulate people to obtain what she wants. In battle, Sombra comes out as confident and brave, occasionally arrogant and sassy, and slightly sarcastic.
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Design
Sombra from Overwatch has a distinct cyberpunk-style design. She wears a fitted purple and black bodysuit with a high collar, gloves, and boots, all of which have intricate circuitry designs. Her outfit also includes a distinctive translocator device on her left wrist that allows her to teleport short distances, and a hacking tool attached to her right wrist.
The Aztecs thought the eagle to be the sun's emblem, and hence the Aztec Eagle warriors were sun soldiers. On top of Sombra is an eagle helmet, which is officially utilized by the Eagle warriors. Aztec ladies of aristocracy would adorn themselves with jewels. They wore gold bangles, rings, earrings, chokers, necklaces, and other pieces of jewelry. Sandals are worn, which indicated grandeur in the Aztec civilisation. Her waist armor is made of quilted cotton called Ichcahipilli, which is armor that has been bathed in salt water brine and hung up to dry so that the salt crystallizes.
Overall, Sombra's Aztec skin incorporates elements of Aztec art and culture,
This was launched during the 2018 Overwatch Summer Games event. Mexico's national team's jersey greatly influences the skin.
La Catrina, a figure created by Mexican cartoonist Jose Guadalupe Posada who has become the most iconic symbol for death itself, is a popular costume for ladies. To commemorate the Day of the Dead, they would frequently paint their faces and bodies to look like skeletons or sugar skulls.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinion on the way the character is designed
Based on the responses, this is a mild portrayal. Because Sombra's character design does not shout "Mexican," one would not assume that she was from Mexico with the way that she is designed.
What people have said about Sombra
T-Hawk - Street Fighter 4
Background
The Shadolu group, lead by M.Bison, took T-motherland. He was able to settle in a Mexican community after being pushed out of his reservation in America. He was able to reclaim his nation after entering the World Warrior tournament and defeating Bison. T-Hawk is an American Native, and his fighting style reflects this. Mexican Typhoon, Tomahawk Buster, Condor Diver, and Condor Spire are among of his moves. He is the first Mexican representation in the Street Fighter series, and his debut game was Super Street Fighter 2. His stage is Hospicio Cabañas, which is based on a real-life site in Guadalajara, Mexico.
In the games T. Hawk is often courageous, tough, unselfish, noble-spirited, focused, and fearless, yet he may also be surly, cold, harsh, unemotional, and seemingly unsympathetic. His lack of feeling stems mostly from M. Bison's infliction of agony and devastation on his people and sacred homelands.
David Vincent is an American Actor who voices T-Hawk.
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Design
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T-Hawk wears a denim vest and pants, iron bracers covering both forearms and steel armbands around his biceps, a cowboy-style brown leather belt with a buckle and metal decorative tokens, moccasin boots, and a blue and white triangular patterned headband with a pair of white eagle feathers with the end tip being red.
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Tribes from the United States, such as the Apache and Navajo, inspire his design.
A skin available for purchase in Super Street Fighter 4. This skin is mainly influenced by the Aztec Eagle Warrior, a type of elite fighter in the Aztec military.
A skin available for purchase in Super Street Fighter 4. The design of this skin is primarily influenced by Aztec culture.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
Even though T-Hawk is meant to be the first representation of a Mexican character inside of Street Fighter series. A majority of the responded have said that T-Hawk is designed towards a more Native American design rather that a Mexican design with the way T-Hawk looks.
What people have said about T-Hawk
King - Tekken
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Background
King is a mysterious masked wrestler. He is a wonderful young man who usually takes in orphans. As he puts on his mask, he transforms into an extraordinarily powerful masked wrestler that no one can stop. He is participating in the competition to raise cash for an orphanage. He was formerly an orphan who a kind family adopted (Namco, n.d.).
Design
King is a luchador that wears a Jaguar mask. He is designed in a luchador attire with his pants being made by spandex, with black pro wrestling boots, black shin guards, gloves representing jaguar hand, gray arm guards, and a tail to fit his jaguar look.
Inspiration
Fray Tormenta
Fray Tormenta is Mexicos wrestling catholic priest. Tormenta decided to become a wrestler because he did it to raise money to support an orphanage. When he is not in the ring or caring for the children, he is simply an average priest (Fox,1998). Kings backstory is heavily inspired by Fray Tormenta.
Tiger Mask
Satoru Sayama is a Japanese professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, MMA, wrestling promoter, and writer best known as the original Tiger Mask. Kings' design is heavily inspired by Tiger Mask (Slagle,2020).
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
Those who believe King represents them have stated that King is a compassionate guy since he is fighting for his life in order to take care of orphans by winning the tournament's prize money. According to the bar graph above, King is a little bit mixed; the majority of them say he matches their culture because in the game he is a luchador and lucha libre is part of Mexican culture, while the rest do not.
What people have said about T-Hawk
What people have said about King
El Fuerte - Street Fighter 4
Background
El Fuerte spends his time honing his lucha libre talents and improving his culinary skills. He traverses the world in search of the best dishes on earth. He is is a hyperactive, highly excited combatant who continuously muses out loud about new recipes, even during combat. He regularly draws inspiration from other fighters he encounters because of their diverse origins from across the world, much to the chagrin of some but greatly to the delight of others. His cooking yields conflicting outcomes (Street Fighter IV Prima Official Game Guide, n.d.). Tepache Bomb, Chili Mexicano, Tostada Press, Fajita Buster, Quesadilla Bomb, and Guacamole Leg Throw are just some of the moves that El Fuerte uses while fighting which are inspired by Mexican dishes.
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Design
He's dressed in traditional luchador attire, with black elbow pads on his arms and a gold belt around his waist. He's dressed in white button-up pants that resemble a chef's uniform and white-laced wrestling booths with golden soles. His mask is white, much like the rest of his outfit.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
From the bar graph on top, a majority of the people agree that El Fuerte takes part in their culture. El Fuerte is heavily inspired by luchadores which are very popular in Mexico and it kinda makes sense as the second person to represent Mexico would be a Luchador.
What people have said about El Fuerte.
Martin Madrazo - Grand Theft Auto 5
Design
Martin Madrazo wears expensive and stylish clothing that includes a blue suit, and a white shirt. He also wears brown shoes.
Background
Within Grand Theft Auto 5, Martin Madrazo is a cartel leader. He is classified as a psychopath due to his quick temper and merciless methods of dealing with anyone who offends him in any manner. Madrazo likes to publicly and often reminds those around him of his psychopathic tendencies and takes pleasure in having others fear him. His treatment of his wife and numerous encounters with other women suggests that he may be misogynistic. The player first discovers Madrazo after accidentally destroying his home as a result of an affair. Madrazo demands that the player pays for the damages, and once the debt is paid, Madrazo asks the player to do a task for him, which is to assassinate his cousin since he is about to testify against Madrazo in court.
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How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
According to the bar graph above, the majority of respondents believe that the way Martin Madrazo is designed in Grand Theft Auto 5 is average, because he is not designed in your normal Mexican outfit but as someone dressed in your everyday attire.
What people have said about Martin Madrazo.
Mani - Grand Theft Auto 5
Background
Mani is a Mexican character from Grand Theft Auto 5. When approached, he speaks exclusively in Spanish to the player and the onlookers. Mani discusses his unhappiness with being ignored by everyone around him and the threats he receives in the game due to being Mexican. Inside the game, he is desperate to seek work as an actor.
Design
Mani is dressed in traditional Mariachi attire. Mani is dressed traditionally as a mariachi, wearing a sombrero with an embroidered bolero jacket.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
According to the bar graph above, the majority of respondents agree that the design of Mani in Grand Theft Auto 5 is true to their culture. But even in Mexico, people dress up in mariachi clothes, and there is a plaza entirely dedicated to mariachis.
What people have said about Mani.
Raul Tejada - Fallout New Vegas
Background
Raul Alfonso Tejada is a mechanic and gunslinger from Mexico that was taken as a prisoner.​
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Born in 2047 on Hidalgo Ranch outside Mexico City, Raul was a troublesome youth despite his family's efforts to keep him in line. When refugees arrived after the bombs fell, the Tejadas helped them until their supplies ran out. That night, the ranch was burned down, but Raul managed to save himself and his sister. They became scavengers in Mexico City, but Raul was slowly turning into a ghoul due to radiation exposure. After his sister was killed by raiders, Raul hunted down and killed all those responsible.
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Leaving his past behind, he heads to the Gulf Coast and finds shelter at a Petro Chico refinery, donning a jumpsuit with a nametag reading "Miguel." He adopts this new identity and eventually leaves the refinery to settle in Arizona, working as a mechanic and handyman. There he befriends Claudia, a local prostitute who reminds him of his sister, and takes on a protective role in her life.
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Arizona's peace was shattered when Dirty Dave and his six brothers arrived in town seeking ammunition, which Raul hoped to sell and see them leave. However, they attacked a local brothel, killing four women and abducting Claudia. Raul tracked them down, but he found Claudia dead. In the ensuing fight, he killed the brothers but suffered serious injuries.
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Raul heads west to Nevada and constructs a simple dwelling. He enjoys listening to the radio until his favorite station abruptly goes silent. In his attempt to discover why, he gets captured.
Design
Raul wears a green Petro Chico jumpsuit that he found while he was staying in the Petro Chico Refinery.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
Based on the bar graph presented, it can be observed that visually, most of the respondents disagree with the notion that Raul does not align with their culture. However, among those who have expressed their views about the character, it can be noted that they consider Raul to be the most average and representative depiction of a Mexican.
What people have said about Raul
Catalina - Grand Theft Auto 3
Background
Catalina is represented in Grand Theft Auto 3 as a mentally unstable woman with psychopathic tendencies, self-centeredness, a tendency to be destructive and reckless, and a tendency to be self-centered and hotheaded.
Her temper is exceptionally short, and she can quickly become angry in a matter of seconds. She frequently resorts to insulting and verbally abusing those who are close to her, showing no regard for almost anyone other than herself.
Design
In terms of design, Catalina is portrayed as an oversexualized Latina, which perpetuates a stereotype. She is depicted wearing a black jacket, black tank top, black pants, and black shoes. Her hair is styled in a ponytail.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
The bar graph shows that a majority of the respondents ranked Catalina somewhere in the middle in terms of her significance in their culture. However, when describing her appearance, many respondents either viewed her as a typical non-playable character or felt that her design made her look like a Chola.
What people have said about Catalina
Cesar Vialpando - Grand Theft Auto San Andreas
Background
Cesar Vialpando, who happens to be Catalina's cousin, possesses an attitude that contrasts with hers. In Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, he is portrayed as a kind, loyal, caring, and selfless individual. However, his patience is limited and he may become short-tempered if things don't go as planned. Cesar is the leader of the Varrios Los Aztecas, a fiercely proud Latino street gang.
Design
Cesar's design reinforces the stereotype that Latinos are gangsters, perpetuating the stereotype. Tattoos cover his arms and chest, as well as a white tank top, blue jeans, and white shoes.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
According to the bar graph, most of the participants expressed negative opinions about how Cesar was portrayed as a Mexican, as they ranked him poorly. Furthermore, when it came to his appearance, a considerable number of respondents viewed him as a thug or believed that his depiction did not accurately represent the Mexican appearance. Some respondents also described his appearance as "cholo."
Pedro Garcia - Grand Theft Auto Vice City
Background
In Grand Theft Auto Vice City, Pedro Garcia serves as a minor character, his role in the game is to be a gun runner.
Design
Pedro can be shown to wear a brown leather jacket, black shirt, and blue jeans.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
Based on the bar graph, it appears that the majority of the respondents had a combination of negative and mixed views about how Pedro Garcia was depicted as a Mexican. However, in terms of his physical appearance, the participants responded that he resembled an average person and that there were no stereotypes in his design.
King The Second - Tekken 3
Background
King spent his youth in the King's orphanage and was tasked by his mentor, who had suffered a brutal assault by Ogre. To support the institution, King became a professional wrestler. Armor King took on the responsibility of training a new King after the demise of the original. Upon learning about a new tournament, King's mentor registered him to gauge the effectiveness of his training against the most formidable opponents.
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In lucha libre, masks serve a crucial purpose. Not only do they add an air of intrigue, but they also serve as a symbol that can be passed down from one generation to the next. When a wrestler's son chooses to pursue the same path, he dons either the same mask or a very similar one to continue the legacy.
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Design
King is a luchador that wears a Jaguar mask that was worn by the original king. He is designed in a luchador attire with his pants being made by spandex, with black yellow wrestling boots, yellow shin guards, blue arm guards, and a tail to fit his jaguar look.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
The bar graph suggests that most respondents held favorable opinions about the portrayal of the second King as a Mexican. However, some respondents believed that the depiction aligned well with Mexico's wrestling and religious culture, while others felt that it leaned more towards pre-Hispanic cultures and did not accurately represent Mexican culture.
Ogre - Tekken 3
Background
Ogre can be depicted as a muscular man with dark green skin. He wears various pieces of ancient Aztec jewelry and a large golden helmet with orange hair. He wears a shield that resembles the stone of the sun, the Aztec calendar, on his left arm. It is implied that he is of a very old, but very powerful origin. In the game, it is stated that ancient human civilizations worshiped him as the "God of Fighting.".
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How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
According to the bar graph, the majority of respondents had a positive view of Ogre's portrayal in their culture. However, a few respondents did not think that Ogre was a good fit for their culture. Interestingly, in this study where participants were asked to choose characters that they felt represented them or not, none of them selected Ogre as either a positive or negative representation.
Manuel Calavera - Grim Fandango
Background
Manuel Calavera is the main protagonist of the video game Grim Fandango. He is a travel agent who is trapped in the Land of the Dead due to his past mistakes and is unable to move on until he has redeemed himself. Throughout the game, Manny is depicted as a sarcastic and quick-witted character who uses his wit and resourcefulness to solve puzzles and navigate the game's world.
Design
Manuel Calavera is seen wearing a white suit and black pants
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
The bar graph suggests that most respondents held favorable opinions about the portrayal of the Manuel Calavera as a Mexican. A few of the respondents have said that they like Manuel because he was cool and smart, that they have a skeleton much like how many has one.
El Ammo Bandido - Bioshock
Background
Set in 1960, BioShock follows the story of Jack, the lone survivor of a plane crash in the Atlantic Ocean. After stumbling upon the entrance to the secluded underwater city of Rapture, which has been ravaged by civil war, Jack finds himself stranded in a perilous and unfamiliar dystopia. With the aid of a mysterious figure named Atlas, he must confront the mutated inhabitants of Rapture, utilizing various weapons and genetic enhancements to survive and uncover a means of escaping back to the surface.
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El Ammo bandito is a vending machine that sells ammunition to the player.When the player interacts with the machine it talks to the player in a very broken English. With the machine talking in both English and Spanish.
Voice lines for El Ammo Bandito
"Bienvenido! El Ammo Bandito!"
"Muchas gracias Señor"
"No dinero, no ammo"
"Hey I have, a familia to feed!"
"Ha ha ha ha! Hey! Yo tengo que dar de comer a mi familia"
"Ha ha ha ha! Mi amigo! El ammo Bandito de la municion."
Design
The Mexican bandit inspires El ammo bandito's design since the logo consists of a man wearing a sombrero and a red scarf with two revolvers. The bottom part has cactus design on the machine.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
The bar graph suggests that most respondents held neutral opinions about the portrayal of the ammo bandito being a part of their culture. A few of the respondents have said that El ammo bandito does not celebrate Mexican heritage, and it is just a bending machine with the word bandit being misspelled in spanish.
Tostarenan - Super Mario Odyssey
Background
Super Mario Odyssey's Sand Kingdom features the Tostarenans, who wear clothing resembling traditional Mexican clothing, such as sombreros, ponchos, and maracas, the inhabitants all look like sugar skulls. At first, they are distressed due to the primary antagonist's actions of vandalizing their city with ice. Upon restoring the city to its previous state, they can be seen enjoying themselves and rejoicing.
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Design
They are based on the sugar skulls which are commonly used within the Day of the Dead.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
The bar graph suggests that most respondents agreed Tostarenan depicts their culture very well. A few of the respondents have said that with how Tostarenan was design demonstrates some knowledge of Mexican culture by the developers, and that it feels like an actual representation of Mexican culture.
Luisa Fortuna - Red Dead Redemption
Background
Luisa, a 19-year-old schoolteacher, and Mexican Revolutionist is a prominent figure in Red Dead Redemption. Her unwavering dedication and fervent revolutionary spirit are noteworthy. She strives to liberate Mexico from its oppressors.
Design
Fortuna is portrayed wearing clothing that is consistent with the time period and setting of the game, which is set in the American Old West. She is seen wearing a white and baby blue blouse, long blue skirt.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
According to the bar graph, a majority of the survey participants indicated that Luisa Fortuna accurately represents their culture. Some respondents commented that her design resembles someone from the past and her skin color, facial features, and attire are common in Mexico.
Abraham Reyes - Red Dead Redemption
Background
In the game Red Dead Redemption, Abraham Reyes holds a significant role as a character. Born into a wealthy family, he later rose to become the leader of the Mexican Revolutionists, advocating for social reform through a violent uprising against the Mexican Army. Reyes' charismatic personality has enabled him to effectively recruit members for his group of guerillas. The player meets Reyes for the first time when rescuing him from captivity, and later, Reyes repays the favor by saving the player after they are betrayed by the Mexican army. Reyes is a passionate advocate for his people's freedom and is determined to do whatever it takes to achieve it.
Design
Reyes' attire includes a leather jacket paired with black gloves, a green sarape, leather boots, and a pistol holstered at his side.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
According to the bar graph, most respondents had a favorable view of Abraham Reyes's portrayal in their culture. However, a few respondents had a mixed opinion that Abraham Reyes fit their culture. Interestingly, in this study, where participants were asked to choose characters that they felt represented them or not, none of them selected Abraham Reyes as either a positive or negative representation.
Vicente De Santa - Red Dead Redemption
Background
In Red Dead Redemption, Vicente de Santa serves as a secondary villain. He holds a commanding position within the Mexican army, and is fiercely dedicated to the cause, willing to eliminate anyone who stands in their way. The player first encounters Vicente upon arrival in Mexico, where he agrees to hand over the individuals the player seeks, on the condition that they assist him. Vicente is depicted as a malevolent figure, who derives pleasure from inflicting pain and torment on others.
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Design
Throughout the game, Vicente can be observed wearing a military uniform due to his position as the captain of the Mexican army.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
According to the bar graph, most respondents viewed Vicente De Santa's portrayal in their culture favorably. However, a few respondents had a mixed opinion that Vicente fitted their culture. Interestingly, in this study, where participants were asked to choose characters that they felt represented them or not, none of them selected Vicente De Santa as either a positive or negative representation.
Masked Fury - Fortnite Battle Royale
Background
In Fortnite Battle Royale, players engage in a player-versus-player mode where they drop onto an island and battle to become the final survivor. The game offers players a range of customization options, including skins, gliders, pickaxes, and weapon wraps, allowing them to personalize their gameplay experience. The skins available to players draw inspiration from a variety of cultures.
Design
The Masked Fury character skin takes significant inspiration from Lucha Libre, with a mask that features a green star and is predominantly colored in red, black, and white. This color scheme is also utilized throughout the rest of the outfit, including the wrestling boots.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
According to the bar graph, a majority of the survey participants indicated that Masked Fury accurately represented their culture. While a few said that it did not according to the bar graph. While someone did that that they are a fighter for life under their representation.
Dynamo - Red Dead Redemption
Background
In Fortnite Battle Royale, players engage in a player-versus-player mode where they drop onto an island and battle to become the final survivor. The game offers players a range of customization options, including skins, gliders, pickaxes, and weapon wraps, allowing them to personalize their gameplay experience. The skins available to players draw inspiration from a variety of cultures.
Design
Dynamo character skin takes significant inspiration from Lucha Libre, with a mask that features a green star and is predominantly colored in red, black, and white. This color scheme is also utilized throughout the rest of the outfit, including the wrestling boots.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
According to the bar graph, most respondents viewed Dynamo's portrayal in their culture favorably. However, there were a few respondents who had a negative opinion that Dynamo did not fit their culture. Interestingly, in this study, where participants were asked to choose characters that they felt represented them or not, none of them selected Dynamo as either a positive or negative representation.
Frida the Bride - LittleBigPlanet
Background
Frida the bride is a major character in LittleBigPlanet. She is in charge of a level called the wedding. She tasks the player to help find her missing fiancé.
Design
Frida the Bride is portrayed as a caricature of Frida Kahlo, a renowned painter famous for her nature-inspired works and captivating portraits, including self-portraits. In this particular representation, Frida is donning a wedding gown, with a bouquet of marigold flowers and a floral headpiece, adding to her overall charm.
Inspiration
Frida Kahlo, a Mexican artist, gained fame for her vividly colored and unapologetically honest self-portraits, which explore themes such as the human body, identity, and mortality (Frida Kahlo | Biography, Paintings, & Facts | Britannica, 2023).
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
According to the bar graph, most respondents viewed Frida the bride's portrayal in their culture favorably. However, there were a few respondents who had a negative opinion that Frida did not fit their culture. Interestingly, in this study, where participants were asked to choose characters that they felt represented them or not, none of them selected Dynamo as either a positive or negative representation.
Rosa - Red Dead Redemption
Background
In Fortnite Battle Royale, players engage in a player-versus-player mode where they drop onto an island and battle to become the final survivor. The game offers players a range of customization options, including skins, gliders, pickaxes, and weapon wraps, allowing them to personalize their gameplay experience. The skins available to players draw inspiration from a variety of cultures.
Design
Rosa's character skin draws notable inspiration from La Catrina, featuring a skeletal face paint and a dress that incorporates the colors purple, baby blue, black, and pink, heavily inspired by the Day of the Dead.
How well does this character take part in your culture?
This bar graph is meant to show what Mexican gamers think about the way the character takes part in their culture. From 1 being the worst to 5 being the best.
Peoples opinions on the way the character is designed
Based on the bar graph, most of the survey respondents stated that Rosa portrayed their culture with accuracy. Additionally, some participants have noted that her design includes elements of traditional Mexican attire and is inspired by the Day of the Dead, with her resemblance to La Catrina also being mentioned.
Bibliography
Linton, R. (1945). The Cultural Background of Personality. New York.
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Overwatch 2. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://overwatch.blizzard.com/en-us/heroes/sombra/
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