In a time when racism seems to be becoming more acceptable, when confronting and talking about it brings more wrath from self-proclaimed “not racists” than the existence of racism, I’m glad we have fiction reminding people that racism existed and still exists. I’m glad its effects are used as part of the mafia gangster game online’s design, not merely relegated to cutscenes (animated, non-playable interludes) or dialogue. I’m glad its racism isn’t caricatured as so unbelievably evil that only cartoon villains could ever hold such views.

I want people to know what racism feels like. Too many would rather we never have conversations about issues of race or politics in fictional media. Status quo warriors have long ignored criticisms they have no interest in – instead demanding silence from the marginalised voices offering the criticism and perspective severely lacking from wider debate.

This need to see things remain “the same” isn’t neutral, because appealing to “the same” group means appealing to those who have privileges that the rest of us do not. The yearning for some golden age is so often code for returning to a time when white supremacy was unquestioned, unchallenged. The very world Lincoln finds himself in when the game begins.

YOTTA Game Studio Related Links
English: Mafia City
Chinese Traditional: 黑道風雲H5