Diaspora of Games within South Asia and their Future

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/dec2005/id20051213_158208.htm

The link above is an article to Business Week Online regarding developing video games within India and a recent game and concept that is growing within South Asian computer gaming genres, which is "Indian themed" games such as Emporer Ashoka. This game is about a centries old ruler who united the Indian subcontinet under his rule and is known for his bravery and valor. The problem I see with this type of developing genre is that it feeds into the stereotype of westernized video games and though it may be a successful marketing scheme for already developed nations who might feed on their notions of what is Indian, it definetely is a step back for introducing active participation in mass numbers within the Indian population itself. The concept of historical contextual games which involve active learning of history is an interesting concept but I don't feel that the country is prepared to accept the conept of rewriting history with every unique gaming experience. As far as histry goes, Ashoka has always won and fought with great success in terms of killing men and attaining land, whereas within the game, the outcome is dependent on the player which may make sense as the player will take on the role of Ashoka while fighting, but as I mentioned earleir, even the creators of Resistance made the conscious effort of rewriting the history back to 1892 and in terms of aliens torecreate the context within which the players face. To blatantly allow the recreation of an Indian ruler in a false manner may turn off a lot of potential players within the market of upper middle class Indian city high schoola nd college students who are spending more and more money on entertainment, according to the report. Especiaslly, with the use of the Hindu goddess Kali as a character within the game is a clear statement from the creators that thi game is intended for overseas only and cannot and will not be considered a stepping stone for textual studies within video games for India. The erotic depiction of women within these games has definitely spilled over to the deiction of Kali and her role as villianess will definitely cause strong opposition if released in Indain markets. To place things into context, we haven't seen any games within Unites States which present Christ in an erotic and violent manner without context or within. The interpretation of Kali as violent is analagous to limiting Christ in the figure of the angry teenager who turned over the tables of the sly tax collector as a teenager. Though I understand that mrketing is for overseas, I feel the company is creating a barier betweent itself and the huge market waiting to be profitted from within India itself. The Creators are looking for quick money from where it already exists and not tapping into unknown teritorries where much oppurtunity lies and to be so insensative to the textual value of history and interetextual quality and correctness of the game will defintely effect the company in the future when the genre becomes more specific to Indian games for Indians and they will have to endure much criticism for what South Asian players will see as a compromise of ethical standards for quick money.