Hold on there, I know what you're thinking: Another average black male whining about being misrepresented in the media. Well, in a way you're right, but at the same time, I do feel that the issue has to be brought up and focused on, more in-depth. With that said, let me first state that no...it does not matter what color the hero's skin is in a game. However, developers do tend to make nearly all black characters, generic, ebonic-spouting, pot-smoking thugs, which can be a bit grating to those of us out there who are neither of the ebonic-spouting or pot-smoking persuasion.

I'm not saying that every black character in gaming has been represented in this way, but let's face it, in the last few years, aside from some historic war-games, and Shadow-man, there haven't been very many black characters represented otherwise. As entertaining as some games can be (San Andreas, Saints Row, etc.), there's a severe bias in the lead character roles. Yes, the aforementioned games are best-suited for those types of characters, but those games seem to be the only ones that really have a black protagonist, and let's face it, they aren't the most positive role models in the world, and they certainly don't represent every African-American person on the planet.

So what am I asking for? To be honest, I just want a game that I can play with my son, that doesn't involve black characters spouting N-bombs and F-bombs, every other word. We can do other things than drive-by shootings, or beat-up hookers. Part of the problem is that even when there is a positive black role model in a game, they still have to make him spout the most ridiculous lines during the game. (Indigo Prophecy had a great character in it, but he still was very stereotypically represented, though not nearly as bad as some games.)

Perhaps the problem isn't that they're trying to represent black culture. Instead, they're trying to give the game an edgy, hip feel, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but alot of times, the edgy-ness is completely moronic and off-kilter with the rest of the game. In essence, I guess I should really blame white suburbia for buying into the "gangsta" lifestyle so much. Yeah, sounds ludicrous, but that's who gaming companies are designing these games for, to be honest. I'm sure that they're trying to reach out to the black community as well, but thus far, myself and several of my friends just can't help but wonder if any of these developers even knows a black man that didn't come "Straight Outta Compton"...

As I've said, it really doesn't matter what color a person is in the game...at the end of the day, it's just not important. However, when nearly every single representative of one race is a 50-Cent wannabe, it can be a bit frustrating and irritating. All I'm asking, is for developers to take the time to look at the context of the game...if it fits, fine, but if you're just adding hip-hop culture to generate sales, then at least make them role models along the lines of K-os or KRS-One, and not 50-Cent.

It's official, I hate checking the news on Gamespot now...Whoa....hold up there ed's...before you get the wrong idea, know one thing: This isn't about you, or your reporting. You're beautiful sweethearts, don't ever change.

No, friends, what I speak of is the increasing number of user-created messages that seem to be attacking other users for having opinions. It's gotten to the point where you can scroll pretty much through 10 pages and not find more than 2 or three comments that are relevant to the story, anymore.

Never let it be said that I am condemning people for going off-topic, as I've done it many, many times as well...(Like the time I was talking to my friend Ash and we were going on and on about the PS3 and how we...er..right...nevermind, not relevant.) The problem is that if the story tends to be in regards to one of the big 3, the "Fanboys", automatically jump in to add their 2 cents...not by posting anything remotely interesting or vaguely pertaining to the topic, but by posting how (insert console name here), is a piece of crap, (insert one of the competing brands name here) is gonna kick ass once it's running at full tilt. Riiiiiiiiiight...

Look, I've got no problem with anyone voicing an opinion, ever (exception being intolerant people like racists and the likes). But essentially what starts as someone voicing their opinion just degrades into juvenile name calling and complete idiocy. If you hate Microsoft so much, why go into a story that is clearly all about how well or poorly Microsoft is doing, just to say that the 360 sucks and the PS3 rules? I see no point in that. I don't like eggs, but you know what, I'm not going to call people who love eggs ignorant names simply because they like them...where's the logic in that? I don't like eggs, so I stay the hell away from them...much like if I don't like a console company, I don't go out of my way to find a story on them and bash anyone who's supporting their console of choice. Why? Because everyone has an opinion and you can present all the facts and figures that you want...people's opinions don't change. PS2 outsold Xbox by a large margin, but guess what, that isn't going to change some people's opinions on the matter of which console is better. Just because something sells well, doesn't necessarily mean that everyone is going  to love it...and if they don't love it, it sure as heck doesn't mean you should verbally berate them for having a differing opinion...I mean, how can anyone take the gaming community seriously when all we do is fight over which system is better than the other. We look like a bunch of kids on the playground, for the love of [whatever deity you prefer..]

Ok, so now some of you are thinking...well if you don't like reading that stuff, just don't look, and to an extent you're right...but let's face it, if you're reading a story about your favourite console, or whatnot, you're probably going to post a small congratulatory note, or a point of admonishment, whatever your particular point of view is, so you're bound to run across at least a few of the remarks that I'm speaking of.

I do commend Gamespot for giving us the right to voice our opinions freely, and for the most part, it's great to see everyone taking part...but in the long run, what I really want to know is..."can't we all just get along:"

[note: Yeah, that was a cheap ending, so what? You wanna make something of it?]

[another note: Yeah, I know I used MS and Sony as the examples and made it sound like MS is my system of choice, but I assure you, this is all just based on the things I've seen on the boards, and the most obvious examples I could think of. I have high hopes for all of the big three in the coming years, so if you love Sony...good for you.]

Oi! You lot, have a good Canada Day...

I'm celebrating it the traditional way...booze and explosives!

Here's hoping my all my limbs make it.