THOSE OF US FROM LESS PRIVILEGED BACKGROUNDS RARELY SEE OURSELVES ACCURATELY REFLECTED IN GAMES.

Wealthy gamers continue to be prioritised over all others

Today, I’m very lucky. Not only do I have a wonderful family, I earn enough money to let Direct Debits pay the bills, and I can treat my wife and kids – and myself – to nice things now and again without worrying about my bank account. However, I grew up in the kind of family that games often ignore or stereotype.

There are countless millions of families that struggle financially, but are fortunate enough to avoid diving deep into poverty, and can even allow for the kids (and/or adults) to play videogames. We need to face up to the fact that, more often than we may realise, our hobby isn’t the pure escapism we think it is for everybody. The spectres of wealth, class, and how they affect the lives we lead can creep unbidden into the games we play.

Lara Croft may be an easy target here, but I can’t help but think that her super-privileged backstory and plummy voice contributed to my inability to get into the series. How on earth could I, in my bedroom the size of a large wardrobe, relate to this character who grew up in a literal mansion? I wore trainers from the market with brands like ‘Neki’ and, if I was lucky, my family would holiday in a pokey little caravan in Norfolk. She has a butler. I was rooting for the tigers.

To pick out a far more repulsive and insidious example of class representation, I’ll point you to Detroit: Become Human. The thing that enraged me the most, after the racial insensitivity, was the character of Todd. We know he’s poor and working class, because he’s poorly dressed, greasy-looking, depressed, a drug user, angry, and abusive. He explicitly yells about money at the daughter that, of course, he terrorises and beats. If only he had more cash (you know, like a normal person) he would clearly be a well-adjusted member of society, and a loving father.

We know this, because the most sympathetic human in the game – Carl – is extraordinarily wealthy.

RICH MAN’S WORLD

Usually, ignorance of the poorer side of the audience is harmless, and almost certainly unintentional. As good as Afterparty is, for example, its graduation party opening will immediately make those whose upbringing prevented attending university or college feel excluded (at least, that’s how I felt). Casually globetrotting characters can occasionally be an unintentional distraction. I’ve only ever been on one holiday abroad; I don’t have the knowledge or the physique to steal treasure from ancient temples like Nathan Drake, so regular holiday trips may necessitate me switching to a more Agent-47-style career…

It’s important to remember the real-world implications, too. I might be able to justify buying a PS5, as my writing will eventually recoup the cost. Countless others, however, will have greeted the console’s announcement (and the countdown to the PS4’s eventual end) with dismay, knowing that they won’t be able to afford one for years.

Conversely, PlayStation Plus is a great option for those who struggle to afford new games. So long as you can pull together the subscription money, you get two new games added to your collection every month, guaranteed. They’re rented rather than owned, but there’s no return date. More ideas like this please, Sony – and remember, developers, not everybody who will play your game is as lucky as you.