Black Gaming Chronicles: A Deep Dive Into The Latest

If you’re a black gamer you know the experience is an interesting one. It’s like being an Xbox fan. (Team Blue over here!).You enjoy yourself but know you deserve better. And while they keep promising it will get better, it doesn’t. And inevitably, there’s that moment, usually around E3, or Gamescom where you get that wake-up call that it just isn’t the same experience everyone else is getting. But shouts to Xbox their diversity team is amazing. As far as gaming has come and despite our constant contributions to it, it is still a minefield of underrepresentation, harassment, aggression or apathy to black people in the gaming industry. Unless it’s February, then we are flooded. But what about the other 11 months? 

So I introduce to you, Black Gaming Chronicles. Monthly, we will recap what’s going on in the gaming world with an eye out for what would be interesting, informative, or entertaining to Black gamers. We will cover upcoming games, accessories, news, people, things to make you better gamers, keep you informed of the landscape, new things happening, and more.  And while we will give you information and news we will be sharing some opinions, because what is information without context? So for our first foray a bit of a recap over the last few months as there were some things we missed.

Assassins Creed Shadows

One of the worst-kept secrets in gaming made its way to the mainstream as Ubisoft released the trailer for the newest entry into the Assassin’s Creed franchise, Assassins Creed Shadows. Set in feudal Japan, the trailer showcases two main characters: a young Asian woman and a Black samurai. The character, based on the historical figure Yasuke, was greeted with a mixed welcome in a world that has grown a little tepid towards DEI initiatives. While most applauded Ubisoft’s decision to add a bit of a twist to the recent carbon copy samurai releases, others were hostile to the revelation. Surprising no one, malcontents were quick to take to their favorite platform to decry the choice as just another colorization of history despite the fact of Yasuke’s historical significance and actual existence. There has also been an online petition circulating which has reached over 50,000 signatures asking for the cancellation of the game citing a lack of respect for Japanese culture. While we welcome the inclusion of the character, we are more interested in if the game will be a good game and not a re-skin of other Assassins Creeds, which has been a strength and weakness of the franchise.

Blerdcon

Black geeks descended on Virgina for the annual Blerdcon Convention. Started in 2015, the con celebrates black geek culture and brings together fans of Anime, American Animation, Comics, Video Games, Tabletop Games and everything in between to express their fandoms. Cosplayers, streamers, gamers, casual fans and more were treated to an array of activities and spectacles, including cosplayers, panels, and guests. Some of this year’s guests included voice actors Phil Lamaar, Ahmed Best, Atandwa Kani, J Lee, Cynthia Harrell and more. 

Dreamcon

From the minds of social media influencers and content creators RDC, Dream Con is an anime and gaming convention bringing together like-minded individuals to enjoy and celebrate multiple interests including pop culture, comics, art, cosplay, music and much more. This year‘s highlights included their Super Smash Bros tournament, Crew Challenge and appearances by the black content creator collective AMP and special guest Sexxy Redd. 

Rooster Teeth Closing

While announced earlier this year, May 15 was the final day of gaming content mainstay Rooster Teeth. Started in 2004, the company had a meteoric rise pumping out shows like Red Vs Blue, and Achievement Hunters and eventually moving to mainstream productions like the RWBY and Gen:Lock animated series. Since its inception the company has changed hands a number of times, most recently landing with Discovery after the Warner Brothers acquisition. After years of unprofitability, Discovery finally pulled the plug. While the company had some controversies, it had recently made some steps toward a more inclusive roster adding a number of shows and talent to their pool. So as the last cock crows for Rooster Teeth we wave goodbye to some of our favorites including John Holland, Sammie , Wahony, Griff, Blizzb3ar, Blackkrystel and more.      

College Football 25

After a decade-long hiatus, Electronic Arts is back in the college sports game and have announced the release of College Football 25. The game released on July 19th, 2024, was the game developers’ first foray back into the college realm after their decision to cease production of any games depicting college athletes in response to the lawsuit brought by Ed’ O’Bannon against the company and the NCAA for using his likeness in video games without compensation. The recent pivot to allow players to receive compensation has allowed EA to re-enter the market and bring back the game. Promising to not be “Madden in college uniforms”, College Football 25 is said to be creating an authentic collegiate experience utilizing unique features like a Wear & Tear system that takes fatigue to a new more critical level, Confidence & Composure which not only test how you perform in high pressure situations, but also drums up the impact of home versus away games. Even if you are a freshman or a senior, it impacts the game play experience. 

Tales of Kenzera: Zau

The end of April also brought the release of Electronic Arts’ Tales of Kenzera: Zau. The game is the brainchild of Surgent Studios and Abubakar Salim, who gamers probably know as the voice of  Bayek in Assassin’s Creed Origins and Father in Raised by Wolves. The Metroidvania is an emotional dive into grief as you play Zau, a young shaman who is on a quest to collect three spirits to earn a wish from Kalunga the god of death. His wish? To return his father’s spirit to the land of the living. 

“Not Like Us,” The Game

Yellin’ ‘A – Minor’ at the top of your lungs just not giving you the same vibe anymore? Blasting “Not Like Us” and walking around Toronto too risky a way t get your adrenaline rush? Can’t find another way to remix BBL Drizzy?  Richie Branson, producer, rapper and game developer has made the perfect game for those Lamarians who want a new way to express their disdain for Drake. Not Like Us – the game, is an 8-Bit browser-based game that has you seeing how many owls you can smack.  And if that isn’t on the nose enough, each owl defeated gets a WOP! pop up on the screen. The game was created by Richie Branson who has worked with Def Jam, Rooster Teeth, Fortnite and many others and the team from Coexist Gaming. The game had over 1.2 million players in the first 48 hours of release. I have tried it and am curious can anyone get past 21 owls?