Babylonian Twins finally coming (Amiga, iPhone)

[Trev]

Babylonian Twins struck me as racist propaganda. Just me?

[Trev]

No, I saw the game as antisemitic. Whether it is or not depends on the views of the developers and the game's place in Persian, Mesopotamian, and Babylonian history. Nothing to do with being "politically correct." The game's imagery echoes that of the "angry Jew" common in parts of the Middle East. Anyhow, probably overanalyzing. With respect to gameplay, the game looks like every other platformer.

[Trev]

Well, at least the sarcasm is historically relevant. Video games are art, and I'm simply questioning the choices behind some of the game's imagery. No serious discussion here it seems. Go back to your button mashing, folks. Nothing to see or question here.

[Trev]

The evil sorcerer with pointy teeth looked a lot like some of the anti-semitic imagery I've seen. For all I know, the sorcerer might represent Saddam Hussein, a much disliked school teacher, or the Persian version of the bogeyman--"lulu-khorkhore," according to Wikipedia. If Wikipedia is correct, then the pointy teeth fit the bogeyman interpretation. Evil sorcerers often turn out to be that which children fear the most. That said, negative Jewish archetypes often serve as bogeyman in anti-semitic cultures or cultures under anti-semitic regimes.

If the game takes place around the time of Nebuchadnezzar II, then the sorcerer probably is Chaldean--but so was Nebuchadnezzar II, and presumably, the "Babylonian Twins" as well. The king's advisor might also have been the children's teacher, in which case we find support for the sorcerer representing an authoritarian figure from the authors' childhoods.

[Trev]

@cybernoid

I think you should read the interview that the coder did some months ago. Reading both, I don't think he did such desgusting analogies, but I think your imagination is High

I did. Not having grown up in late twentieth century Iraq myself, I don't presume to know their motivations, beyond their stated interests in computers and Persian art history. Hence, this discussion. ;-)

@Crom00

That's an excellent point, of course, but any modern artist would be mindful of that when choosing how to represent their villains. For example, mine all have Texan accents and beady little eyes. :-P

[Trev]

@desiv

Why would you move a critical discussion of Amiga related art to a politics forum?

@all

All art, regardless of the medium, is half interpretation. Gifted artists are mindful of that.

[Trev]

@stefcep2

The problem isn't Jewish sensitivity to antisemitism; the problem is antisemitism. I wasn't discussing that, though. I was discussing my interpretation of some of the game's imagery.