The RizTest Podcast

We geek out and level up this week with the amazingly talented Osama Dorias and discuss the topic of representation of Muslims in Video Games🕹. 

Osama is Lead Games Designer at Warner Brother Games Canada, authored the Independent Video Games programme at Dawson College (Qubec) , founded the Montreal Independent Games Awards and is President of the Muslim In Games Special Interest Group for the IGDA (International Games Developers Association).

Osama is also a prolific public speaker talking about Muslim Representation in Video Games at conferences around the world, most notably at the Games Developer Conference presenting a “How to Guide to Muslim Representation in Video Games”.

We discuss:

• Personal journey into the world of video games
• The ‘Good Muslim Vs Bad Muslim’ Trope
• Parallels between the Film & TV and Games Industry
• Well-Intentioned mistakes with representation and why being too afraid to try leads to poor representation
• Bad guys in games: Zombies, Muslims and Nazis
• Concept of 'Arabistan'
• Is representation better in Indie Games? or Big Studio Games?
• People of Colour in Play (organisation)
• Muslim Representation in Graphic Novels
• Osama’s Talk at the GDC “A How to Guide for Muslim Representation in Video Games”
  • https://youtu.be/p4MHV15n-Lw

Games covered:

• Little Big Planet (2008)
• Call of Duty Franchise (2007-)
• Counter Strike (2000)
• Terminator Salvation (2009)
• Super Street Fighter IV (2010)
• Tekken 7 (2015)
• Overwatch (2015)
• Deus Ex (2000)
• Assassins Creed Franchise (2007-)
• Spiderman (PS4 2018)
• Good Pizza Great Pizza (2018)
• MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries (2018)
• Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege: Year 5 Pass (2020)
• After HOURS (2018)

We sit down (in our own homes) with the talented Mr Asim Burney, host and producer of the Khandaan podcast to talk about Muslim Representation in Bollywood.

Shownotes below:

· The Khandaan Podcast

· Who is Bollywood for?

· Sense of cultural betrayal – when did Bollywood start demonising Muslims?

· Perspectives on Bollywood from Muslims in the US, UK and Europe

· Are there any nuanced representations of Muslims

· Why don’t Muslim actors speak out?

· Shahrukh Khan’s article for New York Times, Outlook Turning Points: “Being a Khan”, 2013

o https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/shah-rukh-khan-on-being-a-muslim-outlook-turning-points-magazine-152347-2013-01-23

· Aamir Khan’s statement on intolerance in India

o “I am alarmed, my wife suggested moving out of India” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Aamir-Khan-on-intolerance-I-am-alarmed-my-wife-suggested-moving-out-of-India/articleshow/49897156.cms#

And here’s a full list of movies we cover in this episode:

· Kal Ho Na Ho (2003)

· Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)

· Delhi Belly (2011)

· Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

· Sholay (1975)

· Darr (1993)

· Sarfarosh (1999)

· Border (1997)

· Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001)

· Andhadhun (2018) Positive Muslim Representation

· Gully Boy (2019) Positive Muslim Representation

· 24, True Lies, Jack Ryan

· Vada Chennai (2018)

· Trance (2020)

· Pakeezah (1972)

· Mughal-E-Azam (1960)

· Coolie (1983)

· Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998)

· Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)

· Dil Se (1998)

· Bharat (2019)

· Sultan (2016)

· Mr India (1987)

• http://www.ukiff.org.uk/about

A platform for watching Iranian films

• https://www.imvbox.com/

Other notes:

• Gholam (2017) is on Amazon to rent/buy
• Twitter: @zahrafkh
• If interested in blogs/content about sustainability, check out:
• https://livinglifenaturalblog.com/author/zahrak/
• http://muslimgirl.com/45573/heres-modest-fashion-ethics-need-go-hand-hand/