Your "list" of best selling games actually highlights my point so thanks for that. It's a pity you didn't bother to look at the games on that list. I don't think you'd be making claims like this " you can see that the majority of franchises do not force players to play a white male (or even a human...) character."
Well, when we look at your list we can see the exact opposite of your claim. There's COD, BF, GTA, FIFA, Need For Speed, Assassin's Creed, Resident Evil, Splinter Cell, Star Wars, Halo, Metal Gear Solid, UnCharted, Medal Of Honor, Red Dead Redemption, The Witcher, James Bond, Tony Hawks, God Of War, Rainbow 6, Bioshock, Batman, Gears Of War, Spiderman, Devil May Cry. It goes on and on.
While we're here, here's an old meme that highlights the discussion
Whenever I see this meme I always think that these games were all popular and some of those protagonists are iconic at this stage.
So doesn't that actually vindicate the design choices made?
After all, nobody knew how popular these would be before they were released.
Then I figure couldn't you chose 20 video game protagonists that aren't even really human?
So what would the "gotcha" be in that scenario?
Kid's love weird mascots and anthropomorphic animals?
Plus there is actually quite a bit of diversity among the 20 protagonists that have been cherry picked here.
You literally have to decide to ONLY see gender and race, and nothing else, to come away with the idea that it's just the same thing over and over.
Also "FIFA"? Hahahaha. FIFA? Really?
I think that reality kind of dictates who appears in a FIFA game. I mean what the hell are they going to do?
We can't have Messi and Ronaldo in FIFA this year folks. Not diverse enough.
FIFA 2020 reveal trailer at E3...
Packed stadium. Floodlights.
We see Adidas football boots expertly controlling the Champions League matchball.
Hints at a Barcelona player weaving in and out of white shirted opponents.
Sergio Ramos slides in but the mystery player hurdles the tackle.
Lines up a shot. A prosthetic leg swings at the ball.
Top corner! Oh my gaaaaawd!
Camera zooms out and it's Leanne Messi!
The fat Californian hambeast with the pink hair has scored again for FC Barcelona!
She lost her lower leg to diabetes but she just scored the winner in the Champions League final!
Ttle Card "FIFA 2020 - Everyone's FIFA".
EA spokesperson, "women play football, people are dumb, if you don't like it, don't buy it".