Robert Parungao, who graduated earlier this year having completed an eight-month analysis on racism in games, argued that ethnic minorities are repeatedly portrayed in a negative light in games. "These images have gone unchallenged for the past 20 years or more," he wrote, before adding that, "Parents, government and media watchdog groups have protested the widespread violence and sexism in videogames, but the blatant racism has gone largely unnoticed."
Parungao studied four games for his thesis, deliberately chosen as they spanned the last twenty years: Kung Fu, Warcraft 3, Shadow Warrior and Grand Theft Auto III. In completing his study, Parungao spent hundreds of hours with each game, examining storylines and characters. GTA III was criticised for featuring "non-white characters who are mainly triad members, yakuza gangsters, latino gangs or black hoods - these stock characters are seen in a lot of games and function as narrative obstacles to be overcome, mastered or ultimately blown to smithereens by the white hero."
Meanwhile, Parungao notes how, "The villain in Shadow Warrior goes by a Chinese name, Lo Wang. But when he fires his rocket launcher at his enemies, he screams 'just like Hiroshima!'" This, Parungao argues, is an example of how game designers, "like to use a mix and match grab bag of Asian stereotypes that are often nonsensical".
He also points out that video games may be suffering from a deeper malaise than other entertainment mediums, and suggests that they've failed to keep up with films or TV. "Film and television come under greater critical scrutiny so civil rights and minority groups can voice their concerns and effect some change. But videogames have generally been seen as kids’ toys. There aren't the same mechanisms or critical forums to encourage game designers to evolve."
Parungao's accusations have surfaced in the same month that both Sony and the PSP title LocoRoco have become embroiled in debates on racism. Nevertheless, Parungao is keen to point that he is also a gamer, and that, "he hopes to continue looking into ways to improve videogames because they’re fun and I’d like to see them turn into positive media instead of negative ones."
Does Parungao have a point then? Tell us what you think in the forums.
Admittedly not a big games publisher though. 
Where has anyone put forward those suggestions? You're just going to extremes to belittle the opposing argument.
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