Aspects of postcolonialism in the video game Assassin’s Creed III

Abstract

This independent study aims to examine the aspects of post-colonialism and three main aspect of post-colonial theory in the video game Assassin's Creed IIl. The researcher has employed three main aspects of post-colonial theory described in the book The Empire Writes Back by Ashcroft et al as tools in order to examine the events and language portrayed in the video game. Furthermore, the researcher has also employed the film analysis theory discussed in the book The Art of Watching Films by Joseph M. Boggs in order to analyze the cinematic scenes in the video game. This research study contends that the storyline of the video game reflects the characteristics of the three main aspects of post-colonial theory: 1) reclaiming spaces and places by emphasizing the relationship between the colonizers and the colonized in the roles of the oppressor and the oppressed. The oppressed people counteract to the oppressors as a way to reclaim their land and their connection to the land through both direct and indirect methods, 2) asserting cultural integrity by promoting the pride and morality of the indigenous people through costumes and through their perspectives to counteract the misrepresentations fabricated by the colonizers during the colonial period, and 3) revising history by recounting the experiences and struggles undertaken by the indigenous people during the Revolutionary War. Each aspect is analyzed and categorized into three categories: 1) characters, 2) language, and 3) action and behavior. Notably, the video game Assassin's Creed IIl employs specific techniques used in film-making to assist in emphasizing these aspects such as through the use of characterization by choice of name or characterization by appearance. The makers of this video game have also employed specific camera techniques to achieve certain cinematic objectives.