[url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/09/04/real-gang-members-feature-as-voice-actors-in-gta-v]Article[/url] [quote]Grand Theft Auto V’s gang members are actually voiced by real gang members, producer Lazlow Jones has revealed during an interview with Chicago radio station WGN. “When we record all these ambient characters that are in the world we go towards authenticity,” said Lazlow during his discussion with WGN host Nick Digilio. “So in the game, part of the element of the story is that there’s these gangs, these rival gangs.” “There’s black gangs, there’s Latino gangs, and we recruited a guy who gets gang members, like actual gang members, real gang members. I mean, El Salvadorian gang dudes with amazing tattoos and one of which literally had gotten out of prison the day before. “And we brought these guys in to record the gang characters because, you know, you don't want a goofy LA actor who went to a fancy school trying to be a hard gang member. There's nothing worse than that. So just go find the real, terrifying people and say, ‘Can you come in here please?’ And they look at the lines and they say, ‘I wouldn’t say that. If I was upset at another gang, I wouldn't say that.’ So, well, then say what you would say. Authenticity, you know?[/quote] I, for one, get a bit annoyed at the shallow and stereotypical portrayals of other cultures and people in games. I think the lack of diversity in gaming comes down to game developers' own lack of diversity. The end result is that we end up viewing other cultures through the eyes of somewhat sheltered suburbanites (a group that I am certainly a member of, so don't think that I'm hating on them), and having people who actually experienced the lifestyle in question work with you is a good way to keep your characters from becoming simple stereotypes. I also wonder what mainstream news outlets will say about this? I'm sure it will be rational, reasonable, and in no way contain not-so-subtle racist undertones.