(DE)HUMANIZATION OF PHYSICALLY DISABLED BODIES IN BORDERLANDS 3

Authors

Natasha Talitha Anindya, Universitas AirlanggaFollow
Lastiko Endi Rahmantyo, Universitas AirlanggaFollow

Abstract

The video game industry has played a role in both affirming and erasing stereotypes surrounding minorities, especially those with disabilities. This study aims to analyse Borderlands 3’s in-game narrative that represents physically disabled characters through their characterization, visualization, and individual character development in the main plot campaign, illustrating how positive representation helps fight common stigmas and negative stereotypes. By using Shakespeare’s social model of disability as a theoretical framework, the analysis will view the game as text to identify physically disabled characters and determine if they face discrimination in the in-game universe. Results show that characters with prosthetics are considered ‘cool’ futuristic bodies symbolizing strength, while disfigured bodies still encounter discrimination with the enforcement of negative stereotypes and derogatory language. This unequal representation creates a social imbalance among physically disabled people, with the public assuming that different types of physical disabilities are superior to others.

Bahasa Abstract

Industri video game telah berperan dalam mengukuhkan dan menghapus stereotip seputar minoritas, terutama penyandang disabilitas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis narasi dalam game Borderlands 3 yang merepresentasikan karakter penyandang disabilitas fisik melalui penokohan, visualisasi, dan pengembangan karakter individu dalam kampanye plot utama, yang mengilustrasikan bagaimana representasi positif dapat membantu melawan stigma dan stereotip negatif. Dengan menggunakan model sosial disabilitas Shakespeare sebagai kerangka teori, analisis ini akan melihat game sebagai teks untuk mengidentifikasi karakter yang memiliki keterbatasan fisik dan menentukan apakah mereka menghadapi diskriminasi di dunia game. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa karakter dengan prostetik dianggap sebagai tubuh futuristik yang 'keren' dan melambangkan kekuatan, sementara tubuh yang cacat masih mengalami diskriminasi dengan penegakan stereotip negatif dan bahasa yang merendahkan. Representasi yang tidak setara ini menciptakan ketidakseimbangan sosial di antara para penyandang disabilitas fisik, dengan asumsi publik bahwa jenis disabilitas fisik tertentu lebih unggul dari yang lain.

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Recommended Citation

Anindya, Natasha T, and Lastiko E. Rahmantyo. 2023. (DE)HUMANIZATION OF PHYSICALLY DISABLED BODIES IN BORDERLANDS 3. Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya 13, no. 3 (December). 10.17510/paradigma.v13i3.1038.