Wildlands Bolivia: Authentic Or Artistic License?

The video game Ghost Recon Wildlands, developed by Ubisoft, is set in Bolivia. The game's story involves a fictional Mexican cartel that has taken over Bolivia, turning it into a violent narco-state. While the game is set in a fictional universe, it has been criticized for its inaccurate portrayal of Bolivia, including the accents, clothing, and music of its inhabitants. The Bolivian government even issued a formal complaint about the game, arguing that it unfairly portrays the country as being controlled by drug traffickers. Despite Ubisoft's response that the game is purely a work of fiction, the controversy raises questions about the responsibility of video game developers to accurately portray the settings and cultures they draw inspiration from.

Ubisoft's response to the controversy

In response to the controversy surrounding the portrayal of Bolivia in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands, Ubisoft issued a statement to the press reaffirming their right to create fictional works. They stated that the game is a work of fiction and that it takes place in a modern universe inspired by reality, but the characters, locations, and stories are all fantasies created solely for entertainment purposes.

Ubisoft explained that Bolivia was chosen as the background of the game based on its magnificent landscapes and rich culture. They expressed hope that the in-game world comes close to representing the country's beautiful topography and that players enjoy exploring the diverse and open landscapes.

Ubisoft's narrative director, Sam Strachman, pointed out that the team spent almost a year conducting research for the game. They took a trip to Bolivia and met with locals, politicians, sociologists, botanists, geologists, and other experts to create a believable and faithful in-game representation of the country.

Lead gameplay designer Dominic Butler added that there was never any intent to make Bolivia look bad or dangerous and that the game does not make a political statement. He emphasised that the game is a work of fiction, portraying a "what if?" scenario rather than a real problem.

To address the criticism, Ubisoft also inserted a disclaimer in a recent patch stating that the game is not representative of Bolivia.

The Bolivian government's reaction

The Bolivian government was not pleased with the country's depiction in Ubisoft's Ghost Recon: Wildlands. The government sent a formal complaint to the French embassy, threatening legal action. Bolivia's interior minister, Carlos Romero, stated that the game unfairly portrays the country as being under the control of a drug cartel, specifically a powerful Mexican cartel that turns Bolivia into a "narco-state," holding sway over the government and its people.

In response to the controversy, Ubisoft reaffirmed its right to create fictional works and stressed that the game is purely a work of fiction. They chose Bolivia for its magnificent landscapes and rich culture, and they hoped that the in-game world would represent the country's beautiful topography. Ubisoft also inserted a disclaimer in a recent patch, stating that the game is not representative of Bolivia.

Bolivia's reaction to the game raises questions about the responsibility of video game producers to accurately portray the people and places they depict. While Ubisoft has defended its use of a real-world location, the Bolivian government's response highlights the potential consequences of such decisions.

The controversy also extends to the game's accompanying documentary about the drug trade in Bolivia and South America. While more factual than the game, the documentary was still criticised in Bolivia for its sensationalised portrayal of the issue. This suggests that the issue is not solely about accuracy but also about the representation of Bolivia in popular culture, which has the potential to shape global perceptions of the country.

Overall, the Bolivian government's reaction to Ghost Recon: Wildlands highlights the complexities of representing real-world locations and issues in video games and other media. While Ubisoft has defended its creative choices, the backlash from Bolivia suggests that there may be a need for more sensitivity and cultural awareness in the production of such content.

The game's portrayal of Bolivia as a narco-state

The game Ghost Recon Wildlands is set in Bolivia, which is portrayed as a "narco-state" under the control of a Mexican drug cartel. The game's story involves Bolivia becoming the world's largest producer of cocaine, making $2 billion a week. While the game is fictional, the portrayal of Bolivia as a narco-state has caused significant controversy and offended many people in the country. The Bolivian government even made a formal complaint to the French embassy about the game, threatening legal action.

In reality, Bolivia has played a significant role in the international cocaine trade, especially in the 1980s when it was the second-largest grower of coca leaves, which are used to produce cocaine. The country supplied approximately 15% of the US cocaine market during this period, and the drug trade had a detrimental impact on Bolivia's economy and society. However, Bolivia has avoided the infiltration of brutal drug cartels as seen in Mexico and Colombia, and the country has made efforts to eradicate coca cultivation and combat drug trafficking.

The term "narco-state" refers to a country where legitimate institutions are penetrated and controlled by the power and wealth of the illegal drug trade. This term was first used to describe Bolivia following the 1980 coup of Luis García Meza, which was allegedly financed by narcotics traffickers. Bolivia's cocaine industry has been linked to corruption within the government, military, and security services. However, the country has also made efforts to combat the drug trade, including signing agreements with the United States and implementing eradication programs.

While Ubisoft, the developer of Ghost Recon Wildlands, has stressed that the game is purely fictional, the portrayal of Bolivia as a narco-state has been criticized for being inaccurate and offensive. The game's release was accompanied by a documentary about the drug trade in Bolivia and South America, which was also criticized for its sensationalized portrayal of the issue. The controversy surrounding the game raises questions about the responsibility of video game companies to accurately portray the settings and cultures they use in their products.

The accuracy of the game's landscapes and culture

Bolivia is a landlocked country in west-central South America, known for its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. The country is bordered by Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Peru, and shares Lake Titicaca with the latter. Bolivia's landscapes vary from towering mountains to fertile basins, arid deserts, and dense rainforests. The country's cultural heritage is influenced by indigenous traditions, colonial legacies, and contemporary influences, creating a captivating fusion of ancient customs and modern expressions.

The video game Ghost Recon Wildlands, set in Bolivia, sparked controversy for its inaccurate portrayal of the country as a "narco-state" under the control of a drug cartel. While Ubisoft, the game's developer, defended its choice of setting by citing Bolivia's diverse landscapes and rich culture, the Bolivian government issued a formal complaint, threatening legal action.

Bolivia's landscapes range from the towering Andes mountains, including the famous Illimani and Sajama volcanoes, to the fertile Amazon basin, home to indigenous groups such as the Guarani. The country boasts ethereal landscapes, from the otherworldly Uyuni Salt Flats to the blood-red lagoons and fields of giant cacti. The Valle de la Luna, or "Moon Valley," near La Paz, offers a prehistoric alien landscape with its craggy canyons and lifeless caverns. The Siloli Desert, an extension of the Atacama Desert in Chile, is known for its barren and isolated terrain, giving visitors a sense of explorative travel.

Bolivia's cultural landscape is deeply rooted in the traditions of its indigenous populations, including the Aymara, Quechua, and Guarani peoples. These communities have preserved their languages, spiritual beliefs, and artistic expressions, such as intricate textiles and feather headdresses. The country's cultural tapestry is also enriched by the legacy of Spanish colonization, evident in the magnificent colonial-era churches, plazas, and architecture of cities like Sucre and Potosi.

In conclusion, while Ghost Recon Wildlands caused controversy for its portrayal of Bolivia, the country's landscapes and culture are indeed captivating and diverse. From the majestic mountains of the Andes to the vibrant festivals and artistic expressions, Bolivia offers a unique blend of ancient traditions and contemporary influences that make it a fascinating destination for exploration and cultural appreciation.

The game's fictional elements

The video game Ghost Recon: Wildlands by Ubisoft is set in Bolivia, which is depicted as a "narco-state" controlled by a Mexican drug cartel. While the game is set in the real-world country of Bolivia, the storyline is entirely fictional. Bolivia is indeed one of the largest producers of coca leaves, which are used to make cocaine, but the country has not been taken over by a drug cartel as portrayed in the game.

The game's release was accompanied by a documentary about the drug trade in Bolivia and South America, which also drew criticism for its sensationalized portrayal of the issue. Despite the controversy, Ubisoft maintained that the game is a work of fiction and is not intended to represent the reality of life in Bolivia. The company chose Bolivia for its diverse landscapes and rich culture, and even conducted extensive research trips to capture the spirit of the place.

The fictional elements of Ghost Recon: Wildlands include the presence of a powerful Mexican drug cartel that turns Bolivia into a "narco-state," holding sway over the government and its people. This portrayal is inaccurate as, in reality, Bolivia has avoided the infiltration of brutal drug cartels as seen in other countries. While the country undoubtedly plays a role in the international cocaine trade, it has not reached the extreme depiction shown in the game.

In addition to the inaccurate storyline, players have also pointed out other fictional elements in the game. For example, the accents, clothing, and music in the game do not accurately represent Bolivian culture. These discrepancies highlight the challenges of portraying a real-world location in a fictional setting, especially when it comes to cultural and regional specifics.

The controversy surrounding Ghost Recon: Wildlands raises important questions about the responsibility of video game developers in accurately portraying the people and places they depict. As video games become more advanced and realistic, there is an increasing expectation for them to respectfully and authentically represent the locations they are set in.

Frequently asked questions