There is a nearly even distribution between protagonist and antagonist American Indian characters in the works I studied, if one does not take into consideration how there is usually a near-endless horde of “bloodthirsty savage” American Indian minor characters. The importance of the positioning of an American Indian character as either a protagonist or antagonist cannot be overstated to the overall significance and perceptions of the character, especially with regards to the traditional stereotypical portrayals and how to improve them in the future. Antagonist American Indian characters are almost always violent and portrayed as a threat not just to the white hero of the story but also to white civilization as a whole. Protagonist American Indian characters are almost always a helper for the white hero, whether as sidekick or an informant or a bodyguard. The meanings of both of these roles are modulated by the character’s status as main character or minor character, as discussed previously.
An area that is questionable for the overall meaning of American Indians in ACIII is that it is a game in a genre that requires violence of the main character, leading Ratonhnhaké:ton to embody portions of the “Bad Indian” stereotype. If ACIII was not an action game in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, Ratonhnhaké:ton may have been more free to pursue actions and policies that could have benefited and protected his people without becoming a mass murderer in the process. The stereotypes he embodies specifically are the “bloodthirsty” and “savage” aspects due to the amount of murders he commits to further the plot. However, even with this component of violence, Ratonhnhaké:ton is the hero of the story and is therefore justified in committing violence in the service of the fledgling United States. Ratonhnhaké:ton is firmly a protagonist in the narrative of ACIII. That status of protagonist, and especially the ability of the player to control Ratonhnhaké:ton’s actions in the game medium and therefore identify with him, are what prevents Ratonhnhaké:ton from being just another negatively stereotyped bloodthirsty, savage American Indian.
Assassin’s Creed III cinematic trailer: content warning for violence. This clip highlights the focus on violence committed by Ratonhnhaké:ton in the game, excused by his positioning as a hero for the American Revolution.