A fairer protagonist?

[emptyother]

It is an even bigger lack of female protagonists in believable, practical clothing.

And i wish there was more male protagonists with an average body-build (without looking like a kid). They need more Gordon Freemen!

 

[thebobmaster_v1legacy]

Make that 8. I just remember Ruby from "Wet". Remember? That Taratino based game from last year? No?

And on a related note, Hibana is a good example of how to design a female character to be feminine without being sexual. Here's a picture of her.

....You're kidiing right?

See my explanation up above. And I suppose I shouldn't have said "Without being sexual". I just meant to point out that she is designed without the designer feeling the need to expose part of her breasts, or give her gigantic knockers/

 

[Thaliur]

Make that 8. I just remember Ruby from "Wet". Remember? That Taratino based game from last year? No?

And on a related note, Hibana is a good example of how to design a female character to be feminine without being sexual. Here's a picture of her.

....You're kidiing right?

See my explanation up above. And I suppose I shouldn't have said "Without being sexual". I just meant to point out that she is designed without the designer feeling the need to expose part of her breasts, or give her gigantic knockers/

True, and the skin-tight suit that seems to show every detail of her body (can't tell if it really does, since her front is not shown. The back appears to be complete though) is obviously not intended to be make her look genercally sexy. (/sarcasm)

 

[thebobmaster_v1legacy]

Make that 8. I just remember Ruby from "Wet". Remember? That Taratino based game from last year? No?

And on a related note, Hibana is a good example of how to design a female character to be feminine without being sexual. Here's a picture of her.

....You're kidiing right?

See my explanation up above. And I suppose I shouldn't have said "Without being sexual". I just meant to point out that she is designed without the designer feeling the need to expose part of her breasts, or give her gigantic knockers/

True, and the skin-tight suit that seems to show every detail of her body (can't tell if it really does, since her front is not shown. The back appears to be complete though) is obviously not intended to be make her look genercally sexy. (/sarcasm)

There's a difference between sensual, sexy, and slutty, though. Again, I made a bad choice of words by saying it wasn't sexual. That was in error. However, she is at least mostly accurately dressed for what she is. She's a ninja, she wears little protection and tight clothing.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

Make that 8. I just remember Ruby from "Wet". Remember? That Taratino based game from last year? No?

And on a related note, Hibana is a good example of how to design a female character to be feminine without being sexual. Here's a picture of her.

....You're kidiing right?

See my explanation up above. And I suppose I shouldn't have said "Without being sexual". I just meant to point out that she is designed without the designer feeling the need to expose part of her breasts, or give her gigantic knockers/

True, and the skin-tight suit that seems to show every detail of her body (can't tell if it really does, since her front is not shown. The back appears to be complete though) is obviously not intended to be make her look genercally sexy. (/sarcasm)

She is also in a ridiculous 'sexy pose' I mean who would ever stand like that... constant back ache lol.

 

[DementedSheep]

It practically painted on and leaves little to the imagination. Sure it could be worse but hardy not sexualised. Aside from having her face covered she looks fairly typical of female protagonist to me, even the way she is standing. Granted it might fit with the style of game. I don't know.

 

[thebobmaster_v1legacy]

All right, fair enough. I was wrong. Very wrong. Let's move on with the discussion, shall we?

 

[Realitycrash]

Rare? I knew several (which I will bring up later, I'm at a lecture atm). My issue is how they are portrayed (then again, men are portrayed rather silly as well).

 

[Zhukov]

And on a related note, Hibana is a good example of how to design a female character to be feminine without being sexual. Here's a picture of her.

...

Oh, come on. Really?

- Skin tight costume. And no, being a ninja is no excuse. Super-tight clothing does not make for easy movement unless it's made of something stretchy. Besides, it still doesn't explain why she wearing highly visible contrasting colours.
- Nice lacy bits, present for the sole purpose of showing some skin.
- The good ol' display-arse-and-breasts-in-one-shot pose.

She might be a brilliant character, I don't know, I've never played the game. But non-sexualized? Ha!

 

[dimensional]

Arcana Hearts series
Summoner series
Fatal Frame series
Trapt
Okami (female)
Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Crimson Tears
RE: Code Veronica X
Red Ninja: End of Honor
Death by Degrees
Fear effect 2
Perfect Dark
Bloodrayne

Few more there for you, there is actually quite a lot to be fair and loads more if you factor in ones where you have to play as a female for some sections or are given the choice but I feel games are still trying to get over their past. Simple stories and plots like rescue the princess are a timeworn formula (and not just in games) this really only classically works with a male lead and although it is changing it is still largely a male dominated industry.

As for the portrayal in so much as what they look like I dont think it will ever stop being unrealistic nor (maybe) should it I can see mr and mrs average everyday I dont want them in my games yes for some (games) it can work but making youre character sexy/cute/macho/effeminate/whatever usually makes them more exciting to play as (or at least different from your every day life) and if they look completely ridiculous and characitured (if thats a word) then they can get away with doing ridiculous stuff easier too. Film also does not usually have a realistic portrayal of characters (plenty of exceptions of course and I have no doubt games will go the same way)

 

[Kurokami]

Well. Obvious answer is obvious. Most people like to play something they can relate to or want to be. Traditionally gaming has been a man/boy-dominated pasttime, hence most main characters are male.

Personally I wouldnt mind more female protagonists. Despite some glaring flaws I enjoyed the hell out of Heavenly sword for example. And I often make my main character in RPGs female. DA:O and Mass Effect to name a few.

Lets not forget that a woman getting punched is often seen as harsh where as a man getting punched is just meh-well.

There are plenty of reasons why most characters are male, doesn't necessarily make it right, but to be frank I would much rather play a male character. (Would be nice for those who wish to play female characters to be able to do so as well)

 

[York_Beckett]

I can think of a few at the top of my head... In the Siren games, there are several female characters to play as, and since the Siren games haven't really got a main protagonist, I suppose that counts. Almost all the characters tend to play a part, big or small, to the essential plot. Some have their own stories, some help developing other stories.

Another one is Venetica, which seems to have a good female protagonist. While I haven't actually played it myself, it does look like fun.

Pirates: Legend of Black Kat has a female protagonist, and a good one too! (don't let the "sales with sex appeal" boxart fool you, it's actually a great game.)

Then there is X-Blades. ... Let's just say we won't be questioning her gender at the end of the game, because they sure do remind us of it. Not that I'm complaining... (I'll leave that for the rest of the game.)

Oh, and Okami! Yeah, Ammy is a wolf, but female nonetheless.

 

[ChupathingyX]

Lets not forget that a woman getting punched is often seen as harsh where as a man getting punched is just meh-well.

Well yeah maybe in real life, as for video games I don't think I've ever seen someone complain about female characters being bashed or killed.

I haven't seen anyone ever complain about this...


Of course that video only shows female characters, those particular moves can be performed on anyone. The Dynasty and Samurai Warriors series in particular never make a big deal about people dying, not even females, everyone is treated...err..."fairly".

 

[Bob_Dobb]

Well there is also the woman from some Jurrasic Park who had her health bar on her jugs :3.

 

[Justice4L]

Well, I was ninja'd to Perfect Dark, but the protagonist in that is quite special as she is in an FPS. It is rare to find female protagonists, but even rarer to find a female protagonist in an FPS. I guess that is because exploding cars, bullets puncturing through people and helicopters crashing is a bit of a guy thing.

I don't know if the protagonist in Perfect Dark is sexualised though, as the graphics couldn't really make anything look sexy.

 

[Infernai]

Earlier today, I bought a PS2 game called "Nightshade". In it, you play a female ninja, or kunoichi, named Hibana. The reason I bring this up is it made me realize how few games have you play exclusively as female characters. Quite a few games have a female option, but how many require you to play a female?

Off the top of my head, all I can think of are Tomb Raider, Metroid, and Syphon Filter. And even then, the last one's main character is male, but the sequels have parts requiring you to play female side characters.

Why is it so rare for females to be the sole, or even main, protagonist? And why is it that a female protagonist is so rare?

On a side note, buy Nightshade. It is a hidden gem.

HOLY! SHIT! Somebody has actually played one of the Playstation 2 shinobi games besides me!? I AM THOROUGHLY IMPRESSED! Still, Hibana's cool...but she ain't got Shit on Hotsuma unfortunately.

On topic: Well, i honestly don't mind Female protagonists...what i do mind is if their sole purpose is to be fanservice or just downright eye-candy/sexy all the time. Like any man i like to see sexy things but "I'm immune to any callous attempt to touch my heart via my wrinkly undercarriage" (Yahtzee, Bayonetta Review). Am i saying a female character can't be sexy? No. But, they need to have a personality and actual proper motivations as well as a damned good set of combat skills if they want me to like them. This is the same for male characters and i don't see why it should be any different.

So in short, yes, i'm all for seeing more Female lead Protagonists..but try to make them actual characters and not just for the sole purpose of selling it to people based on what character design can make the sexiest cover art.

 

[Vault101]

I'm going to quote something I saw on facebook a while ago, its about female characters in the FPS genre.

Its harder to concentrate on shooting guys when there's a pair of pixellated breasts at the bottom of the screen

Ah, here comes the flaming! I'm stepping out, I may be some time.

yeah..just dont have breats (I mean you know, huge fan service things)...as in Zoe from left 4 dead

anyway while there are good female charachters in games..the OP is right, hardly any actual non-optinal female protagonists...only one i can think of is Jade from beyond good and evil

 

[tobyornottoby]

Perfect Dark

Oh yeah, that's a nice one. Also not all that sexualized, at least in the original N64 version.

I don't know if the protagonist in Perfect Dark is sexualised though, as the graphics couldn't really make anything look sexy.

Lara Croft.

 

[Feylynn]

Um Jammer Lammy!
Folklore
American McGee's Alice and it's sequel.
Mirror's Edge
Beyond Good and Evil

Save for a couple of the unlockable costumes those female's are designed fairly modestly and believably as well.

 

[Vault101]

Perfect Dark

Oh yeah, that's a nice one. It's also not all that sexualized. She even has short hair.

short "sexy" hair as I recall from the "current" gen one (perfect dark zero?)..not like a cut that obviously belongs in a guy