Can't Escape the Irony

[archabaddon]

Since there's no forum for discussing the Escapist website or social outlets (FB, Twitter, YouTube, etc.), I'll just review one of their recent FB posts here, I suppose.

Lately, the Escapist has run a lot of articles discussing, and overal deriding, the objectification of women in video games. So today, when I saw this on their Facebook page:

(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151589321719591)

This happened:

The pic in question is from the "Sexy Princess Leia Car Wash" held by the 501st in 2010. Although the proceeds from the event when to charity, I'm sure that the state of undress had nothing to do with patronizing of the event. Nothing at all.

So, I guess it's OK to post to this sort of thing as long as you let everyone know how bad it is. Except when you don't even do that. Certainly, it was meant to be a Happy Friday message, with a picture lifted from somewhere off the net (with accrediting the originating photographer or site). It was probably meant to be no more offensive than a sexy witch character in a side-scrolling fantasy action game (wink wink). However, the irony of using the image in question is certainly palpable, in my personal opinion.

Sometimes I wonder if the right hand at The Escapist knows what the left is doing.

Thoughts?

 

[holdthephone]

I don't much follow anything on the Escapist, but I'd have to assume features are written by individual writers that don't speak for the entirety of the site, let alone their social media feed. That's just my assumption, though. I don't really know how they operate around here.

That Padme is pretty smoking, though.

 

[Daft Time]

Honestly? A lot of the Escapist is just picking what might resonate with nerd public and attract page views, instead of conforming to any set of values.

Except piracy, they'll crucify you for doing anything more than mentioning it. Zero tolerance policy are awesome, am I right?

Articles published on the Escapist can not reflect the Escapist because the Escapist is only a hub for content. While individual contributors - or even groups of contributors - may have a certain set of values and integrity, the site itself doesn't. The only reason the website exists is to make money, and they do that they they need people to view advertisements.

It just happens to be that the Escapist is generally puts out content worth consuming, and provide are relatively nice environment.

 

[templar1138a]

That's not irony. Irony would be if the carwash was done by women related to those working for the Escapist who've had the most to say recently in the Boob Wars, and said related women had agreed on a Star Wars theme but hadn't coordinated their costumes. And if every driver who got their car washed was a gay Trekkie.

 

[Vetta E-dom]

Yeah some women "Choosing" to take part in an event of their own volition, shows the hypocrisy of a media outlet which discusses the problematic representation of women, whose sole purpose in some games is to fulfill some sort of male fanservice.

You're right the Irony is off the charts... As in nonexistant, its not even the right word.

 

[VoidWanderer]

The only ironic thing is that the 501st (Darth Vader's Fist) is using Princess Leia and Padme costumes...

 

[templar1138a]

The only ironic thing is that the 501st (Darth Vader's Fist) is using Princess Leia and Padme costumes...

I sense a disturbance in the Force. Somewhere, someone is writing up some very disturbing fan-fiction inspired by that very concept.

 

[Vetta E-dom]

Yeah some women "Choosing" to take part in an event of their own volition, shows the hypocrisy of a media outlet which discusses the problematic representation of women, whose sole purpose in some games is to fulfill some sort of male fanservice.

You're right the Irony is off the charts... As in nonexistant, its not even the right word.

They also whine about things like booth babes, which are exactly the same thing. Women voluntarily taking part in an event to draw in more interest.

Whine- Is not the same as discussing. Its one thing if you don't agree with their stance, its another thing to disrespect them because you believe differently.

On topic the difference would be at a convo/E3 setting the game is the thing being sold not," O hay come here we have hot Chick", whereas Sexy Princess car wash..... I mean what about that is hard to Understand..... Sexy, Princess, Car, Wash.. The event is what it is, because thats what it is. Sexy princess is what's being sold.

 

[Vetta E-dom]

Yeah some women "Choosing" to take part in an event of their own volition, shows the hypocrisy of a media outlet which discusses the problematic representation of women, whose sole purpose in some games is to fulfill some sort of male fanservice.

You're right the Irony is off the charts... As in nonexistant, its not even the right word.

They also whine about things like booth babes, which are exactly the same thing. Women voluntarily taking part in an event to draw in more interest.

Whine- Is not the same as discussing. Its one thing if you don't agree with their stance, its another thing to disrespect them because you believe differently.

There are some contributors that discuss it yes, and there are some who just whine about it, or repost stories because sensationalism!

And it was a Star Wars themed charity car wash, it was the Star Wars theme being sold, the sexy princesses were just one nifty part of it, there were also folks in storm trooper armor washing cars too, and vader was rinsing the cars!

The sexy princesses were a bonus, just like the E3 booth babes. Still women, voluntarily doing something in skimpy outfits.

Ok, so its star wars themed car wash, lets see the breakdown; Star Wars -Check, Princess Leia slave outfit falls under that category, as well as any of the other costumes. Car wash - cars getting washed, and since its car wash there is usually/unavoidably sexy bikinis. There's a certain sort of logic that this is still flowing.

Whereas E3 is a semi-closed press conference for Tech/and games in an industry that is trying to change face and not only apply to the single 13-20 something Male demographic, putting booth babes somewhat defeats a tone of inclusiveness, (I for one have no problem with them, if its a deal to you then let the company know)

What this really boils down to is average 13-20 something male gets angry that gaming is no longer "HIS" thing, and gets mad at all the discussion of females in games. Sees an image of some girls in skimpy outfits and thinks hes undercut the entire argument of the opposition, and tries to rally the Mobs.