College Essay: Survey - Assistance Needed

[Spolodaface]

I'm working on a college (@Americans: From UK so not University) essay entitled "How are Heroes and Heroines represented in video games? A study of the role and function of the hero in contemporary video games.". As part of my research, I am carrying out a survey on the subject - and who better to ask than the good forumgoers at the Escapist to take part. Your particiaption will be greatly appreciated, and will contribute to my essay which will, once completed; be published at GameOnYou.co.uk

It'll only take a few minutes and I ask - Would you kindly take my survey?

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228D2RQPJLC

Thanks

 

[Strafe Mcgee]

Certainly, as long as you do my own survey which is likely to turn up in the near future on the development of narrative within games

 

[Amnestic]

Sure, no problem.

First criticism: Heroine #7, you would have done better getting a picture of her from her respective game, as opposed to the upcoming CG film she's in which isn't out yet.

Second: Question 6 is a "which", where it should possibly be "How many"

Other than that, not bad, kinda emphasised I don't know character's names as well as I perhaps should, but I took it anyway. Good luck with your essay.

 

[The Iron Ninja]

Don't mind if I do...

For the names of characters I didn't know I wrote "no idea" instead of leaving them blank, hope that doesn't screw anything up.

 

[Spolodaface]

Yeah, I was running out of ideas for heroines by the time I got to number 7. Unfortunately the people I am hosting the survey with don't allow me to change textual or pictoral mistakes after launching the survey. Thanks for taking the survey.

Oh, and Strafe McGee, I'd be happy to take your survey when it's up

Don't mind if I do...

For the names of characters I didn't know I wrote "no idea" instead of leaving them blank, hope that doesn't screw anything up.

No problem with that. I need to count the textual answers by hand anyway. Will take a long time

 

[k_rafftry]

Done and dusted! I am ashamed I don't know as many heroines as I do heroes, how sexist of me!

 

[Dr Spaceman]

Two questions for the OP:

First, what kind of class are you taking that you get to conduct an academic survey into video games? (I never got to do that when I was in college!)

Secondly, at the risk of not giving too much away, are you looking at gender roles in video games (which would be a fascinating topic) or just at generic heroes? I could see the survey going either way, and I hope you publish the results once you're done.

 

[Dr Spaceman]

OK, I'm going shorthand now:

- Too many alpha males & females
- Too much influence from Hollywood (whereas before it was from sci-fi & fantasy novels)
- Too much pandering to casual, Western, white, male, teen audiences
- Undesirable traits in most modern heroes (misogyny, assholery, badassery)
- I prefer older heroes
- Fei Fong Wong ftw

I agree with just about all of your points, but I would like to say that I like having heroes with undesirable traits. Over the top "badassery" (read: Gears of War) is kind of annoying, but heroes with dark pasts or gigantic character flaws can be much more interesting than Hero Mr. Goody Two-Shoes.

I'm just thinking about this now because I've been watching The Wire lately and it's fascinating the way there are heroes and villains on both sides of the drug war. I think it creates more realistic heroes and villains that are easier to identify with.

 

[Spolodaface]

Two questions for the OP:

First, what kind of class are you taking that you get to conduct an academic survey into video games? (I never got to do that when I was in college!)

Secondly, at the risk of not giving too much away, are you looking at gender roles in video games (which would be a fascinating topic) or just at generic heroes? I could see the survey going either way, and I hope you publish the results once you're done.

I'm studying Media Studies at A-level (useless subject, I know) and I got the chance to do an essay on a subject of my own choosing. There were some pre-written questions which is what most people took, but the only rules really for your question is that it needs to examine representation. Pretty simple really. I wrote the question then my lecturer suggested I examine the idea of female characters too, so I obliged as it'll give me more direction in my writing.

Everything will be published once i'm done. I'll publish not only my essay but the raw data for those who have an interest.

 

[Dr Spaceman]

A dark past is a desirable trait!

(As are certain character flaws.)

Gotcha. I guess I read into it that since the above three were negatives, I assumed the fourth was as well. Glad to see we're on the same page.

I'm studying Media Studies at A-level (useless subject, I know) and I got the chance to do an essay on a subject of my own choosing. There were some pre-written questions which is what most people took, but the only rules really for your question is that it needs to examine representation. Pretty simple really. I wrote the question then my lecturer suggested I examine the idea of female characters too, so I obliged as it'll give me more direction in my writing.

Everything will be published once i'm done. I'll publish not only my essay but the raw data for those who have an interest.

In my opinion, I think that a paper on the place of female characters in gaming would be really interesting way to go with your topic, and your survey would probably give good data on how to proceed.

 

[Maet]

If I didn't know their names, I just typed "Protagonist from _________." Also, are you sharing this survey with any other group of people? There's a clear bias that can't be avoided when you give a gaming culture survey to gaming people. It's like asking people who are currently dining at a steakhouse if steak is their favourite meal.

 

[Zaleznikel]

For question five, are you asking us who we'd like to play as based on game or their picture alone?

 

[GenHellspawn]

At the question that asked me to describe the perfect hero, I put two words.

Spoiler: .

Duke Nukem

 

[gamebrain89]

Happy to help. I knew alot, but most of the heroines were from games I never played, but I knew the majority.

Any character that I care about by the end of the game is my ideal hero or heroine. I don't give a flying fart in space about gender. Though I will admit I enjoy staring at Laura Croft from behind more than at a guy.

 

[TsunamiWombat]

For my perfect hero I described Alyx Vance.

Episode 2 Spoiler

Spoiler

In episode 2, after you and the Vortigaunts saved her from being very nearly killed by the hunter, and she's taking her first weakened steps- I felt a genuine pity and concern for her as she weakly walked and leaned on the Vortigaunt for support. I was suprised by it- just a sublte indication of vulnerability ticked off admiration for the character in me. Also, in Episode 1, when she was kicking the crap out of Zombines with her bare hands- yeah, that was awesome. I want her gun :\ She's a useful ally and i'm glad to have her around (slightly less useful in combine shootouts, but then she isn't wearing the armor hmm?}

 

[LordCraigus]

I hope mine went through OK, I named 'every nameless little soldier in strategy games' as my favourite video-game hero.

 

[goodman528]

I hope mine went through OK, I named 'every nameless little soldier in strategy games' as my favourite video-game hero.

I agree with you. Salute! The nameless soldier.