Girl Gamer's Opinion

[Blayze]

In short, the gaming industry needs some more females.

What the gaming industry needs is for people like you to stop crying about it. Want it to change? Change it yourself. Don't cry about it on a forum.

The only time women will get equal respect in the gaming community is when we fund our own gaming company and create games for the female demographic

And when you say "female demographic", what exactly do you mean? Because players - both male and female - play games from every genre. I don't see a need to make games for any form of demographic that isn't "people who would like to play this game".

and portrayed play up their status as sex objects.

What else have they got? Feminism's pretty much laid the smackdown on femininity these days, to the point where it's seen as a weakness in much of society. When femininity is stripped away, what else remains? The same shallow, 2D characters as before (Let's not beat around the bush here: Most game characters are 2D cliches), just with tits to let people know which ones are male and which are female (Especially in JRPG land, where the women are usually the most masculine-looking characters in the party).

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

This is why I reckon damn near every game should have a create-a-character function.

It pisses me off that I can never see a female character who isn't one of those irritating tough-gals or a brainless "me am so pretty" bimbo, both of which tend to have a bust size that defys all reason. I feel sorry for the backs of those characters. And why don't they wear any clothes? Perhaps it's to make them even more annoying. It damn sure isn't attractive. And am I the only one who thinks the two of them are just as bad?

Y'know, I don't understand why the gaming industry seems to be so determined to drive girls away. I have never met a gamer girl in person, but I guess that's because I live in gaming hell. And I don't get why guys get pissed when a girl beats them at a game, either. But then again I'm one of those weirdos raised by single women that actualy believes that the only real, non-society set difference between men and women is their sexual organs.

I really want to play a game where the main character is a reasonably sized woman with flaws, actual human emotions and a personality. It's been a long time since I've seen a proper heroine.

EDIT: Yes, I know that there's just as much man-flesh out there, but at least you don't have to choose between bad-ass and bimbo. There are loads of males with quirks and beliveable flaws, and about two women. And it doesn't really bother me that the men in games are all muscly and fit, because I myself am fat and I never want to play an overweight character. Why would I want the main character to share a trait with me that I despise?

 

[TheLoneOne]

you wanna know why things are as they are? you said it. the vast majority of gamers are male, therefore, since sex sells, it'd be easy to sell games with a female protagonist if she's drop dead gorgeous. If the market for your idea of a female protagonist is big enough, you may see those games on shelves. But unfortunately for you, until that day comes, you'll just have to deal with what's on the market til things change.

 

[Theo Samaritan]

I kinda have to point out most of the examples I can think of were developed by Japanese companies or in a style emulating that of japanese companies...

Also I don't know anyone in the PC community that stares blankley at girl gamers anymore. Perhaps stop using xbox live as a benchmark?

Sorry this post sounds harsh but your argument seems more of a rant than an opinion.

 

[LordCraigus]

But then again I'm one of those weirdos raised by single women that actualy believes that the only real, non-society set difference between men and women is their sexual organs.

No I definitely think the minds work differently, men tend to think more logically while woman more emotionally. That could go to explain why most guys see attractive women as sex objects, whereas most women seem to care more about personality (at least they say they do)... and I hate to have to keep saying something like 'of course there's always exceptions, big and small' at the end of every statement I make but I'm afraid too many people seem to take opinions as blunt unless I inform them that I'm keeping my mind open.

 

[Alex_P]

I don't think the issue at hand is whether or not videogames have exaggerated depictions of both masculinity and femininity. The issue is who these depictions are servicing. And I think Mudora's complaint is that all these games are made with a male player in mind.

Sure, many male characters in videogames have completely unrealistic physical statures that only a few of us, such as myself, will ever achieve. However we live vicariously through these images - they provide escapism from the doldrums of our banal physical realities and forms of dress.

Female characters don't provide this escapism for women, they provide men with the escapist belief they can have or control a highly sexualized attractive woman. Let's not fool ourselves, female characters in videogames largely exist for the voyeuristic pleasures of male players. The ways in which female videogame players are enhanced and portrayed play up their status as sex objects.

Maybe some female gamers are fine with that, but there seem to be a growing chorus of voices asking for female videogame characters that portray the fantasies of a woman.

I really like your post. It's everything I've been trying to say in these discussions but, like, way better.

Only thing I want to add is that male and female fantasy don't really have to be exclusive (though some of them are). Some writers, artists, and designers have been very successful at creating fantastical images -- even highly sexual ones -- with very broad appeal. It's just a lot harder than following a few stock tropes about broad shoulders and big boobs.

-- Alex

 

[HSIAMetalKing]

I don't think the issue at hand is whether or not videogames have exaggerated depictions of both masculinity and femininity. The issue is who these depictions are servicing. And I think Mudora's complaint is that all these games are made with a male player in mind.

Sure, many male characters in videogames have completely unrealistic physical statures that only a few of us, such as myself, will ever achieve. However we live vicariously through these images - they provide escapism from the doldrums of our banal physical realities and forms of dress.

Female characters don't provide this escapism for women, they provide men with the escapist belief they can have or control a highly sexualized attractive woman. Let's not fool ourselves, female characters in videogames largely exist for the voyeuristic pleasures of male players. The ways in which female videogame players are enhanced and portrayed play up their status as sex objects.

Maybe some female gamers are fine with that, but there seem to be a growing chorus of voices asking for female videogame characters that portray the fantasies of a woman.

Makes sense to me. Who's for tea?

 

[nikomas1]

Ok just for the record i dont own SC4.

Heres the develpers minds.

Guys like hot chicks, We put hot chicks in game, Guys look that way, Increases interest in game, Guys more likley to buy game.

Thats reality, Just face it

 

[maxusy3k]

Guys like big boobs-- get over it.

I don't, ty.

Also didn't TE just devote a whole issue to this like, two weeks ago?

 

[HSIAMetalKing]

Guys like big boobs-- get over it.

I don't, ty.

Of course you don't.

 

[LordCraigus]

Guys like big boobs-- get over it.

I don't, ty.

Also didn't TE just devote a whole issue to this like, two weeks ago?

This is exactly what I mean when I say people take statements too bluntly... a lot of (not all) men like an ample amount of cleavage, sound fairer to you?

 

[Librarian Mike]

I'm not sure if this is appropriate, but I saw a great video about this topic. I think it was called "Super Mario and the Sacred Feminine". It's an interesting take on female roles in video games.

 

[crono738]

I do agree with you on the Ivy reference...maybe they're really, really big tumors now...

 

[Meshakhad_v1legacy]

Not all female characters in video games are oversexualized (though I will grant you MOST of them are). Alyx Vance is the total antithesis of this.

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

But then again I'm one of those weirdos raised by single women that actualy believes that the only real, non-society set difference between men and women is their sexual organs.

No I definitely think the minds work differently, men tend to think more logically while woman more emotionally. That could go to explain why most guys see attractive women as sex objects, whereas most women seem to care more about personality (at least they say they do)... and I hate to have to keep saying something like 'of course there's always exceptions, big and small' at the end of every statement I make but I'm afraid too many people seem to take opinions as blunt unless I inform them that I'm keeping my mind open.

No, feel free to talk as you will. It's scientificly proven that both genders brains work slightly differently because of prehistoric instincts. But those differences can be overcome. Women find it more difficult to park because they can't rotate shapes in their mind as well as men can. But they can learn. My mother seems to find parking quite easy, she's better at it than most men. Same with men and searching for things. Men search for specific parts of things, like the words on the front or the shape of the object. Women search for the object as a whole. This is because men have tunnel vision, designed for hunting, whilst women have wide vision, design for protecting the nest. Men can learn to search for the whole thing by expanding their vision slightly.
So yeah, I know there are differences, more than the ones I've given, but they can all be overcome.

 

[wgreer25]

I don't think the issue at hand is whether or not videogames have exaggerated depictions of both masculinity and femininity. The issue is who these depictions are servicing. And I think Mudora's complaint is that all these games are made with a male player in mind.

Sure, many male characters in videogames have completely unrealistic physical statures that only a few of us, such as myself, will ever achieve. However we live vicariously through these images - they provide escapism from the doldrums of our banal physical realities and forms of dress.

Female characters don't provide this escapism for women, they provide men with the escapist belief they can have or control a highly sexualized attractive woman. Let's not fool ourselves, female characters in videogames largely exist for the voyeuristic pleasures of male players. The ways in which female videogame players are enhanced and portrayed play up their status as sex objects.

Maybe some female gamers are fine with that, but there seem to be a growing chorus of voices asking for female videogame characters that portray the fantasies of a woman.

Good points. I think the genre of the game (and the developer) has a lot to do with it. RPG genre has had possibly the most possitive reflection of women in video games. To name a few KOTOR, Mass Effect, Oblivion. Then you have a rare gem like Alex from Half life. Also, I was glad to see the publicity behind Jade Ramond for Assassin's Creed, but at times it seemed like she was being used a little to sell the game. So there are some good examples out there and I think there will be more in the future.

However, this is not reality, it is fantasy. Therefore everyone in Gears looks like a weightlifter, everyone in Soul Calibur is sexy... yadda yadda, they are appealing to the fantasy. I do think that this will be the case less and less as video games get more and more mainstream. And game companies are not stupid, they do market research, so they know what percentage of gamers are women, and will not be at all surprised to see some titles in the not too distant future that are realistic women who can kick some ass.

However, however, I will say that video games at least are not deceptive about their sexuality/fantasy. Movie producers have used tricks to "enhance" their actresses. For example, the movie poster for Fantastic Four and for the next Harry Potter. Jessica Alba and Emma Watson's boobs were digitally enhanced on the posters. Now that is objectifying women. A video game at least is honest about its fantasy/sex aspect. Secretly enhacing the bust size of you lead actresses on your movie poster is objectification.

Edit: to your escapism aspect, I didn't comment. Not being female, I wouldn't know if playing as say Blood Rayne is appealing or allow an escape. Or a release of frustration that a woman can kick the everliving shit out of a bunch of men. I will ask the wife.

 

[Krystallkitty]

from another girl...

yeah girls in games have big boobs, but hey, so do a lot of people in real life lately. its not that big of a deal... besides, do you really want to play as an overweight ugly character? or are you gonna pick the pretty big busted girl to play as? same goes for guys, are you gonna play as the sweaty overweight hero? or the testosterone steroid twitching bulging man thing with stubble and scars?

it goes both ways... and hey, i'll stick to laughing at my characters with chests so big that if they jump they will be knocked out by their jugs.

also,

Play more games from Bioware. Their female characters tend to be more realistic in terms of body size, looks, personality.

yes. very true, my favorite games come from this company.

 

[DeadlyFred]

I just want a chance to actually have my gender look like hero on the screen... not some stuffed up, big breasted, unrealistic, and un-identifiable lead character.

Hey, guys have the same problems with poor representation. Video games are just pretty bad in general about being anything but pretentious and stereotypical with their characters.

Though I can agree with the sentiment to the extent that not only are female characters as poorly type-cast as the rest of the characters, they're further objectified to whim of little manchild hormones.

Don't get me wrong here I'm a dude, I dig chicks, I like sex; however, things like... say the little feature they did for Red Alert 3? "The Girls of Red Alert 3" ? Just make me cringe and wonder why. Personally, I prefer strong female characters as opposed to objectified hussies wearing eye patches (not on their eyes, either). So seeing women portrayed in a less juvenile-fantasy light wouldn't be a bad change for me, either. For example, in the context of Soul Calibur 4, I find Hilde far more sexy than Ivy,