A preface: I understand that there have been eleventy billion and one topics about homophobia here on the Escapist. However, this particular issue strikes me as being beyond the pale, and I feel it worthy of its own topic.
Now, with that out of the way....
Those familiar with the Oblivion Modding scene may know the name AlienSlof. She- yes, this is a woman who creates Mods for Oblivion, as well as Morrowind and Fallout 3- has been having a problem for years. You see, apparently there is a rather large and extremely vocal male segment of the gaming community who has harassed her, posted derogatory messages in forums she frequented, and generally been obtusely ignorant.
Why? Because AlienSlof makes nude, anatomically correct male models, and clothing and armor accentuating such.
Again, anyone familiar with the Oblivion Modding scene knows that there are absolutely no shortage of nude FEMALE models, and armor/clothing for such, available for download. However, it seems that creating and posting a model that possesses a penis is just absolutely outrageous to the abovementioned clique, and they have gone out of their way to decry AlienSlof's work, calling it "gay" (OBVIOUSLY not understanding the term), "girly", and other demeaning names wherever these Mods appeared. To these people, the Modding scene is a boys' club where only T&A are allowed, and anyone who dares break "the rules" is harassed and ridiculed.
So, last night, AlienSlof deleted all of her Mods from her site and every public download site where they had been hosted. She says that the harassment has affected her already poor health and she will no longer take the abuse for what was once, to her, an enjoyable hobby upon which she spent her free time. And she is well within her rights to do so, as it is her work, her health and her life.
I, for one, am infuriated by this. It seems that the early-teen pocket-mining little-boy homophobe club has scored a victory in their crusade to ensure that they never have to endure the sight of an actual penis while they search for ever-more-unrealistic female nude Mods for their games. As collateral damage, the rest of us- you know, reasonable people who know we can just skip those things we find undesirable or objectionable- lose access to the works of a talented Modder, three of whose Mods I use in my current Oblivion setup.
I know that I'm screaming my rage at the storm, and I'll no doubt get a number of replies to the effect of "what do you want, there's nothing you can do". But when the bullshit gets this thick- when someone's health is affected simply because they don't cater to the whims of the "bewbz nau" crowd- I honestly have to say SOMEthing.
Gaming has enough enemies as it stands. It doesn't need to be torn apart from the inside by underdeveloped, immature brats who think that everyone owes them something.
Now, with that out of the way....
Those familiar with the Oblivion Modding scene may know the name AlienSlof. She- yes, this is a woman who creates Mods for Oblivion, as well as Morrowind and Fallout 3- has been having a problem for years. You see, apparently there is a rather large and extremely vocal male segment of the gaming community who has harassed her, posted derogatory messages in forums she frequented, and generally been obtusely ignorant.
Why? Because AlienSlof makes nude, anatomically correct male models, and clothing and armor accentuating such.
Again, anyone familiar with the Oblivion Modding scene knows that there are absolutely no shortage of nude FEMALE models, and armor/clothing for such, available for download. However, it seems that creating and posting a model that possesses a penis is just absolutely outrageous to the abovementioned clique, and they have gone out of their way to decry AlienSlof's work, calling it "gay" (OBVIOUSLY not understanding the term), "girly", and other demeaning names wherever these Mods appeared. To these people, the Modding scene is a boys' club where only T&A are allowed, and anyone who dares break "the rules" is harassed and ridiculed.
So, last night, AlienSlof deleted all of her Mods from her site and every public download site where they had been hosted. She says that the harassment has affected her already poor health and she will no longer take the abuse for what was once, to her, an enjoyable hobby upon which she spent her free time. And she is well within her rights to do so, as it is her work, her health and her life.
I, for one, am infuriated by this. It seems that the early-teen pocket-mining little-boy homophobe club has scored a victory in their crusade to ensure that they never have to endure the sight of an actual penis while they search for ever-more-unrealistic female nude Mods for their games. As collateral damage, the rest of us- you know, reasonable people who know we can just skip those things we find undesirable or objectionable- lose access to the works of a talented Modder, three of whose Mods I use in my current Oblivion setup.
I know that I'm screaming my rage at the storm, and I'll no doubt get a number of replies to the effect of "what do you want, there's nothing you can do". But when the bullshit gets this thick- when someone's health is affected simply because they don't cater to the whims of the "bewbz nau" crowd- I honestly have to say SOMEthing.
Gaming has enough enemies as it stands. It doesn't need to be torn apart from the inside by underdeveloped, immature brats who think that everyone owes them something.
