In need of help...

[mjacoby79]

Hi there -

I am working on a final project in my Mass Communications class and I need some help. I have never played video games and know nothing about them, so this project is giving me some anxiety. Please let me know if you can help...

Select five games that feature both men and women as characters. Identify the lead man and woman in each. For each of those people list the first three descriptors that come to mind as you look at them.

Are there common traits among the men? Among the women? If so, why do you think they exist? How realistic are the portrayals of the men? Of the women?

 

[Scarecrow]

Never played a video game? First time here? Only came on to ask the weird creaters about video games? What a interesting man you are....but I'm afraid I can't be of much help to you, other people may help.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

You might be interested to know that not that many games have a female lead.

EDIT: Also if there is one, they're usually pretty stereotypical, but there are a few exceptions like Alyx Vance.

 

[Bravo 21]

I agree with Sl33tbl1nd, there are not many games with a female lead, the ones that jump to mind though are the Mass Effect games, Half life 2, with Alyx Vance, and maybe splinter cell Conviction with Anna Grimsdottir, also Beyond Good and Evil. I cant think of a fifth right now, but good luck

 

[Reshkar]

Hmm a game you can choose to be both... First type of game that comes up in my mind is a Role-Playing Game.

Mass Effect: Jane and John Shepard. It's basically up to your self of what person you want to be, since there are moral choices through out the game. I'm not sure how to describe them.. as a renegade(bad guy) shepard in ME2, you're pretty much badass. But in ME1 you're more of a douchebag, in moral choices that is.

Spoiler: I don't even know what to say.. :P

 

[AquaAscension]

Didn't you say a male and a female lead? That's almost impossible man. There aren't really many (any of which I can think) which feature both a male AND a female lead. However, the main traits of male lead characters tends to be unemotional (out of necessity), strong (like Schwarzeneggar or however you spell that name strong), quiet (this kind of goes along with unemotional and strong, i.e. the strong quiet type), angry or out for revenge (almost every story has a male seeking vengence in some form or another), capable or expert in a field (which is more often than not NOT dying and killing other things [able to shoot guns way better than anyone else]). For women lead characters (the maybe 3 that there are), you have pretty much the exact same list, but you also add sexy (lots of T&A) to that aformentioned list. Yeah, it pretty much sucks and is the least "compelling" way to tell a story (since we know the archetypes and the possible plots so well - you've been wrong and so go kill someone, oops, you've been betrayed, go kill that person now because they *totally* deserve it now). It really doesn't leave much room for a character arc (i.e. change as a result of the plot) to happen. But this is just my observation and I'm not huge into games either.

 

[necromanzer52]

Lets see. Well pandemonium has 2 leads. Or do you want more recent games?

 

[Sun Flash]

Are there 5 games with a male and female lead?

I'll edit in as I think of them


ehhh, Halo [http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page]? Masterchief is your generic helmeted super soldier in space, he protects Cortana and generally kicks ass, although If it transpired the Master Chief suddenly grew a vagina, it wouldn't make me go "Oh that's a manly woman". So no, he's not really a male stereotype. Cortana, the female lead (if you can call it that) acts more "woman-like" in the games, with her having to get rescued from The Evil Lair of the Gravemind in the second game (you might want to check up on that, I don't know if I'm 100% on facts here). Although Keep in mind she is an AI, so not really a person, but she does tend to rely on MC throughout the games, which seems like stereotypical female traits?

Resident Evil (1) [http://residentevil.wikia.com/Resident_Evil_Wiki] had Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield as optional playable characters. Jill had less health but was "smarter" in that she could pick some locks, solve some puzzles, and hold more items in her inventory as well as having the better ally (Barry), which made the game easier (seeing as here was lots of stuff to pick up). Chris on the otherhand, had higher health (stronger) but needed the aid of Rebecca Chambers (another girl in the game, kind of acts as a companion) to help with puzzles.

Assassins Creed (mainly 2 and Brotherhood) [http://assassinscreed.wikia.com/wiki/Assassin's_Creed_Wiki] has Desmond Miles and Lucy Stillman. Desmond shows average traits which could apply to either gender, not overly manly but not feminine at the same time. Lucy however is shown to be on par with Desmond in skill and saves him from the evil facility that he is being held at.

But I would recommend you at least read up on each game's wiki to get a proper feel for the games, but ideally you'd buy a console and play 'em.
Also, Is it just me or does it feel like someone from the outside has descended into our dwelling, kinda like the cantina scene from star wars?

ps - good luck with your study thing

 

[ThePoodonkis]

Halo: Cortana and Master Chief
Half-Life 2: Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance
Resident Evil 5: Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar
Crash Bandicoot: Crash and Coco Bandicoot
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: Link and Midna

Look up those characters, and I think you should be okay.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Halo: Cortana and Master Chief
Half-Life 2: Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance
Resident Evil 5: Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar
Crash Bandicoot: Crash and Coco Bandicoot
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: Link and Midna

Look up those characters, and I think you should be okay.

It's probably better to look at the earlier RE's probably. Sheva was not the best character.

 

[ThePoodonkis]

Halo: Cortana and Master Chief
Half-Life 2: Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance
Resident Evil 5: Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar
Crash Bandicoot: Crash and Coco Bandicoot
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: Link and Midna

Look up those characters, and I think you should be okay.

It's probably better to look at the earlier RE's probably. Sheva was not the best character.

To be honest, I've never played a Resident Evil game, I just remember there was a man and a woman in 5.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Halo: Cortana and Master Chief
Half-Life 2: Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance
Resident Evil 5: Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar
Crash Bandicoot: Crash and Coco Bandicoot
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: Link and Midna

Look up those characters, and I think you should be okay.

It's probably better to look at the earlier RE's probably. Sheva was not the best character.

To be honest, I've never played a Resident Evil game, I just remember there was a man and a woman in 5.

Ah fair enough. And I just realised where your avatar and username is from. Good jerb there.

 

[The Great Fa]

Okay, let's see if I can't help you out.

Super Paper Mario
Male Lead - Mario. There's.......really not much to him. Mario's been around so long and is so iconic that there's really no need for him to have any kind of personality. Everyone knows he's gonna beat the bad guy, he's Mario! He's really just an avatar through which the player experiences the game. This is something that shows up A LOT in video game leads, so if you're looking for common traits that's a big one.
Female Lead - Princess Peach. Well, she's fairly simple too. Kind. Determined. Often in need of rescuing. HINT: "Women as Reward" is another BIG THEME in video games.

Golden Sun: Dark Dawn
Male Lead - Matthew. Blank slate. Another one of those avatars.
Female Lead - Karis. Intelligent. Responsible. Bit of a bully.

Thief 2: The Metal Age
Male Lead - Garret. Cynical. Selfish. Skilled.
Female Lead - Victoria. Cruel. Manipulative. Angry.

Infamous
Male Lead - Cole. Brooding. Angry. Not terribly emotive.
Female Lead - I forgot her name, but she's Cole's ex-girlfriend. Very angry. Passionate. Busy.

Saints Row 2
Male Lead - The Protagonist (he doesn't have a name). Arrogant. Violent. Incredible douche.
Female Lead - Shaundi (I think that was her name). Laid back. Intelligent. Efficient.

Well, there you go. I leave you to draw your own conclusions. Anger came up a few times, I guess it's a great motivator. I chose wildly different games for this, so you'd likely see more trends in games of similar genre or style (or even developer - I'm looking at you Bioware). Hope this helps!

 

[Layz92]

You might be interested to know that not that many games have a female lead.

EDIT: Also if there is one, they're usually pretty stereotypical, but there are a few exceptions like Alyx Vance.

Bloodrayne. As you said pretty stereotypical but there you go.

Okay, let's see if I can't help you out.

Super Paper Mario
Male Lead - Mario. There's.......really not much to him. Mario's been around so long and is so iconic that there's really no need for him to have any kind of personality. Everyone knows he's gonna beat the bad guy, he's Mario! He's really just an avatar through which the player experiences the game. This is something that shows up A LOT in video game leads, so if you're looking for common traits that's a big one.

I could guess you could say he has a pretty flat personality then... Sorry I couldn't let the chance pass me by.

 

[My name is Fiction]

Silent hill 3 - Heather, thats one one female protagonist.
Got ninja'd for Alyx vance :1

 

[NintenTim64]

Halo: Cortana and Master Chief
Half-Life 2: Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance
Resident Evil 5: Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar
Crash Bandicoot: Crash and Coco Bandicoot
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: Link and Midna

Look up those characters, and I think you should be okay.

It's probably better to look at the earlier RE's probably. Sheva was not the best character.

Maybe check out Jill Valentine from the earlier games, she plays a fairly core lead role from what I've played and read

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Halo: Cortana and Master Chief
Half-Life 2: Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance
Resident Evil 5: Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar
Crash Bandicoot: Crash and Coco Bandicoot
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: Link and Midna

Look up those characters, and I think you should be okay.

It's probably better to look at the earlier RE's probably. Sheva was not the best character.

Maybe check out Jill Valentine from the earlier games, she plays a fairly core lead role from what I've played and read

Yeah, that's what I was thinking.

 

[mjacoby79]

First of all, I want to thank everyone who has posted a reply! It is very much appreciated! We were only given a week to complete this final project, so I don't have too much time to find a console and play 20 games for the first time. Again, I greatly appreciate all of your input!

Thanks again!

P.S. Out of curiosity, why did everyone assume that I am male?

 

[AnAngryMoose]

Does Baird of Gears count as a lead? Because then we can use him and Marcus. (zing!)

Halo: Cortana and Master Chief
Half-Life 2: Gordon Freeman and Alyx Vance
Resident Evil 5: Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar
Crash Bandicoot: Crash and Coco Bandicoot
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: Link and Midna

Look up those characters, and I think you should be okay.

This should be a good starting point.