One thing I don't understand about "Controversies"

[IllumInaTIma]

Dragon's Crown is almost out, people are talking about depiction of women in that game, Escapist review said that tasteless artstyle of game is a con yada yada yada. This is not what I'm wondering about. What I'm wondering about is why, specifically, Dragon's Crown? Sure, Amazon and Sorceress look ridiculous, but have you seen some female characters in Muramasa, other game by the same developer?
<img src=http://senpaigamer.com/sites/default/files/news/sony/2013/03/27-oboro-muramasa-18.jpg>
<img src=http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l238/ssj3fox/catgirlurday/e3-2009-muramasa-the-demon-blade-sc.jpg>
<img src=http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/Muramasa_The_Demon_Blade/art-002.jpg>

Were there any controversies with the way Muramasa portrays female characters? None that I recall. Were points taken from a game because of that? I don't think so.
So, why Dragon's Crown? Because that ONE guy on Kotaku pointed it out? Why not Mortal Kombat, for example? Every single female character in that game wears incredibly revealing and unpractical, for a FIGHTING TOURNAMENT, clothes! Controversy? Nope. And there are dozens of other games that badly depict female characters and yet avoid being controversial.
So, by what criteria, exactly, do we define what is controversial and what not?

 

[shrekfan246]

I think one of the core differences is that Muramasa was released before the whole bubble about feminism and the portrayal of women in video games burst sometime last year.

I wouldn't be surprised if fighting games always had their detractors for the way the characters were dressed, anyway. I know I've seen rather harsh criticism of Soul Calibur in that field, particularly around that one character that anyone should be able to guess if they even know cursory information about Soul Calibur.

So yeah, combined with increased awareness because of that one guy (or was it Patricia? I can't even remember anymore) at Kotaku reported on it in such a harsh manner, it all exploded onto the internet, because if the internet is good at anything, it's taking something to the illogical, rash, angry extreme and polarizing the positions of anybody who dares take part in the argument.

 

[Maximum Bert]

well its not really controversial its just a storm in a teacup. Basically here someone states an opinion as fact others jump on board and others oppose stating their own opinion as fact. Its just people have different opinions same old same old.

In this case I believe the problem stems from what is expected of society which in itself is a sort of brainwashing but is impossible to fully escape after all not everything can be questioned but people should remember that everything can be.

Now why people believe games should mirror real life even when it obviously makes no attempt to I have no idea I wouldnt worry though people will move on soon its not controversial politics or religion its just people like to feel important some may be generally disgusted others delighted but I dont think many have strong feelings one way or the other but hey its good that games are causing controversy but I dont see this ending up on news at 10 (and if it did I would laugh my ass off, what they gonna say this drawing is demeaning lol.)

Interesting you mentioned Mortal Kombat i.e literally one of the most controversial games ever but not because of the ladies (admittedly only Sonya was in the fisrt one anyway) but because of the violence nowadays there are games way more violent than Mortal Kombat but dont generate anywhere near as much controversy so instead we move on to sex yup good ol violence and sex they have always been around but they never stop being controversial.

I loved the controversy in SCV over women or rather Ivy always makes me smile a character modelled after a dominatrix is showing to much skin lol but Mortal Kombat gets a free pass apparently despite most of the ladies being as naked or even more so than Ivy and hey in SC the guys wear less than the ladies (especially Voldo and Astaroth) but whatever .

Also I wouldnt even bother pointing out things like impractical clothing in MK or any game (unless its supposed to be a realistic sim) because its just a game shit dosent have to make sense beyond the rules of the game, style and characterisation are more important than effectiveness because its all virtual so skin can be as effective as armour in game if they want.

Art by its nature is controversial after all I may see a masterpiece you may see a pathetic attempt at drawing both points are valid from differing sides and we should let people release whatever art they like at least in my view, even though there are restrictions already but this stuff is not breaking any rules so let them do what they want its got a great style in my view like all their games and the Disgaea games as well.

 

[Eduku]

I think one of the core differences is that Muramasa was released before the whole bubble about feminism and the portrayal of women in video games burst sometime last year.

This, exactly. At moment, the big 'issue' to talk about is feminism and the portrayal of women and all that. In my opinion, a lot of websites are doing this to create controversy, just so everyone will flock to their pages and they get lots of hits. A simple but effective form of baiting. What I do is not even bother giving them the views they want, just stay away if I so much as see the buzzwords they like to throw out in their titles.

 

[sextus the crazy]

I wouldn't be surprised if fighting games always had their detractors for the way the characters were dressed, anyway. I know I've seen rather harsh criticism of Soul Calibur in that field, particularly around that one character that anyone should be able to guess if they even know cursory information about Soul Calibur.

And it doesn't help that Soul Cailber has gotten progressively worse in this regard.

I think one of the core differences is that Muramasa was released before the whole bubble about feminism and the portrayal of women in video games burst sometime last year.

This, exactly. At moment, the big 'issue' to talk about is feminism and the portrayal of women and all that. In my opinion, a lot of websites are doing this to create controversy, just so everyone will flock to their pages and they get lots of hits. A simple but effective form of baiting. What I do is not even bother giving them the views they want, just stay away if I so much as see the buzzwords they like to throw out in their titles.

yeah, this is Kotaku we're talking about. They're sort of known for this sort of thing.

Sweet Avatar, BTW.

OT: really the controversies could have been about any number of games. It's no so much a specific game that we should focus on, but on female portrayal in games in general.

 

[Eduku]

I think one of the core differences is that Muramasa was released before the whole bubble about feminism and the portrayal of women in video games burst sometime last year.

This, exactly. At moment, the big 'issue' to talk about is feminism and the portrayal of women and all that. In my opinion, a lot of websites are doing this to create controversy, just so everyone will flock to their pages and they get lots of hits. A simple but effective form of baiting. What I do is not even bother giving them the views they want, just stay away if I so much as see the buzzwords they like to throw out in their titles.

yeah, this is Kotaku we're talking about. They're sort of known for this sort of thing.

Yeah I suppose if it's Kotaku you sort of have to automatically lower your expectations. I've since stopped following them from a few years ago, they're continuing to go downhill it seems.

Unfortunately what I mentioned before seems to be seeping into reviews now, so now it's even harder for me to avoid this kind of stuff. For example, Polygon's review has been attracting controversy (once again, giving them lots of hits) because they even went so far as to lower the score due to the reviewer's disgust at their 'depiction of women', which I found very disappointing, and probably won't be reading any more of their reviews any time soon.

Sweet Avatar, BTW.

Thanks! My avatar actually has red hair but I couldn't find a picture of that, so this is close enough.

 

[sextus the crazy]

Yeah I suppose if it's Kotaku you sort of have to automatically lower your expectations. I've since stopped following them from a few years ago, they're continuing to go downhill it seems.

Unfortunately what I mentioned before seems to be seeping into reviews now, so now it's even harder for me to avoid this kind of stuff. For example, Polygon's review has been attracting controversy (once again, giving them lots of hits) because they even went so far as to lower the score due to the reviewer's disgust at their 'depiction of women', which I found very disappointing, and probably won't be reading any more of their reviews any time soon.

Yeah, I never really got into them because of the whole "attracting controversy for hits" thing that I learned about soon after discovering them. I figured there are plenty of other places to go for good stuff. Like the Escapist

Sweet Avatar, BTW.

Thanks! My avatar actually has red hair but I couldn't find a picture of that, so this is close enough.

Yeah, my first one had purple straight-ish hair like Canas from FE7.

Personally, I'm just happy that FE is getting semi-popular because of Awakening's big impact. I've been a fan since the original 2003 US release and have noticed the how Shadow dragon's sequel didn't get a US/EU release because of low SD sales, so all of this sudden popularity makes me real happy.

 

[Freakazoid]

You guys want to know the best part? Kotaku's own review of the game says that the over-the-top character design fits so well in the game that the reviewer didn't even notice it and that he understands the design choice now that he's played the game.
Seriously, nowhere do they list it as a con. And the Destructoid crowd didn't care to begin with. The Escapist review is the only one I've seen that specifically points it out and deducts marks for it.

EDIT: Polygon's review also deducts marks for it.

 

[Lionsfan]

Dragon's Crown is almost out, people are talking about depiction of women in that game, Escapist review said that tasteless artstyle of game is a con yada yada yada. This is not what I'm wondering about. What I'm wondering about is why, specifically, Dragon's Crown? Sure, Amazon and Sorceress look ridiculous, but have you seen some female characters in Muramasa, other game by the same developer?
<img src=http://senpaigamer.com/sites/default/files/news/sony/2013/03/27-oboro-muramasa-18.jpg>
<img src=http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l238/ssj3fox/catgirlurday/e3-2009-muramasa-the-demon-blade-sc.jpg>
<img src=http://www.rpgfan.com/pics/Muramasa_The_Demon_Blade/art-002.jpg>

Were there any controversies with the way Muramasa portrays female characters? None that I recall. Were points taken from a game because of that? I don't think so.
So, why Dragon's Crown? Because that ONE guy on Kotaku pointed it out? Why not Mortal Kombat, for example? Every single female character in that game wears incredibly revealing and unpractical, for a FIGHTING TOURNAMENT, clothes! Controversy? Nope. And there are dozens of other games that badly depict female characters and yet avoid being controversial.
So, by what criteria, exactly, do we define what is controversial and what not?

Shouldn't your thread title be "One Thing I don't understand about the Dragon's Crown 'controversy'".

The way you titled it made me think you had some issue with all controversies, and not just Dragon's Crown.

As for the reasoning, I thought the initial uproar started over concept art, and the artist/designer basically told people to piss off, and it's just kept up since then

 

[Lonewolfm16]

snip

To be fair to Mortal Kombat, isn't standard dress for real fighting tournaments just shorts and maybe boxing gloves? Scantily clad seems appropriate enough. Of course, lingerie probably isn't smart, but still.

 

[Eduku]

Yeah I suppose if it's Kotaku you sort of have to automatically lower your expectations. I've since stopped following them from a few years ago, they're continuing to go downhill it seems.

Unfortunately what I mentioned before seems to be seeping into reviews now, so now it's even harder for me to avoid this kind of stuff. For example, Polygon's review has been attracting controversy (once again, giving them lots of hits) because they even went so far as to lower the score due to the reviewer's disgust at their 'depiction of women', which I found very disappointing, and probably won't be reading any more of their reviews any time soon.

Yeah, I never really got into them because of the whole "attracting controversy for hits" thing that I learned about soon after discovering them. I figured there are plenty of other places to go for good stuff. Like the Escapist

I think having spent the last few years studying journalism has made me very sensitive to detecting sensationalism, but unfortunately the Escapist isn't completely innocent of writing that way, if you look into the way the stories and titles are written. It is better than most though.

Sweet Avatar, BTW.

Thanks! My avatar actually has red hair but I couldn't find a picture of that, so this is close enough.

Yeah, my first one had purple straight-ish hair like Canas from FE7.

Personally, I'm just happy that FE is getting semi-popular because of Awakening's big impact. I've been a fan since the original 2003 US release and have noticed the how Shadow dragon's sequel didn't get a US/EU release because of low SD sales, so all of this sudden popularity makes me real happy.

Yeah I really happy about Awakening's success as well, especially after hearing that it actually could have been the last game in the series if it didn't sell well enough.

 

[ShinyCharizard]

Yeah I don't understand these "controversies" either. Anyone who seriously gets outraged at these kind of things should re-evaluate their priorities in life

 

[Smooth Operator]

Because witch hunts are easier when directed at one object at a time, otherwise people might loose track of the current synonym for anti-christ.

It again outlines just how far from acceptable games are even in their own community, every other medium can do porn/soft-porn but the moment games go close everybody flips... you people are doing the work of Fox News for them.
And I won't even go into how reviewers now find it acceptable for reviews to be their political agenda pieces because that will make me flip some tables.