Why are people saying any video games is sexist?

[556 and pineapples]

Why are people saying any video games is sexist?
Why?
It's literally impossible for them to be.

 

[DoPo]

It's literally impossible for them to be.

Care to elaborate? Why would that be - we cannot discuss it in any meaningful way if you don't give us...well, any information on your stance.

 

[ResonanceSD]

Yeah you're right, I see nothing wrong here

Spoiler

Nothing at all

 

[exxxed]

Because people tend to confuse sexy with sexism and VIDEO GAME characters with real people...

Objectifying... hilarious!

 

[JazzJack2]

Yeah you're right, I see nothing wrong here

Nothing at all

You're right, there isn't anything wrong here at all.

 

[556 and pineapples]

Yeah you're right, I see nothing wrong here

Spoiler

Nothing at all

What excatly makes those characters sexist?

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

Yeah you're right, I see nothing wrong here

SNIP

Nothing at all

I do... I have a massive fucking problem with that 3rd pic...

Leopard print is tacky... She should have been wearing something black and red... with some sorta cute little bow...

OT: Ok... seriously not a good topic around here. And yes, you are right... it is rediculous to think that every/any VG is sexist because some games (I am looking at you Bejewled) that are in no way sexist at all...

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

Yeah you're right, I see nothing wrong here

Spoiler

Nothing at all

What excatly makes those characters sexist?

They don't appear to like men very much... The first 2 especially have probably killed many a fella, and the bottom one rips men off from their hard earned cash!

 

[556 and pineapples]

Yeah you're right, I see nothing wrong here

Spoiler

Nothing at all

Spoiler

When males see these characters, they think
"wow, what a cool guy."
"I want to play as him! lol, I am"
and maybe
"I would like to look like that..."

But

when females sees the the characters you posted, are "feminsts" implying that they are such shallow sluts that that must look as pretty as "those girls" and starts crying and whining, creating tumblr posts and blogs, when they cant?

Why cant girls react the same way as males and just think of it as a cool character?
Why do they automaticly compare themselves to the characters and feel that they must look as hot as them?

 

[Smeatza]

This thread feels like a trap

snip

You're getting dangerously close to implying all feminists are so because they have body image issues......that seems....inflammatory.

It is said that females find it impossible to avoid female characters that aren't sexualised (in video gaming).
Imagine if every single male character in video games was just their to whip their cock out every so often, would you be happy with that?

I'm not gonna pretend to know what the case is either way. But the argument is not against sexualisation of female characters (or at least it shouldn't be), but against constant sexualisation of female characters.

 

[556 and pineapples]

This thread feels like a trap

snip

You're getting dangerously close to implying all feminists are so because they have body image issues......that seems....inflammatory.

It is said that females find it impossible to avoid female characters that aren't sexualised (in video gaming).
Imagine if every single male character in video games was just their to whip their cock out every so often, would you be happy with that?

I'm not gonna pretend to know what the case is either way. But the argument is not against sexualisation of female characters (or at least it shouldn't be), but against constant sexualisation of female characters.

No female character have ever wipped their vagina out in a "real" game. Argument = invalid.

And what is the reason that all female charaters cant look hot? (btw, they dont)

 

[itsthesheppy]

This thread feels like a trap

snip

You're getting dangerously close to implying all feminists are so because they have body image issues......that seems....inflammatory.

It is said that females find it impossible to avoid female characters that aren't sexualised (in video gaming).
Imagine if every single male character in video games was just their to whip their cock out every so often, would you be happy with that?

I'm not gonna pretend to know what the case is either way. But the argument is not against sexualisation of female characters (or at least it shouldn't be), but against constant sexualisation of female characters.

No female character have ever wipped their vagina out in a "real" game. Argument = invalid.

And what is the reason that all female charaters cant look hot? (btw, they dont)

Here's what you're not getting:

Male characters are typically portrayed as muscular and handsome and dynamic not because those qualities appeal to women, but because they appeal to men. We want to be like them. Not only are they physically fit but they are dripping with agency. They're dynamic go-getters and heroes, fully in control of their destinies and oftentimes the most important person in their universe.

Conversely, female characters are often portrayed as sex symbols. They are given exaggerated sexual characteristics to, again, appeal to men. However, there isn't much for women to latch onto for themselves. Sure, they look nice, but they typically lack agency. They play second fiddle to male characters, and are usually only there to support the man, or to act as his prize for a job well done.

There are numerous games that buck these trends. I've actually heard compelling arguments, from women, that Bayonetta is actually a very female-positive character, and I agree with them. Yes, she is an oversexualized caricature, but the character, in her game, is very clearly the most important person in her universe. Men are second-fiddle to her, she makes her own choices, goes on her own adventure. Even her sexuality is her own; something she does for herself, because its fun for her, not for you. That is the core essence of agency. Being in control of onesself.

Hope that clears some stuff up.

 

[Smeatza]

No female character have ever wipped their vagina out in a "real" game. Argument = invalid.

Come on dude, that was obviously hyperbole, don't take it seriously.
Here let me spell it out for you. Feminists feel that the general design (artistic and written) of female characters is pretty much sexploitation (look it up on wikipedia if you don't know what it means). Which (if it is the case) is a step backwards for the 21st century.

And what is the reason that all female charaters cant look hot? (btw, they dont)

Okay, first of all, I'm neutral on this, consider me Sweden.
Hot? Let's be a bit more objective about this.
The reason why every single female character shouldn't be sexualised is because it excludes anyone (male or female) who enjoys non-sexualised female characters. Some feminists maintain that this is an issue of sexism (as only female characters suffer from this supposed constant sexualisation.

If someone is telling you "all video games are inherently sexist" then they are an extremist and deserving of mockery. If someone is telling you "some video games have sexist elements" or my personal view "some visual media contains sexist elements" you'd do well not to dismiss it unjustly.

 

[556 and pineapples]

This thread feels like a trap

snip

You're getting dangerously close to implying all feminists are so because they have body image issues......that seems....inflammatory.

It is said that females find it impossible to avoid female characters that aren't sexualised (in video gaming).
Imagine if every single male character in video games was just their to whip their cock out every so often, would you be happy with that?

I'm not gonna pretend to know what the case is either way. But the argument is not against sexualisation of female characters (or at least it shouldn't be), but against constant sexualisation of female characters.

No female character have ever wipped their vagina out in a "real" game. Argument = invalid.

And what is the reason that all female charaters cant look hot? (btw, they dont)

Here's what you're not getting:

Male characters are typically portrayed as muscular and handsome and dynamic not because those qualities appeal to women, but because they appeal to men. We want to be like them. Not only are they physically fit but they are dripping with agency. They're dynamic go-getters and heroes, fully in control of their destinies and oftentimes the most important person in their universe.

Conversely, female characters are often portrayed as sex symbols. They are given exaggerated sexual characteristics to, again, appeal to men. However, there isn't much for women to latch onto for themselves. Sure, they look nice, but they typically lack agency. They play second fiddle to male characters, and are usually only there to support the man, or to act as his prize for a job well done.

There are numerous games that buck these trends. I've actually heard compelling arguments, from women, that Bayonetta is actually a very female-positive character, and I agree with them. Yes, she is an oversexualized caricature, but the character, in her game, is very clearly the most important person in her universe. Men are second-fiddle to her, she makes her own choices, goes on her own adventure. Even her sexuality is her own; something she does for herself, because its fun for her, not for you. That is the core essence of agency. Being in control of onesself.

Hope that clears some stuff up.

"women dont want to look good"

Are you implying that most modern female chracters arent more than just "TITTAAAYS" now-a-days?

And the few that still are?
Guess, what?
Young males are still the majority in video games. (no matter what the "48% are women" facebook-games-mobile-games-conducted-by-Popcap poll says)

But those characters are still a minority today.

Gimme some modern examples from western games.(since japanese games have a totally different culture and wont listen to butthurt feminazis)

 

[itsthesheppy]

This thread feels like a trap

snip

You're getting dangerously close to implying all feminists are so because they have body image issues......that seems....inflammatory.

It is said that females find it impossible to avoid female characters that aren't sexualised (in video gaming).
Imagine if every single male character in video games was just their to whip their cock out every so often, would you be happy with that?

I'm not gonna pretend to know what the case is either way. But the argument is not against sexualisation of female characters (or at least it shouldn't be), but against constant sexualisation of female characters.

No female character have ever wipped their vagina out in a "real" game. Argument = invalid.

And what is the reason that all female charaters cant look hot? (btw, they dont)

Here's what you're not getting:

Male characters are typically portrayed as muscular and handsome and dynamic not because those qualities appeal to women, but because they appeal to men. We want to be like them. Not only are they physically fit but they are dripping with agency. They're dynamic go-getters and heroes, fully in control of their destinies and oftentimes the most important person in their universe.

Conversely, female characters are often portrayed as sex symbols. They are given exaggerated sexual characteristics to, again, appeal to men. However, there isn't much for women to latch onto for themselves. Sure, they look nice, but they typically lack agency. They play second fiddle to male characters, and are usually only there to support the man, or to act as his prize for a job well done.

There are numerous games that buck these trends. I've actually heard compelling arguments, from women, that Bayonetta is actually a very female-positive character, and I agree with them. Yes, she is an oversexualized caricature, but the character, in her game, is very clearly the most important person in her universe. Men are second-fiddle to her, she makes her own choices, goes on her own adventure. Even her sexuality is her own; something she does for herself, because its fun for her, not for you. That is the core essence of agency. Being in control of onesself.

Hope that clears some stuff up.

"women dont want to look good"

Are you implying that most modern female chracters arent more than just "TITTAAAYS" now-a-days?

And the few that still are?
Guess, what?
Young males are still the majority in video games. (no matter what the "48% are women" facebook-games-mobile-games-conducted-by-Popcap poll says)

But those characters are still a minority today.

Gimme some modern examples from western games.(since japanese games have a totally different culture and wont listen to butthurt feminazis)

I have a better idea. I'm not going to give you the time of day because you're clearly not interested in reasoned discussion.

 

[JazzJack2]

The argument that sexualised women are bad but sexualised men are fine because it's a 'male power fantasy' is just double standards, pure and simple.

 

[ResonanceSD]

The argument that sexualised women are bad but sexualised men are fine because it's a 'male power fantasy' is just double standards, pure and simple.

Who is saying that? Certainly not me. OP asks why anyone says any game is sexist. Not whatever you're bleating on about.

 

[556 and pineapples]

snip

No examples and runs away...

No female character have ever wipped their vagina out in a "real" game. Argument = invalid.

Come on dude, that was obviously hyperbole, don't take it seriously.
Here let me spell it out for you. Feminists feel that the general design (artistic and written) of female characters is pretty much sexploitation (look it up on wikipedia if you don't know what it means). Which (if it is the case) is a step backwards for the 21st century.

And what is the reason that all female charaters cant look hot? (btw, they dont)

Okay, first of all, I'm neutral on this, consider me Sweden.
Hot? Let's be a bit more objective about this.
The reason why every single female character shouldn't be sexualised is because it excludes anyone (male or female) who enjoys non-sexualised female characters. Some feminists maintain that this is an issue of sexism (as only female characters suffer from this supposed constant sexualisation.

If someone is telling you "all video games are inherently sexist" then they are an extremist and deserving of mockery. If someone is telling you "some video games have sexist elements" or my personal view "some visual media contains sexist elements" you'd do well not to dismiss it unjustly.

No female character have ever wipped their vagina out in a "real" game. Argument = invalid.

Come on dude, that was obviously hyperbole, don't take it seriously.
Here let me spell it out for you. Feminists feel that the general design (artistic and written) of female characters is pretty much sexploitation (look it up on wikipedia if you don't know what it means). Which (if it is the case) is a step backwards for the 21st century.

And what is the reason that all female charaters cant look hot? (btw, they dont)

Okay, first of all, I'm neutral on this, consider me Sweden.
Hot? Let's be a bit more objective about this.
The reason why every single female character shouldn't be sexualised is because it excludes anyone (male or female) who enjoys non-sexualised female characters. Some feminists maintain that this is an issue of sexism (as only female characters suffer from this supposed constant sexualisation.

If someone is telling you "all video games are inherently sexist" then they are an extremist and deserving of mockery. If someone is telling you "some video games have sexist elements" or my personal view "some visual media contains sexist elements" you'd do well not to dismiss it unjustly.

But still, art cant be sexist.

Even if the game is nothing but naked women being called sluts, it isnt sexist.
Think of a painting, portraying the same, that wouldnt be considered sexist.

Besides, name a female character from a western modern game (japan dont count because of culture that wont be changed) that is only "the tits". and then female characters that are actual characters.

 

[JazzJack2]

The argument that sexualised women are bad but sexualised men are fine because it's a 'male power fantasy' is just double standards, pure and simple.

Who is saying that? Certainly not me. OP asks why anyone says any game is sexist. Not whatever you're bleating on about.

I am responding to itsthesheppy's comment that "Male characters are typically portrayed as muscular and handsome and dynamic not because those qualities appeal to women, but because they appeal to men. "

Perhaps you should read the thread next time.

 

[MysticSlayer]

Conversely, female characters are often portrayed as sex symbols. They are given exaggerated sexual characteristics to, again, appeal to men. However, there isn't much for women to latch onto for themselves. Sure, they look nice, but they typically lack agency. They play second fiddle to male characters, and are usually only there to support the man, or to act as his prize for a job well done.

There are numerous games that buck these trends. I've actually heard compelling arguments, from women, that Bayonetta is actually a very female-positive character, and I agree with them. Yes, she is an oversexualized caricature, but the character, in her game, is very clearly the most important person in her universe. Men are second-fiddle to her, she makes her own choices, goes on her own adventure. Even her sexuality is her own; something she does for herself, because its fun for her, not for you. That is the core essence of agency. Being in control of onesself.

One time I read an article for an English Composition class (can't remember the name of the article and don't have the book anymore) where a female game journalist made an argument, both from her perspective and from women who worked on games like Blood Rayne, that sexualized female protagonists had the same effect on women that sexualized male protagonists had on men: it was liberating and empowering. So yeah, it does seem like the problem isn't so much bringing out a woman's sexuality but doing so in a way where the only benefit anyone can get from it is sex appeal.

Because people tend to confuse...VIDEO GAME characters with real people...

That's like saying a book isn't racist even if it portrays every white person as competent and in control of their own lives and every black person as dumb and needing to rely on white people. That's also like saying Assassin's Creed 2 isn't anti-Catholic when every Catholic in the game is portrayed negatively and the final boss is the Pope.

Even if the writer's original intention wasn't to portray everyone in a group in a negative light, all we have is their final work and how it really does do that. If female characters are portrayed in a sexy manner with no other way to view it than "bedroom fantasy", then it is easy to see why many people may have a problem. If they're always those weak, fragile characters with absolutely no agency in the game's world, then it is easy to see why some people may be concerned with their portrayal.

Anyways, in response to the OP, I don't think people view all games as sexist, just that many popular ones do have a rather sexist outlook on the world. The thing is, when making complaints, you focus on what you can complain about, and only seldom talk about the games that don't fall under your list of complaints. Do some people go to extremes to find sexism where it doesn't exist? Yes, of course, but I think taking an opposite standpoint of "games clearly aren't sexist" is too closed off to the potentially meaningful discussion, even if that discussion does occasionally get too heated for anyone's own good.