The counter to Tropes vs Women in Video Games? I'm still mad white knights gave her over $150k to do something that stupid.

Anyway, video. It's worth the 30 minutes:

I don't really think it's that stupid, but that's just me personally. It's something worth exploring- all the main characters nowadays are pretty much trope-age, and play to dudes. I'll give Bioware credit where credit is due though, on the whole Femshep thing. It is kinda boring to always have the T and A characters. That's not to say that there hasn't been some great games with female leads(Beyond Good and Evil comes to mind off the top).

But I don't think widening narrative perspectives in games is ever a bad thing. It is kinda getting tiring usually seeing white bald space marines all over the place. I'm actually kinda interested to see the tropes in general as well.

Though the times, the times are a-changin', so I'm sure in a while, it'll all even out. I'm personally excited to see more gay and minority protagonists get some play! Everyone has a story to tell. It's an exciting time to be. Whatever improves the games industry, I'm for.

That, and I'm a girl gamer whether I like it or not- I happen to be a chick who likes games. I'm not going to give up either, so I figure it's just best to live and let live. I get people being annoyed, but, well. Not much I can do about my interests/parts.

Also, regardless of beliefs- I think they went over the line over something that... wasn't even worth it? I mean, why troll this? It's worth taking a look at from an analytic standpoint as well. I'd love to take a college course going over the roles of video games in culture.

I still think- had someone like a dude media critic analyzed the guy's tropes(which are getting kinda stale in a different way), he would've never gotten this kind of harassment(well, unless it was a gay guy, of course).

"The intimidation and harassment effort has included a torrent of hate speech on my YouTube video, repeated vandalizing of the Wikipedia page about me, organized efforts to flag my YouTube videos as "terrorism", as well as many threatening messages sent through Twitter, Facebook, Kickstarter, email and my own website. These messages and comments have included everything from the typical sandwich and kitchen "jokes" to threats of violence, death, sexual assault and rape. All that plus an organized attempt to report this project to Kickstarter and get it banned or defunded."



Threats of violence, death, sexual assault, and rape? Yeah, no. It was a pretty childish response imo. Rape and death threats aren't jokes, especially to someone who has gone through the first. Well, now I feel like crap moreso, bad day and all that, gonna go take a few off the internet and hope to find something more positive than the response to that.

You know, I really wouldn't mind just... you know, playing video games.

The way I see it, there is just way too much emphasis on sex in general. And honestly? Sex really isn't a big deal. It doesn't deserve as much attention as it is getting. It's not disrespectful, it's not degrading, and it really isn't a big deal. And I don't see how an individual woman can take such offense to it when she, herself, isn't depicted as the character in question.

It reminds me of one of Moviebob's earlier videos. And I think he REALLY hits it out of the park. You guys really need to watch this.

I get what you're sayin', but it'd still be interesting to have some more female protags with depth. Just sayin'.

Personally, I don't think this should be an issue. There are too many things that are made issues just so people can have the feeling of being passionate about something, but with the safety net of the topic not bearing any real world consequences no matter the outcome.


On the topic of in game characters:

I do concede to the fact that there are few female game characters that have strong morale convictions and a clear code of ethics that we generally agree with. Not that there are many male game characters that fit that idea either. Most game characters are cliches ripped straight from classic and contemporary culture. Duke Nukem, Claude C. Kenny, Link, Nathan Drake, Master Chief, Kratos, and any other lead role character you can think of all have generic stereotypical traits that make them appealing and predictable enough to make them comfortable to journey with.

If there were more leading characters both male and female that I could say I respect, then sure I be be all for that. But it's just a game. It isn't an extension of my personality on the screen, nor will I emulate what I see in them. So what does it really matter?

None of them are role models.


As for the gamers:

I notice that when ever I join a public game and a woman is there, she typically announces herself as a female and says she wants to be left alone. She draws attention to herself and then asks to not have the very attention she brought upon herself.

Never in my life have I walked into Victoria's Secret and shout aloud that I am male and want to be left alone.
Yes, my counter is sexist. But that is the nature of the discussion.

The gamers I respect in matches aren't ones that talk to me and tell me about themselves. In a match of, say, Halo, I respect the player that shows skill. Sometimes that person is the one that killed me the most. A rivalry forms in my mind and I feel the need to surpass them, or just get them back even once. Not once have I cared if they were a man or woman.


Cosplay:

They dress up scantily and enjoy the attention. If a bunch of people were staring at me and thinking I was the hottest thing around (as unlikely as it may be lol) I'd do the same damned thing.

Sex sells. We all know it. I'm not ashamed of the fact that some sweet cleavage catches my eye. Just like Ryan Gosling's abs catches my wife's eye. It is just a natural impulse.


Game Developers and Publishers:

Without looking up any real statistics, I can say with much confidence, that the vast majority of the industry is male. Most men like to look at big boobs and it bleeds into their work. Most men want to save a sexy woman, and it bleeds into their work. So, it stands to reason that most games will be sexist. It is to be expected. Most entertainment magazines try to appeal towards women, most games try to appeal towards men. It is because of who drives the industries that reaches for a demographic, eventually relying on keeping that consumer coming back for more. Should I go to Elizabeth Hayden (romance novelist) and say that her leading male characters are unbelievable and sexist? Hell no. Her books are mostly purchased by women and games are mostly purchased by men.


On the woman making this video series:

She is just as guilty as those she belittles.

In the end, I don't think this "hot topic" of the day should even be a topic. It's just another way for some women to get a crap ton of attention for being women. They are doing the same damned thing they condemn, some without knowing it, just in a different light.






Oh and this won't help anything I just said but it is relevant

I dunno. It is definitely a part of the reason I don't play in random XBL games, aside from people sucking usually on there in general. Blessed be my 12-year-old voice at times like that. People can just be creepy. That's my issue. It's creeperville usually on stuff like that, haha.