By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
Gamerace on 29 March 2009
Edit Thread
dib8rman said:

Gamerace, I did read it, my perspective is that, gaming and narratives aren't one in the same, her issue is with narratives and apparantly so were your yours from:

"While you list many fine games that women can enjoy equally well, I think Heather (and I) is looking for games with more depth (IE: an actual narrative) to be made with more cross appeal. "

My point is that context:
"Chaplin traced the paucity of more mature content in games to four basic ideas that frighten men the most: responsibility, introspection, intimacy, and intellectual discovery."

Yes, sadly I did read it.

Edit-

I can't dance around the issue much more though, because eventually my soles will be sullied, I can say that anyone insulting her isn't proving her point, they are just proving they are on par with her as far as whatever her 'point' is based on the perception of someone who would think her point would be proven with their comments.

From your point of view though: I'll comment about the industry from the narrative end. An action game will always be action, be it Lara Croft or Uncharted's Drake, the narrative places the main character as Cannon, and plays on the genders weaknesses and strengths. In Lara's case she has her emotions towards her past to overcome and Drake has his naive eagerness to put his safety second to overcome.

From this side of the argument, she just seemed to make a mountain out of a mole hill and of course that's one example.

The source of this argument comes from the same ignorance that fuels the arguments about casual gamers, except she's playing the elitist role and victim all in one.

- Heh edit Again

I forgot to mention that in Lara's case her issues deal with introspection of her past which apparantly this lady whose name I will not remember has no problem detecting and appreciating, however Drakes case probably seems macho and power hungry but to guys it's just what they would do if they could after all it is fantasy.

The above paragraph is just an example of creative writings complexity, understanding relativity circumnavigates the complex demands that 'deep pandering plots' erupt with.

Good post and fair enough.

Now it's not clear if 'Frighten men' is her quote or IGN's poor paraphrasing.

I do think 'intellectual discovery' is generally missing in game narratives which was her point though.

However you do identify the main problem with her whole rant - most games really have no narrative at all, and in most that do it's just a flimsy excuse for action.  Looking at it strickly from that perspective, yeah, she sounds like a stupid b----.

But would it kill someone to make a game that has those qualities?  It might surprise and sell a few million.  I'm sure most doubt that.  But then who thought Nintendogs would sell 22m?  Or the immense success of Brain Age?  Or WiiFit?  Times are achanging.