| AlphaCielago said: I think we need a woman's opinion on this matter instead of this Angelo guy. |
*checks* Hey I'm one of those things!
Honestly, I have taken issue with the portrayal of women in video games from time to time, but more so with the knee-jerk reactions, like the ones seen here. Even if you don't agree with what's said, dissmissing it as 'feminazis being feminazis' or throwing up strawman arguments just makes things worse, and makes the industry seem even more hostile. These things are worthy of discussion, but unfortunately the immediate reaction from both sides is to go on the defense and bicker and insult each other.
A couple of points I'd like to bring up. Note that these are just my opinions and my word is not law, nor do I think it's even entirely correct. Forgive me if I take an agressive tone, because that is not my intent.
Sexuality =/= sexism =/= even necessarily 'sexualization' (in my opinion). Sexism is just plain bad, but it's a value, or an attitude. A game itself can reflect sexist values, but I'm not sure if you could ever say a game itself is sexist, since it's an object, not a thinking feeling creature. It's also a little hard to define, so I'll leave that alone since I don't think I could fairly discuss it, so I'll move on.
I take no issues with the likes of Bayonetta (in fact, I'll be getting the sequel for Wii U day one) because that is a fundamental part of her character and she owns it. I take issue with someone like Ivy because she is designed that way purely to tittilate. To me, Bayo is sexual, Ivy is sexualized. One is projecting, and one is being projected onto. That said, it's 99.99% about context. I do not begrudge anyone for playing DoA Extreme Beach Volleyball. Games like that have a purpose and a place and I'm GLAD they're allowed exist like anything else. With some characters, however, there's no reason in the context of the game and setting and it just makes things awkward when I'm playing with someone and they go through the character select screen and land on her then give me an uncomfortable look......
I'm also displeased with the constant push for overly macho tough guys/dashing white brunette male protagonists as well. Not necessarily because I find it offensive, mind you, but because I feel like it's too 'safe' and the industry is doing itself a disservice by reusing the same archetypes (male and female both) over and over because they're tried and true and garunteed to appeal. Part of that I blame on the nature of the AAA industry, but that's beside the point. For every nontypical protagonist, there's dozens of bland male protagonist and bland female fanservice character. We deserve better, and we should demand better, especially if we want our industry to be taken seriously.
Anyway, that's sorta related to another thing I want to say; Yes, people can also sexualize men. I hear this argument/excuse a lot. Pointing that out does not suddenly make it okay for either side. That's schoolyard logic and we should all be past that. But, again, context matters (okay, I just want my otome VNs. We all have our vices!).
....
Oh, right. Zero Suit. Silly but not offensive. No bounty hunter in her right mind would wear heels to a brawl. I can barely get up the stairs in them. To me, the impracticality of the design bugs me more than any notion of 'sexism'. Even her walk just FEELS uncomfortable to watch.
Sorry if my post seems a little disjointed and haphazard, but I'm too lazy to edit it any further.
