| marley said: Just to make sure I understand your position: the developer making it possible to sexualize a child is OK because the player is the one actually doing it? I don't think the sexualization of a character is only determined by camera angles, focus and lingering. Outfits and poses can easily sexualize a character regardless of what the camera is doing. I was making a generalized comment and not referring to a single instance or game. I will assume you are talking about 'Bravely Default' since that is the only game mentioned in the OP. In such a case, I think all of these outfits sexaulize the character: http://www.cinemablend.com/images/sections/61392/nintendo_61392.jpg. We can disagree on that, but I would find it suspect if you think any of those outfits are suitable for an actual 15 year old. This french maid/bikini/lingerie outfit serves no other purpose than to be sexual. |
How does the developer "make it possible" to sexualize a character? This isn't like GTA where characters are blatantly having sex and such. Does Smash Bros make it possible to sexualize characters because you can pause the game and look up the girls' skirts? There are trophies of Peach and Daisy in their Mario Tennis outfits, you can basically see their underwear, are they being sexualized? In any game that gives you a decent level of camera control, you can zoom in on whatever you like. People can sexualize anything they want with or without help from the developer.
If outfits alone can sexualize a character than explain how full-frontal nudity is not a "sexualized" outfit (or lack thereof). There are no sexualized poses in either of the games I'm discussing, so that's all you're going on here.
Bravely Default is an interesting case. The bikini is actually plot-relevant. The fact that it is 'sexy' is important. Anyway, consider the graphical style and resolution of the title -- does this really look more objectionable to you than visible male genitalia?
I was actually referring to Xenoblade X, the target of the recent criticisms. Characters can wear revealing outfits. This is a problem because one of the characters is a thirteen-year-old girl. But she can also wear any of the dozens if not hundreds of not-revealing outfits. It's not like you can strip her naked or put her in a sexual situation or position. Again, for the majority of the gameplay she would be obscured by her weapon anyway. This is far from an ecchi game, it just has some revealing outfits in addition to normal-looking military armor, ridiculous anime armor, classic sci-fi inspired stuff, etc.
