So I will first off I am a guy who believes in the feminist idea of women being equal. I also believe in the possibility that games can be art (I know there are plenty of other who also feel that way).

It seems like video games have gotten a lot of flack over the years about how women are portrayed, although a lot of it is deserved. Very often we see women in what amount armored thongs to the point it is ridiculous. Even in the early days woman have been portrayed as a story prop (how many times has princess peach been saved).  Things have been chaging over the years and video games are starting to become more respected but I think portrayal of women may be one of those things that hold us back. There is room for arguement as well, there are times when oversexualized women are part of the story line or are in place appropriately. There have been steps forward as well to have strong female characters that don't dress slutty. I have to thank Konami for characters like Heather Mason from Silent Hill 3 and The Boss from MGS3. These were strong characters who also women. Not to say Konami hasnt made mistakes  (Eva from MG3, The Chick who dies first in SH4).

So my question is, are things getting better for women portrayal in video games? and what are your thoughts regarding how it is changed.

Personally I think it has to change in order for it be taken seriously as an artform

As long as most games are made for the 21-30 year old manchild demographic, there's very little hope for egalitarian treatment of women in videogames, barring some exceptions.

One word , Yuna .

Four words: Rikku had no clothes.

Not much different with men. How often do you just play some average guy in a game?
As for being taken seriously as an artform, I'd say it just needs time. Does a movie like The Naked Mile take away from others like the Godfather? On the other hand comics have had much more time, yet are still considered childish by much of the population.

excellent counter point badgenome ;)

 I thought Rikku was a little boy !! its hard to tell difference between the males and female with SE characters.

i think some games portray females better than the others. this is also valid in movies, books, art ...ect

Heavenly Sword is a very good example of a female characters done right
while games like bloodrayne, "new" Tomb Raider, Bullet Witch and probably Bayonetta are done very wrong.

Samus, pre zero-suit, is probably a good example. Though one could say that the whole motivation of some of the games was merely to see her in her zero-suit (get good endings, see various degrees of bare Samus), so it somewhat muddies her credibility.

I think they are getting better, not great by any means but better.

I also cant beleive you forgot about Alyx Vance from HL2, quite possibly the best example for what you are lookiing for.