Aerannis Puts Stealth Action Gameplay in a Post-Feminist Dystopia

[Something Amyss]

"Lying" about what you said?

Mate, those were your words, in the context of the guy who you quoted.

I said you specifically? I included you? I meant every gamergater?

No, I didn't. That's a lie. You've spent several posts including you even as I said otherwise.

Mate, that's a lie.

 

[MrFalconfly]

"Lying" about what you said?

Mate, those were your words, in the context of the guy who you quoted.

I said you specifically? I included you? I meant every gamergater?

No, I didn't. That's a lie. You've spent several posts including you even as I said otherwise.

Mate, that's a lie.

You were responding to a guy who clearly didn't discriminate.

And your comment was no very descriptive which really doesn't help me determine whether you are talking about a specific guy, or a grouping.

At the most it's a language barrier (me being tri-lingual and all) that have confused me.

 

[Bob_McMillan]

Real random, but this reminds me of a character in Gail Simone's "Batgirl". She has a room mate who in one issue tells Batgirl (who I think was bleeding or crying or whatever) "Im transgender" and for some reason Batgirl is happy (?) Then, its revealed the room mate is an environmentalist. Ta-da! A radical one, no less. And in the same issue, she is revealed to be lesbian. I dunno if this is just me, but I find this little scenario a way too unrealistic, much like how the game's main character is. Makes me think think that diversity needs to be properly thought on before you stick into a game.

 

[Kathinka]

Part of me hopes that this project is masterfully socially engineered to cause maximum controversy, not by picking either side of the discussion, but by staying neutral, keeping people guessing. That would be some supreme mindfuckery that I couldn't help but applaud.

If it is, then it's certainly working. People are talking about it.


Another thought I had: What if the excessively minoritastic protagonist is intended as a parody of professional victim tumblr snowflakes being Tri-Gender Omnisexual Pyrofox otherkins with 1/64th Cherokee heritage? Possible?

 

[nomotog_v1legacy]

snip

It's probably because gamergate supporters on this site made fun of Gone Home (you know, the exposition simulator with lesbians, AKA still a shitty exposition simulator not really much of a game since it involves less player agency than Call of Duty).

But yeah, opinions on Gamergate are often completely removed from reality on this site.

Gone home has more agency then COD. You can decide where you go and how fast. COD is always pushing you to do things exactly how they want you to. Gone home is a lot less linear. (It's smaller though.) The problem I had with gone home is that it was basically a game about listening to someone else story rather then experiencing your own. (Or maybe a better way to put it is that the player has their experience and then the characters have their experience and never the twain shell meet.) I think there was one bit that referenced the player and our tendency to leave lights on all over the house.

 

[Azure23]

This thread is great, I love it.

The amount of people who are mind boggled at the fact that a protagonist can be "TWO DIFFERENT MINORITIES GUYZ!" Is pretty hilarious.

People, the game takes place in Bulgaria. And in Bulgaria, Bulgarian Turks are a relatively common minority with a history of being systematically shat on. It stands to reason that some part of the Bulgarian Turk population is going to be gay, or transgender, or asexual, or whatever other non hetero normative thing you can think of.

Considering that the game seems to be placing a major focus on the dangers of radicalism and more specifically of the hateful and trans exclusionary form (which is unfortunately there, but thankfully pretty small) of feminism, I'd say that the protagonist's racial background and sexual identity are pretty important to the story. But then again, who can tell? All we have is the word of the developer to go on.

Oh and for all the people who absolutely need to identify an ideological slant to either dogpile on or fall in line with: Many of the most vocal detractors of modern feminism and social justice advocacy like to claim that we live in a post feminist, or post racial society. That we have completely eliminated racial and sexual divides and we can all go about patting each other on our backs. This game appears to be trying to address the dangers of such statements. And how they can lead to an oppressive society through the publicly enforced perception that racial or sexual boundaries have been eliminated. Personally I think it's a pretty brave statement regardless of whether or not the developer will say it outright, then again, many artists prefer to let their work speak for itself.

TL;DR
Radicals like the red stockings (look em up) are bad people, saying that society is "post-anything" is a dangerous and presumptive statement.

 

[Lieju]

Let's look at the comment thread...

Yeah, seems about what I have come to expect from the Escapist.

Another thought I had: What if the excessively minoritastic protagonist is intended as a parody of professional victim tumblr snowflakes being Tri-Gender Omnisexual Pyrofox otherkins with 1/64th Cherokee heritage? Possible?

Excessively minoritastic?

Dear Cthulhu, people are this used to taking the white cishet man as the default?
(And add US-centricism to the list too. How dare Bulgarians exist? Grr Tumblr.)

Not to mention her being both transgender and a Bulgarian Turk makes sense from the narrative and thematic perspective.

 

[lord.jeff]

So it's a flavor of the week game that's gonna be forgotten in a month, hopefully the gameplay is at least good.

 

[An Ceannaire]

Let's look at the comment thread...

Yeah, seems about what I have come to expect from the Escapist.

What do you mean by that?

 

[Kathinka]

Let's look at the comment thread...

Yeah, seems about what I have come to expect from the Escapist.

Another thought I had: What if the excessively minoritastic protagonist is intended as a parody of professional victim tumblr snowflakes being Tri-Gender Omnisexual Pyrofox otherkins with 1/64th Cherokee heritage? Possible?

Excessively minoritastic?

Dear Cthulhu, people are this used to taking the white cishet man as the default?
(And add US-centricism to the list too. How dare Bulgarians exist? Grr Tumblr.)

Not to mention her being both transgender and a Bulgarian Turk makes sense from the narrative and thematic perspective.

Calm down there, snowflake. With "Excessively minoritastic" I just meant the stacking of several non-standard characteristics for a game protagonist, wich many people will see as unusual. No evaluation or grading intended. I mean, I think we can agree on that a Transsexual member of an ethnic minority is pretty unusual as a game protagonist, no?
(also, I'm not american and didn't mention anything about Bulgarians being a minority or social fringe group or anything. No clue where you picked that up)

 

[An Ceannaire]

Another thought I had: What if the excessively minoritastic protagonist is intended as a parody of professional victim tumblr snowflakes being Tri-Gender Omnisexual Pyrofox otherkins with 1/64th Cherokee heritage? Possible?

That would be a highlight of my year if it was true!

 

[Super Cyborg]

So if I got everything straight, Equality was achieved in the world, but then war broke out, and something else caused the population to be wiped out. From what it seemed like, a bunch of weird creatures (Maybe by mutation?) popped up, as well as other stuff which might've caused it. Perhaps a new government was formed with more radical feminists at the top to try to keep a semblance of order, which caused all this other crap. I'm just making guesses, and the video is more gameplay, so hard to have a big grasp on it. The story could be interesting, as long as it isn't ham fisted in.

Seems like the video showed a lot more action than stealth, which being advertised as part stealth you would want to show more. Then again, they only have what they completed to work with. I can work with a great story with a playable game, or great gameplay with an overall mediocre story (in this case at least, since it seems story heavy, if not story heavy, it can be pretty bad if gameplay is amazing).

Hope it gets kickstarted, but I won't be donating. Even for the cooking game I was really interested in I didn't kickstart. I prefer to just let others decide to make it possible, and then buy the game after the full game is out and I can get a better picture.

 

[JarinArenos]

now your going through my post history

Um... yeah? The forum is public, and I like to know a bit of who I'm talking to.
Pretty sure tumblr is like a less-structured reddit. Things that actively break the law will still get banned... but not a whole lot else.

Oh and by the way, Gamergate kicked out King of Pol and some other awful people from its own ranks. Which is more than Yahoo ever did. Just throwing that out there.

First... equating "tumblr" and "gamergate" is kinda weird, considering that tumblr's biggest content is... what, fanfics and porn? Might as well condemn /r/TumblrInAction/ for the actions of some hidden-camera-upskirt subreddit. Second... serious question... how do you kick someone out of a formless movement with no leadership? I'd really like to know how.

 

[Imp_Emissary]

This is going to end in one of two ways; both are hilarious. Some unhinged group is going to latch onto it, throw a huge temper tantrum, and then Sterling will say something snarky about it.
Kinda hope it does get funded...

<- What Weil said.

Gameplay looks pretty neat too from what the video showed. Plus, this should start some neat conversations.

It's a little amusing to see this pop up.


Keep in mind, the target of satire in this is "Feminists" who don't believe that transgendered women are worth of the title "Woman", rather than you know, actual feminists.

This too. People seem to be missing the part where the dev said; "they're feminists in the same way the Soviet Union was communist".

Hope the game gets what it needs. Neat idea and fun looking gameplay.
Hopefully the whole thing comes together well too.

 

[EternallyBored]

So if I got everything straight, Equality was achieved in the world, but then war broke out, and something else caused the population to be wiped out. From what it seemed like, a bunch of weird creatures (Maybe by mutation?) popped up, as well as other stuff which might've caused it. Perhaps a new government was formed with more radical feminists at the top to try to keep a semblance of order, which caused all this other crap. I'm just making guesses, and the video is more gameplay, so hard to have a big grasp on it. The story could be interesting, as long as it isn't ham fisted in.

From the game maker's Tumblr:

"About Aerannis being about a "post-feminist dystopia"

I?ve seen some chatter about this so I think it?s good to address it.

I'm using "post-feminist" to mean that the government within this universe claims that feminism's end goals have been attained and everybody is equal and happy and so there's no more need for feminism. That is, of course, not true and so the government hires people to take out anyone who says otherwise. The government is all about labeling themselves as "feminist" rather than actually making any efforts to improve the situation for the citizens. It's "feminist" in the same sense that China's "communist"?maybe it was at some point, but not anymore.

"Dystopia" is used to show that the society is fucked up because people who speak up are being killed yet everything has an outward appearance of being fine.

The game is not anti-feminist."

Perusing the developer's Tumblr seems to indicate that the story is itself about the dangers of radicalism in general, and more specifically the dangers of anti-transgender sentiments that exist amongst some modern progressive groups, set in the backdrop of a futuristic Bulgaria.
The developer also indicates that he is using feminism partially to flip the script on the usual, "Post-ideology" sentiments that try to push the narrative that society is post racism or sexism.

Also, the character is being written by a transgender person, who seems to be quite enthused about writing a story for a transgender character, so those posters a couple posts above me are probably going to be disappointed if they think the main character is going to be one of those, "special-snowflake" transgender types that treats it like a joke. Not to mention that would likely undermine the themes the developer seems to be going for here, as the dystopic themes seem to depend on the main character being an actual transgender person, rather than someone pretending for attention.

 

[Super Cyborg]

So if I got everything straight, Equality was achieved in the world, but then war broke out, and something else caused the population to be wiped out. From what it seemed like, a bunch of weird creatures (Maybe by mutation?) popped up, as well as other stuff which might've caused it. Perhaps a new government was formed with more radical feminists at the top to try to keep a semblance of order, which caused all this other crap. I'm just making guesses, and the video is more gameplay, so hard to have a big grasp on it. The story could be interesting, as long as it isn't ham fisted in.

From the game maker's Tumblr:

"About Aerannis being about a "post-feminist dystopia"

I?ve seen some chatter about this so I think it?s good to address it.

I'm using "post-feminist" to mean that the government within this universe claims that feminism's end goals have been attained and everybody is equal and happy and so there's no more need for feminism. That is, of course, not true and so the government hires people to take out anyone who says otherwise. The government is all about labeling themselves as "feminist" rather than actually making any efforts to improve the situation for the citizens. It's "feminist" in the same sense that China's "communist"?maybe it was at some point, but not anymore.

"Dystopia" is used to show that the society is fucked up because people who speak up are being killed yet everything has an outward appearance of being fine.

The game is not anti-feminist."

Perusing the developer's Tumblr seems to indicate that the story is itself about the dangers of radicalism in general, and more specifically the dangers of anti-transgender sentiments that exist amongst some modern progressive groups, set in the backdrop of a futuristic Bulgaria.
The developer also indicates that he is using feminism partially to flip the script on the usual, "Post-ideology" sentiments that try to push the narrative that society is post racism or sexism.

Also, the character is being written by a transgender person, who seems to be quite enthused about writing a story for a transgender character, so those posters a couple posts above me are probably going to be disappointed if they think the main character is going to be one of those, "special-snowflake" transgender types that treats it like a joke. Not to mention that would likely undermine the themes the developer seems to be going for here, as the dystopic themes seem to depend on the main character being an actual transgender person, rather than someone pretending for attention.

That makes more sense. For some reason I was looking into the war and population decline in a different way. I guess in some ways, having it be extreme feminists will allow to have more interesting female characters. While it's an interesting concept overall, it's something that needs to be handled carefully to be a good story. You don't want to hit people over the head with stuff, but not be to subtle about the stuff. Even if it isn't the greatest, these experimental games (story wise) need to come out in order to have better ones come out, and show that there is an audience for it. I'll be interested to see how it all pans out.

I know nothing about transgendered people in general, except about some of the hardships they go through and that they basically are one gender, but feel like they are another gender. (Correct me if I'm wrong. I know there's more to it than just that). I'm all for diversity in all media about all things (whether it's about things I personally believe in or not). I am surprised and somewhat not surprised at this reaction. It would be one thing if this was blatant advertising to show "Look at how progressive and different we are being", but this was the developers answering questions people had about the various points of the game. If the trailer was slapping all over the place about those points, then people would've had a point, but in this case it's not pandering.

 

[Lieju]

Calm down there, snowflake.

You shall refer to me by my actual title.
It's The Great Snow-Queen of the undead horde, you peasant. I got enough special snowflakes under my command to build a rather impressive snowman.

With "Excessively minoritastic" I just meant the stacking of several non-standard characteristics for a game protagonist, wich many people will see as unusual. No evaluation or grading intended. I mean, I think we can agree on that a Transsexual member of an ethnic minority is pretty unusual as a game protagonist, no?

Isn't the usual argument that minorities should only be included if 'it makes sense' and 'fits the story'?
Becayse the protagonist being both an ethnic minority and a transwoman fits the story they are trying to tell according to their kickstarter page.

She was marginalized before the revolution because of her ethnicity, and afterwards in this supposed utopia for being a transwoman.

Also, no. What you were saying was that this was unusual enough to be a parody.
Which implies you're really too used to the whitecishet man being the norm if you consider a Bulgarian turk who is also a transwoman to be over-the-top. Over-the-top enough to be parody, or as an another poster indicated, GOOD parody, which means parody is dead I guess.

Let's look at the comment thread...

Yeah, seems about what I have come to expect from the Escapist.

What do you mean by that?

Let's see, ramgling about the GG and Tumblr,(despite the article not mentioning either), people's mind being blown at the idea of a protagonist being two different minorities (which says something depressing about the media they consume)...

And hilariously, people trying to decide if their imaginary SJW-boogeywomyn will burn their bras in anger at this or drool over the game.

 

[An Ceannaire]

Let's see, ramgling about the GG and Tumblr,(despite the article not mentioning either), people's mind being blown at the idea of a protagonist being two different minorities (which says something depressing about the media they consume)...

And hilariously, people trying to decide if their imaginary SJW-boogeywomyn will burn their bras in anger at this or drool over the game.

Well, you've clearly set out which side of the fence you sit on. And that's fine. But people are perfectly entitled to sit on the other. But despite assuming that your side has the moral high ground, you don't see to be above belittling those on the other side of the fence.

Seriously, the irony that surfaces in any of these threads relating to GG or Social Justice topics is baffling.

 

[Kathinka]

Isn't the usual argument that minorities should only be included if 'it makes sense' and 'fits the story'?
Becayse the protagonist being both an ethnic minority and a transwoman fits the story they are trying to tell according to their kickstarter page.

She was marginalized before the revolution because of her ethnicity, and afterwards in this supposed utopia for being a transwoman.

Also, no. What you were saying was that this was unusual enough to be a parody.
Which implies you're really too used to the whitecishet man being the norm if you consider a Bulgarian turk who is also a transwoman to be over-the-top. Over-the-top enough to be parody, or as an another poster indicated, GOOD parody, which means parody is dead I guess.

No one said or implied that they shouldn't include minorities as protagonists. No one. It's not a bad thing, I'm just spitballing here. Not everything is an attack.

And a Parody doesn't have to be over the top. It can be light-handed, subtle and only hinted. I also just brought up the possibility. Just threw out the idea. I obviously can't know without having played the game.

Again, not every innocent musing or idea is an attack on someones political agenda.