Body Image & Game characters

[CrystalShadow]

Now, we all probably know most game characters aren't like ordinary people.

They're strong. Fast. Pretty. And often wear completely impractical clothes for what they spend their time doing.

But, the way they look is often influenced by stereotypes about what a character of any given gender should look like.

But what would such a person really look like, if they were doing those kinds of things?

And why do so many people struggle to believe women can take on certain kinds of roles (Eg. A recent view I heard someone express was "I can't imagine a woman as a heavy-weapons expert.")

But, the truth is, firstly, game characters aren't realistic, but neither are gender stereotypes. Because anyone of either sex can probably do just about anything quite well if they're determined enough.

OK, but back to the point. What do real athletes look like?
You know, the people that can actually do at least some of the stuff we take for granted from video game characters?

Well, often, not at all what you would expect them to look like.

Have a look at this:
http://ninamatsumoto.wordpress.com/2010/12/18/athletic-body-diversity-reference-for-artists/

And see how many of these athletes look the way you would expect, given the sport they are part of.

Does it match up with what you were expecting?

(Personally, I find the gymnastics athletes to most resemble the typical gaming stereotypes. And the weight-lifters are the biggest single surprise, since they don't look at all like anyone 'strong')

 

[LostAlone]

It matters drastically on what sport and what level its played at as to what the athletes look like.

Honestly speaking, most athletes just look like regular people but more in shape *shrug*. Some people are crazy about muscles and spend all their time getting pointlessly buff, but they are definitely in a minority even among professional athletes.

TBH, I think that you are looking in the wrong place for 'realistic' bodyshapes. Look at elite armed forces guys, particularly USMC and Navy Seals guys (marines because they have a kinda hyper-macho image to live up to, SEALS because they aren't actually classified and theres plenty of pictures of them... tbh any elite formation works... rangers, green berets, whatever... To my knowledge the SEALs are one of very few hyper elites who are publicly viewable)

Basically, if you don't kill people professionally, you don't train and live in the same way, so thats where I'd be thinking.

Most games are to some degree stylized anyway so comparing them to reality is pretty pointless. If you were the same shape as almost any video game character you'd have serious balance issues with shoulders twice the width of your waist and vast upper body muscles on regular people legs for example.

 

[CrystalShadow]

It matters drastically on what sport and what level its played at as to what the athletes look like.

Honestly speaking, most athletes just look like regular people but more in shape *shrug*. Some people are crazy about muscles and spend all their time getting pointlessly buff, but they are definitely in a minority even among professional athletes.

TBH, I think that you are looking in the wrong place for 'realistic' bodyshapes. Look at elite armed forces guys, particularly USMC and Navy Seals guys (marines because they have a kinda hyper-macho image to live up to, SEALS because they aren't actually classified and theres plenty of pictures of them... tbh any elite formation works... rangers, green berets, whatever... To my knowledge the SEALs are one of very few hyper elites who are publicly viewable)

Basically, if you don't kill people professionally, you don't train and live in the same way, so thats where I'd be thinking.

Most games are to some degree stylized anyway so comparing them to reality is pretty pointless. If you were the same shape as almost any video game character you'd have serious balance issues with shoulders twice the width of your waist and vast upper body muscles on regular people legs for example.

OK, fair point.

But the issue with that blog is countering the perception that there is one specific look that shows someone is 'fit' or not.

As that group of athletes clearly shows, there is a HUGE variation in looks, well beyond the type of designs we see in games most of the time.

And some of them are so far removed from what we usually consider 'fit', that it does raise questions about what a 'fit' person looks like.