Poll: Let's Get Some Honesty, Shall We? (Regarding Big Breasts/Sexy Female Game Characters)

[Nickolai77]

I totally agree with your 'cheap and lazy' comment - well said. And perhaps I didn't articulate my point properly, which was meant to infer that both the gaming industry in general, and gaming males in general, don't account for the potentially offensive, even damaging, portrayal of overtly sexualized females. Just as I would be disquieted by lewd male anatomy being viewed by my young daughter, I'm sure she'd feel the same way about my indulging the latest Skyrim porn armor. Again, my point, which you make so much more clearly, is that this sort of characterization engenders disrespect, and quite possibly offense, at a level we're all too desensitized to.

Thanks again for your perceptive clarification. And yes - I'd be disappointed if the Elder Scrolls stooped to that.

I appreciate your very polite reply, i'm slightly taken aback, thanks! It helps make up for all the times i've been quoted on the Escapist by people with a less hospitable attitude towards my views.

I think most gamers do want more interesting female characters in their games, the trouble is with the whole debate is that it's related to feminism and many young male gamers have a knee-jerk reaction against anything even related to those sorts of ideologies. Part of me thinks that the push for more developed female characters in games should aim to disassociate itself from feminism and make the argument based purely on advancing artistic quality in games and increasing female participation. I've watched some of Anita Sarkensan's videos, and i do agree with a lot of what she says- BUT, whilst i hold no grudge against her or her views, i feel she's inadvertently turned the whole debate about female sexualisation in games very toxic by kicking down the door and marching into the debate waving the flag of feminism in a very unsubtle manner.

As a final note, you'd also think that the average male hetrosexual would be instinctively in favour of anything that might attract more females into gaming. Who here wouldn't want want a gamer-girlfriend?

 

[Badger]

I totally agree with your 'cheap and lazy' comment - well said. And perhaps I didn't articulate my point properly, which was meant to infer that both the gaming industry in general, and gaming males in general, don't account for the potentially offensive, even damaging, portrayal of overtly sexualized females. Just as I would be disquieted by lewd male anatomy being viewed by my young daughter, I'm sure she'd feel the same way about my indulging the latest Skyrim porn armor. Again, my point, which you make so much more clearly, is that this sort of characterization engenders disrespect, and quite possibly offense, at a level we're all too desensitized to.

Thanks again for your perceptive clarification. And yes - I'd be disappointed if the Elder Scrolls stooped to that.

I appreciate your very polite reply, i'm slightly taken aback, thanks! It helps make up for all the times i've been quoted on the Escapist by people with a less hospitable attitude towards my views.

I think most gamers do want more interesting female characters in their games, the trouble is with the whole debate is that it's related to feminism and many young male gamers have a knee-jerk reaction against anything even related to those sorts of ideologies. Part of me thinks that the push for more developed female characters in games should aim to disassociate itself from feminism and make the argument based purely on advancing artistic quality in games and increasing female participation. I've watched some of Anita Sarkensan's videos, and i do agree with a lot of what she says- BUT, whilst i hold no grudge against her or her views, i feel she's inadvertently turned the whole debate about female sexualisation in games very toxic by kicking down the door and marching into the debate waving the flag of feminism in a very unsubtle manner.

As a final note, you'd also think that the average male hetrosexual would be instinctively in favour of anything that might attract more females into gaming. Who here wouldn't want want a gamer-girlfriend?

You make another excellent point - that intelligent and capable women, indeed intelligent and capable people overall, are ultimately far more rewarding in a relationship than stereotypical models of sexuality, bereft of personality. Your other point regarding feminism is also well taken, as such temperamental views are no more rational than the game designer's tawdry innuendos. I suppose these attitudes get product off the shelves, but at what cost to our esteem?
A previous commenter assured me that if everyone ran around naked, carrying on about sexuality and all its varied flavors, that my daughter would see the light of reason by virtue of adults having banished their peculiar assumptions. I suggest that person is unfamiliar with parenthood, somewhat naive regarding perversity, and uninitiated in the remarkably prejudicial minds of children who too frequently cement their sense of self by tormenting others.

Nonetheless, this commentator readily concedes your point that quality is sorely lacking in contemporary gaming characterizations.

Finally, you suggest that heterosexual males would be excited by the prospect of engaging more females in gaming. No doubt true, but at the risk of souring our relations, I posit that the auspices under which said females might be attracted, in the current gaming culture, are too lurid to capture these more gentile sensitivities. A more profound swing from simple domination of the environment to a complex series of shifting relationships is in order. But, I fear such introspection is beyond the wit of today's game designers - and more to the point, not sufficiently lucrative. Cheers.

 

[lapan]

Look everybody: there's no issue with having a single sexy woman in a video game. The issue is that 99% of female video game characters are designed to be sexually appealing to dudes. That's what "systemic" means. While male characters can have exaggerated designs, they are literally never sexualised or demeaned in this way.

You can have a sexy character who isn't offensive to women, you just have to realize that you are contributing to a larger problem. (Though when a character is designed entirely to be attractive to dudes - *cough* Arkham City *cough* - that's a problem on its own)

Oh, and just because this is a problem in other media doesn't mean it's okay, and that we shouldn't talk about it.

Arkham City isn't a good example seeing as it's inspired by comics. They didnt have much freedom in designing their characters.

 

[Innegativeion]

Well, sexy is subjective.

I have no problem with females being portrayed as attractive.

eugh... but have some respect for the human body.

To have big bouncing breasts that jiggle with every step she takes?

THAT, I can't fucking stand. Ridiculous exaggeration such as that including outfits totally inappropriate for a character's situation, worn just to look attractive,

it makes me uncomfortable. I'm a straight male, but I like my women classy, and constrained within realistic human proportion.