corneth said:
I'm not entirely certain what section I should put this in, or if there even is a section that fits it, but this needs to be said. I'm not going to lie and say that I'm a massive user of these forums, I'll browse them casually now and then, but every time I glance down at the "Popular Forum Posts" box there's a post about Anita Sarkeesian or rape or a discussion of sexism. My question is why, on a website at least ostensibly about video games are there so many angry posts about feminism and rape? Of the top ten most discussed topics of the last year, five directly or indirectly referenced feminism or sexism in the opening post.
Because various topics and ideologies find it necessary to comment regarding our the VG media incorporates those particular ideas. Opinionated or not, that's the catalyst behind the multiple discussions.
A movie may contain a rape scene and people might discuss the directors purpose behind such a thing, possibly discussing it's raw emotional power on the characters or creating an allegory within the story and the overall frame work of the point behind the movie.
A VG may contain a rape scene and suddenly the entire community is full of rapists. Quite an interesting standard don't you think?
A lot of people talk about VG moving forward as a genre in order to gain the respect it deserves as an art form as well as a mechanic for story telling. But how can we do so when we condemn difficult subject matter from even *existing* within it? Can we not accept that it's time to legitimize such ideas which discussion beyond; "the community is bigoted and we can't have nice things?"
Some might argue the difference is one of interaction; having the player directly involved in such a thing. But isn't that a fantastic way to engage the player on a more visceral level? Watching a movie doesn't excuse the behavior of the character or the viewer either disagreeing with the character, nor does playing grand theft auto create a generation of people incapable of driving behind the wheel.
And of course, some of us beg the question why this particular genre cannot explore such ideas and mechanics? Why can't there be a 50-shades VG? Because some people might not find it appropriate? How has that ever stopped alternate media from pushing such concepts? And like it or not, that is censorship; preventing others from creating certain stories merely because you take offense to them.
Most of the arguments surrounding such things come directly from feminism or feminist ideas; so it's not surprising that you'll find a community a little angry when they are condemned as...
corneth said:
From an outsider, this seems like overkill, and I really don't see a good reason for it. At best it seems excessive, at worst it perpetuates the stereotype that all nerds or "Gamers" are whiny, neckbearded pseudo-intellectuals who can't get any.
...such. Seriously, what is the purpose behind insulting an entire community because a few people are "offended" by someone attempting to control the material & media they have access to?
As an avid reader, would you not be offended by someone attempting to remove the word '******' from Huck Finn because someone finds it offensive? And in turn, prevent all books from using such words?
As an avid movie goer, would you not be offended by someone taking the rape scene out of the original Robocop because someone finds it offensive? And in turn, prevent all movies from using such scenes?
As an avid gamer, would you not be offended by someone attempting to remove the core storyline from Mario Brothers because someone finds it offensive? And in turn, prevent all games from using he damsel trope?
