Kickstarter "Tropes vs Women in Videogames"

[Violent By Design]

So the question is, are there a lack of good female characters? Sure, but where are all the quality male characters? There aren't that many, and quite frankly, video games is a medium that does not require good characters, and it's went many years with out really having any (many more if we're just talking mainstream titles). So since it is not a necessity, there is little reason to have expectations of having all these fantastic characters, much less female ones.

The focus is not so much that female game characters aren't well written, but that they predominately conform to male fantasies.

It's a generalization all-around, since fantasy is an individual thing, but it's a valid point nonetheless.

But it still doesn't make sense then.

Male characters also conform to male fantasies. The primary demograph is for males.

And apparently woman also like a lot of the female characters in gaming. If we're going to generalize, woman love the slender sexy chicks like Laura Croft (which I don't remember anything being wrong with her), Catwoman and Bayonetta (assuming that's her name). Sure some don't, but not every guy likes the damsel in the distress either if we're not going to stereotype. Furthermore, people buy those games regardless, if someone really wanted to make a stand, you would not buy them (or go further and heavily slander the product). I mean I'd comment more, but there is no video made to comment, so I don't even know her argument yet.

So what's really the problem? Still seems like lack of good characters to me.

[AppleQueso]

There are a lot more women who play video games than most men realize.

[Violent By Design]

There are a lot more women who play video games than most men realize.

Erm..is this a reply to what I said?

[isiolia]

But it still doesn't make sense then.

Male characters also conform to male fantasies. The primary demograph is for males.

Well, no, that's still kind of the whole point of it. Games are not an inherently male or female oriented product (like, say, Tampons, or mustache wax). Current trends might skew them towards a male audience, but that could be more of a "which came first?" kind of deal.

And apparently woman also like a lot of the female characters in gaming. If we're going to generalize, woman love the slender sexy chicks like Laura Croft (which I don't remember anything being wrong with her), Catwoman and Bayonetta (assuming that's her name). Sure some don't, but not every guy likes the damsel in the distress either if we're not going to stereotype. Furthermore, people buy those games regardless, if someone really wanted to make a stand, you would not buy them (or go further and heavily slander the product). I mean I'd comment more, but there is no video made to comment, so I don't even know her argument yet.

So what's really the problem? Still seems like lack of good characters to me.

I would say most of those would have a mixed reaction at best. Though, personally, I think it's also where seeing more feedback from women about what they'd like to see, rather than just the complaints.

Characters being written better or worse doesn't necessarily change their appeal. Consider film instead. Objectively speaking, for example, neither the Expendables movies or the Twilight series are particularly well written. Both, however, are enjoyable to the particular audiences that they pander to. Those that don't care for them aren't going to keep them from being successful because their success doesn't ride on them appealing to everyone.

Think how most guys would feel if 95% of films released to theaters or Blu-ray were made to appeal to teenage girls. Then, when pointing out how poor the depictions of men are, were handed the rationale that "well, teenage girls are the primary demographic for movies".

[J T]

The first video in the series is now live:

http://kotaku.com/5989286/heres-anita-s ... ames-video

[Erik_Twice]

You are going to make me watch that, aren't you?


Have to say, after reading she's going to make an episode about "men with boobs", that is, "not real women" and hearing her quite sexist, yes, sexist, comments elsewhere I'm not very willing to give it a hit. Perhaps later on, when I'm in a better mood.

[jfrost]

It was enjoyable, though I wish she could detail more her arguments on why the damsel in distress trope is so damning. Most people see it as harmless, specially given the most notable examples of it (it is admittedly just a flimsy justification for gameplay). Well, I can't get too worked up about that...

[Nemoide]

I think it's a good video and am looking forward to part 2!

[BoneSnapDeez]

The first video in the series is now live:

http://kotaku.com/5989286/heres-anita-s ... ames-video

Thank you! This is great.

[AppleQueso]

I only was able to catch a little bit of that, but... wow, really? THIS was the woman that had 4chan in such a raging fit? What on earth is she saying that's so horrifically controversial to them?