Solving sexism in games: Fat/ugly human female characters

[Jmustang1968]

Point overall being, most of the shirtless musclebound male characters you see in games weren't likely designed with appealing to women in mind. It's not really the same thing as overly buxom female characters. That's all I'm trying to say.

I just think they are exaggerated fantasy gender identifiers. Bulking muscles are exaggerated masculinity while large breasts do the same as a feminine symbol. Sure some games are doing in an exploitative way and meant to target a male audience.

[AppleQueso]

Point overall being, most of the shirtless musclebound male characters you see in games weren't likely designed with appealing to women in mind. It's not really the same thing as overly buxom female characters. That's all I'm trying to say.

I just think they are exaggerated fantasy gender identifiers. Bulking muscles are exaggerated masculinity while large breasts do the same as a feminine symbol. Sure some games are doing in an exploitative way and meant to target a male audience.

I don't think such exaggerated gender identifiers are really even remotely necessary most of the time. Usually it just feels like pandering at best.

One issue is that even in games that don't feel any need to exaggerate male characteristics will often exaggerate female characteristics anyway. You'll see stuff like women in ridiculous or impractical clothing/armor that contrasts sharply with more reasonable outfits worn by the males. That last one's a huge peeve of mine, there's really no excuse for that.

[Jmustang1968]

I just think they are exaggerated fantasy gender identifiers. Bulking muscles are exaggerated masculinity while large breasts do the same as a feminine symbol. Sure some games are doing in an exploitative way and meant to target a male audience.

I don't think such exaggerated gender identifiers are really even remotely necessary most of the time. Usually it just feels like pandering at best.

One issue is that even in games that don't feel any need to exaggerate male characteristics will often exaggerate female characteristics anyway. You'll see stuff like women in ridiculous or impractical clothing/armor that contrasts sharply with more reasonable outfits worn by the males. That last one's a huge peeve of mine, there's really no excuse for that.

Well I mean identifiers and caricatures. I think 'realistic' style games typically handle this more respectfully and/or in realistic proportions. While fantasy style games have a more exaggerated look. There are of course exceptions.

I think the outfits thing is also somewhat a reflection of our culture and fashion as well. Men typically dress in more 'reasonable' attire or have clothing with more coverage, while a lot of womens clothing is more revealing. i.e. bikini bottoms vs swim trunks

[Erik_Twice]

I think we all more or less agree which is cool.

Basically what sucks is "Wheel of Fortune" pandering where you have random tits for no apparent reason other than, well, tits. Which is stupid more than anything else

[Mad_Hatter]

I honestly cannot think of a ugly human character in a video game right now. male or female.

video games always over exaggerate everything. big muscles on guys. big tits on women. in fighting games the guys are always the big muscle fighters while the women are the ultra flexible and faster ones.

[Forlorn Drifter]

See, that's the discussion I was expecting to get.

There's still a point that many games idealize men too. Sure, maybe not in a sexual way, but in more of a social stigma of how a man should look, act, and be. Mario is a glaring exception of course, but in most other games you are muscle-bound or a pretty boy, with very few realistic men. I want a game where I can play an average guy. But that's a rare thing.

Catherine is an example of a game I think sets good on both sides. Realistic men, and women that are within reason on their physical attributes. (Now the attitudes towards sex and women in that game might be a different discussion.)

[Xeogred]

Female skin... strongest alloy in the universe.

[AppleQueso]

See, that's the discussion I was expecting to get.

There's still a point that many games idealize men too. Sure, maybe not in a sexual way, but in more of a social stigma of how a man should look, act, and be. Mario is a glaring exception of course, but in most other games you are muscle-bound or a pretty boy, with very few realistic men. I want a game where I can play an average guy. But that's a rare thing.

What you're touching on here is a huge discussion in itself honestly.

Catherine is an example of a game I think sets good on both sides. Realistic men, and women that are within reason on their physical attributes. (Now the attitudes towards sex and women in that game might be a different discussion.)

Catherine manages to portray both genders pretty negatively.

[MrPopo]

Catherine is an example of a game I think sets good on both sides. Realistic men, and women that are within reason on their physical attributes. (Now the attitudes towards sex and women in that game might be a different discussion.)

Catherine manages to portray both genders pretty negatively.

Catherine realizes that people are assholes. It's the human condition. Neither gender has a monopoly on it.

[AppleQueso]

Catherine is an example of a game I think sets good on both sides. Realistic men, and women that are within reason on their physical attributes. (Now the attitudes towards sex and women in that game might be a different discussion.)

Catherine manages to portray both genders pretty negatively.

Catherine realizes that people are assholes. It's the human condition. Neither gender has a monopoly on it.

That and there's those awesome block puzzles.