Solving sexism in games: Fat/ugly human female characters

[Retrogamer0001]

Point taken.

[ZenErik]

I voted yes to more 'ugly female characters' for fun. But I guess most people took this a bit more serious.

[Key-Glyph]

The reaction of, 'It's not that bad,' 'It's our medium, anyway,' 'Women should sit down, shut up, and like it if they want to be a part of our hobby,' is not acceptable. I suspect that the intense defensiveness is based partly on fear that enjoyment of games like Mario will connote sexism. Rest easy: You do not need to disavow your love for Mario because its creator is a sexist pig. If you understand that Princess Peach and Princess Zelda are not positive examples of women, then that is all that's required of you. You do not need to join the feminist movement, or rally for women's rights. The only thing that's being asked of you is the understanding that gender equality is a process that comes from greater representation of positive gender roles for all genders. (Including, and--god, especially--transgendered people.)

It is not okay to brush the argument aside because you perceive it to be intruding on the space beyond your personal bubble. This is clearly the perfect place for the discussion of gender roles, and how they hurt certain genders more than others. You are not being attacked by "feminazis"; you are being asked to understand why there are women who feel uncomfortable with how they are being represented in video games, and in society. Your favorite games are not being attacked. You are being asked to examine the relationships of characters in those games, and hopefully come to the realization that they are not how women should be depicted. (In some ways, particularly in this medium.)

*slow clap*

pierrot, I just want to say I admire your eloquent determination in this thread.

[MrEco]

I'm don't want to make this post too long, cause it's not really worth the time when there's a 50/50 chance of the OP trolling us all, but...

Of all the shit you're all talking about, how has no one pointed out the majorly flawed thinking it requires to base a characters physical appearance off of the hentai that fans drew of them?

I'm going to have to disagree with Chie. I haven't played the game but she's a sporty tomboy with a fit body. I know because I've seen the hentai. As for Naoto, he's sexually ambiguous but definitely not unattractive or ugly. Anyway, they're both slim and sleek as you said.

Hentai =/= official art. According to that fucked up logic every female video game character has a three foot long dick and tits the size of truck tires just because someone out on the internet drew them that way.

[isiolia]

Of all the shit you're all talking about, how has no one pointed out the majorly flawed thinking it requires to base a characters physical appearance off of the hentai that fans drew of them?

The example given isn't really describing an artist taking liberties with the character's appearance.

[MrEco]

Of all the shit you're all talking about, how has no one pointed out the majorly flawed thinking it requires to base a characters physical appearance off of the hentai that fans drew of them?

The example given isn't really describing an artist taking liberties with the character's appearance.

True, but even so, come on. That's still basing a characters appearance off of how someone else other than the actual creator(s) of that character portrays them.


And sorry, but why did you post that wiki link? I've played Persona 4, I know what Chie looks like. lol

[isiolia]

True, but even so, come on. That's still basing a characters appearance off of how someone else other than the actual creator(s) of that character portrays them.


And sorry, but why did you post that wiki link? I've played Persona 4, I know what Chie looks like. lol

The original comment was basically just saying they knew what the character looked like despite not playing the game. Not really worth making a fuss over, or changing an argument one way or another.

...and as far as linking, because a.) I don't know what games you've played or not, and b.) you aren't the only one reading the thread.

[flex wood]

I'm just going to suggest we remove all women from video games to solve this problem.

Mario will try to rescue his plunger instead of a woman, Samus is now Samuel, and Dixie Kong is now Dicky Kong.

[dsheinem]

The reaction of, 'It's not that bad,' 'It's our medium, anyway,' 'Women should sit down, shut up, and like it if they want to be a part of our hobby,' is not acceptable. I suspect that the intense defensiveness is based partly on fear that enjoyment of games like Mario will connote sexism. Rest easy: You do not need to disavow your love for Mario because its creator is a sexist pig. If you understand that Princess Peach and Princess Zelda are not positive examples of women, then that is all that's required of you. You do not need to join the feminist movement, or rally for women's rights. The only thing that's being asked of you is the understanding that gender equality is a process that comes from greater representation of positive gender roles for all genders. (Including, and--god, especially--transgendered people.)

It is not okay to brush the argument aside because you perceive it to be intruding on the space beyond your personal bubble. This is clearly the perfect place for the discussion of gender roles, and how they hurt certain genders more than others. You are not being attacked by "feminazis"; you are being asked to understand why there are women who feel uncomfortable with how they are being represented in video games, and in society. Your favorite games are not being attacked. You are being asked to examine the relationships of characters in those games, and hopefully come to the realization that they are not how women should be depicted. (In some ways, particularly in this medium.)

*slow clap*

pierrot, I just want to say I admire your eloquent determination in this thread.

Nicely stated, pierrot. For those interested in a discussion along the lines of what you are getting at here, see also the "Nerds and Male Privilege" thread: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 45&t=35028

[Damm64]

Nicely stated, pierrot. For those interested in a discussion along the lines of what you are getting at here, see also the "Nerds and Male Privilege" thread: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 45&t=35028

Readed the article of the thread and is so much better than watching Anita's videos. This is the kind of articles that should get millions of views and make people talk.