GBAtemp Debate Club: Videogame Sexism

[Vipera]

I would agree with you, but female gamers are definitely on the rise and game devs continue to model their female characters in more and more unrealistic ways to attract male gamers, which can be both off-putting to the female demographic they're ignoring and mildly dangerous to people (both male and female) who think that those body types are "ideal."

Got any examples? Because I grew up thinking that the coolest bounty hunter was Samus Aran.

 

[TotalInsanity4]

Most MMORPGs. LoL and Starcraft come to mind

 

[Blaze163]

For every 'sexist' character played for sex appeal there's an equal number of strong female role models in gaming. Feminists just cherry pick shit because in the internet age you have to be the loudest and most obnoxious to get senpai to notice you. Actually presenting a coherent debate backed up by properly researched facts and stats is entirely optional. So long as you're loud and sensational, your Patreon gets fed and you can make a pretty decent living by just complaining. But because it's the latest fad, everyone latches onto it. Give it time and feminists will eventually shut up when we all get bored and stop donating to their PayPal Tips Jar.

And for all the feminists out there who think there are no strong non-sexual female role models, here's a short list.

- Blaze Fielding from Streets of Rage. A character so in control that the game clones her as a boss at least 4 times.
- Elena Fisher from Uncharted
- Samus, obviously
- All the female gym leaders in literally all Pokemon games.
- More or less all the female characters in most RPGs.
- Any female unit in any Fire Emblem game.
- Literally any female whatsoever in Monster Hunter.

I could go on but I'm already bored.

 

[LunaWofl]

I would agree with you, but female gamers are definitely on the rise and game devs continue to model their female characters in more and more unrealistic ways to attract male gamers, which can be both off-putting to the female demographic they're ignoring and mildly dangerous to people (both male and female) who think that those body types are "ideal."

Curious thoughts, and you believe the muscular male characters with unrealistic proportions (well I suppose they could have muscle like tumors growing) are any better? Perhaps tangential, but on dating sites you find that statistics are skewed to women having unrealistic expectations of attractiveness, with 80% of men being marked as below average, curious no?

Paradoxically, it seems it’s women, not men, who have unrealistic standards for the “average” member of the opposite sex.

 

[TotalInsanity4]

Curious thoughts, and you believe the muscular male characters with unrealistic proportions (well I suppose they could have muscle like tumors growing). Perhaps tangential, but on dating sites you find that statistics are skewed to women having unrealistic expectations of attractiveness, with 80% of men being marked as below average, curious no?

What do you think contributes to that?

 

[DarkCoffe64]

Girls play videogames?

Nah, just kidding. I know that, out there, exist female gamers, but I never saw one. Rare creatures they are.
But, yeah, talking about the topic, I think marketing is still going with the mentality that there exist only male games.
Not as much as years ago, tho. I do sometimes see some ads for gaming with girls (mostly 'bout "girly" games like Animal Crossing),
but the majority is still all focused on a male demographic. Not that I care much, if you like videogames, no matter what sex you are,
you just play them. Who cares about ads? I want the games!

And this post probably adds nothing to the on-going discussion. Sorry for wasting time and... Server space or what?

 

[LunaWofl]

What do you think contributes to that?

Who knows =q=
Entitlement
Mate value being associated with biological limitations
Unrealistic expectations
Larger interaction pool from males to females
Psychological differences
Brain differences
Society
Upbringing
Influx of single mothers

Considering that correlation does not equate to causation, I think answering that with any absolute certainty would be tricky.

 

[TotalInsanity4]

Girls play videogames?

Nah, just kidding. I know that, out there, exist female gamers, but I never saw one. Rare creatures they are.
But, yeah, talking about the topic, I think marketing is still going with the mentality that there exist only male games.
Not as much as years ago, tho. I do sometimes see some ads for gaming with girls (mostly 'bout "girly" games like Animal Crossing),
but the majority is still all focused on a male demographic. Not that I care much, if you like videogames, no matter what sex you are,
you just play them. Who cares about ads? I want the games!

And this post probably adds nothing to the on-going discussion. Sorry for wasting time and... Server space or what?

No, please, all comments are welcome, it's an open debate

Who knows =q=
Entitlement
Mate value being associated with biological limitations
Unrealistic expectations
Larger interaction pool from males to females
Psychological differences
Brain differences
Society
Upbringing
Influx of single mothers

Considering that correlation does not equate to causation, I think answering that with any absolute certainty would be tricky.

Fair enough

 

[Hungry Friend]

As far as body image goes in games and every other entertainment medium today, male body image is just as warped and unrealistic as the "ideal"(most marketable) female image. Seems like every single fruity looking actor these days takes asstons of steroids to the point of looking like a bunch of goofy, blown up cartoon characters which is just as silly and unrealistic as female stick figures with gargantuan fake tits. I like a little meat on the bone myself Basically fuck madison avenue and don't let their advertising nonsense make you feel bad about your own appearance. Instead of getting offended, why don't we make fun of how fucking dumb the entire entertainment industry is?

This post may be a little incoherent because I'm really tired but I'm sure you all get the gist.

 

[Sterling]

I would agree with you, but female gamers are definitely on the rise and game devs continue to model their female characters in more and more unrealistic ways to attract male gamers, which can be both off-putting to the female demographic they're ignoring and mildly dangerous to people (both male and female) who think that those body types are "ideal."

Keep in mind that you can't stop players from doing what they want within the game's boundaries. Games are for fantasy, not for realism. Most people don't want to look at an average avatar, they want it to be a fanatastic representation of themselves. The average person full well knows that their avatar is idealized because the average person can separate fact and fiction.

The people who can't will be trouble no matter what the medium. You can't change that, and it's not a developer's nor marketer's responsibility to account for that kind of person.

 

[TotalInsanity4]

Ok, this thread's gonna get closed now. Tomorrow's debate will be on the Confederate flag.