Thread: The 57th Parallel Analyzes: Women in games

I made this randomly to show a discussion topic past reviewing and shows a lighter side to the ranter that is seen as Nano. Enjoy these and I might make more if they are also as enjoyed as my reviews.



Earlier in the website I have been a part of for a good thirty six hours, I noticed a post of pictures of women posing within suits that would further release the idea of professionalism within the gaming industry. What I have noticed in the games is that women have been showed more as an object of sexuality other than traits they own that men lack. Another thing I have noticed is the respect girl gamers never get for being within a medium that they wish to share with those around them. Seeing a girl playing Halo or Mass Effect and enjoying it isn’t hot nor is it something that should be feared. I believe that maybe we can make our medium contain true girl gamers and truly fleshed out female characters in games.

First off there are two different types of differences between males and females. The differences are genetic and societal. I’ll give you a second to stop snickering about the genetic thing. Ok we good? A genetic difference, and this should be the most obvious, is their ability to bare children. I think female characters never actually had such an experience before. Sure there have been a mother figure, a mother-like personality, mother problems and a guy who just says “mother” all the time but that leaves out too much of a narrative that could be used. Another thing that is missed is the women’s more dexterous abilities and their more detailed way of thinking. Usually female characters are seen as clumsy, stupid or shallow in depth when there is nothing stopping them from being otherwise. This is a societal trait.

A societal trait is something that society puts pressure on a specific diverse type of person. It’s commonly said that girls like pink or girls are more fragile. That is a societal trait and if it becomes a stereotype, it is almost impossible to suppress. In both good male and female characters, the characters neither fully accept nor reject societal stereotypes pressed upon them. One good example is Samus Aran. We know Samus. Her dark past is clouded with little known about her but with her actions; we can see how she reacts to certain criteria in situations. Think about how she was to the baby Metroid where she had hostility towards others before. Another example would be Naoto Shirogane from Persona 4 who actually felt traumatized from the societal trait thrown on her and that her detective skills would never surmount to the male counterparts because she is female so she works her best to conceal her true gender and has even considered a sex change once before in her life. If that isn’t character development, I don’t know what is.

I have always grown up around girls. I have a sister, I always see my mother because she works at the school I go to and most of my classes consist of women being the majority so I have grown a respect for them. What I am forced to see is girls being talked down to by other males enough to see them cry by me. Some have even feared me after a trauma session causing them to fear mean overall even though I have been friends with them for quite some time. Such talk to girls, especially girl gamers, is a disrespectful act and really makes ourselves seem hostile towards them in the medium I want us to share.

I hope that this passage of words may have changed others into considering more about characters overall beyond what was seen before. Maybe later on in life, I will find that stories change for the better and a rich narrative can be shown in any kind of game. Further doing so will reveal truth and harmony past the intentional controversies protested upon us because of the societal stereotypes. I completely respect women. Hey my avatar is based off of a novel I am attempting to write of a Human/alien hybrid experiment created and he shares the body of a male human but the genitalia of the female only alien race he was mixed with so society frowns upon his defect that makes life hard for him to handle normally.

What I have noticed in the games is that women have been showed more as an object of sexuality other than traits they own that men lack.

So true. It seems that every woman in every game has over portioned boobs, nice ass and a perfect body.

Speaking of, something that always bothered me in the Elder Scrolls was when you stole some old mans clothes and he has a perfect set of abs. What gives?

Originally Posted by matty

So true. It seems that every woman in every game has over portioned boobs, nice ass and a perfect body.

Speaking of, something that always bothered me in the Elder Scrolls was when you stole some old mans clothes and he has a perfect set of abs. What gives?

Apparently the old men loved to hit the 24/7 fitness gym after tending to the cows.

I also hope you enjoyed these tangent moments of my naive mind believing things I hate about the gaming industry will change while ranting on stuff that was bad or annoying in games. The 57th Parallel Motto: "I play it so you don't have to."

It isn't just in games either, it is in all media that women are portrayed this way. I too hate the disrespect that is shown to women but it is better here in American than in some places I have visited. Trust me on that. We are moving forward as a whole, I think. Strong willed women are what we need to better drive a wedge between oppression and women in America.

I too have noticed that pretty much every single girl in video games has the big boobs with a perfect body. Why I am not sure. It does not make me want to play the game more. Make her average please.

And I would just like to say that woman should be created as equals on the games. They should have some very smart ones on there. Yes there are some dumb woman in this world but there are also a lot of really dumb men as well.

Media does portray this as well. It is really a shame. It is disrespectful and I appreciate it Xman for pointing this out.

Originally Posted by angie828

I too have noticed that pretty much every single girl in video games has the big boobs with a perfect body. Why I am not sure. It does not make me want to play the game more. Make her average please.

And I would just like to say that woman should be created as equals on the games. They should have some very smart ones on there. Yes there are some dumb woman in this world but there are also a lot of really dumb men as well.

Media does portray this as well. It is really a shame. It is disrespectful and I appreciate it Xman for pointing this out.

Well I think that, since the stereotype of big breasted women has been here for a while, it will take some time to stop that problem. Eventually we will win but for now, we will have to keep fighting for the sake of reason within our society.

Originally Posted by IyeNano

Well I think that, since the stereotype of big breasted women has been here for a while, it will take some time to stop that problem. Eventually we will win but for now, we will have to keep fighting for the sake of reason within our society.

Yes I agree with you. I think that it will be a long time before we see woman that actually look like woman. I can not really recall a game that I have played that the woman are in propoportion. I am not saying that there are not any. If there are, please do let me know so I can check it out.

I just do not feel that to be a good game you have to have the typical stereotypes. Like not all the girls should have the big breast. And do not make them all dumb. Mix it up. Have maybe one with bigger boobs and then one be super smart. Or have the same girl have both. Nother makes me madder when people assume that if you have big boobs and are blond you are dumb. this may floor some people but you can have all three. Really you can.

I am not sure really how you can fight for it though. People will continue to buy the games no matter what. I guess it will most likely always be like this.

Originally Posted by angie828

Yes I agree with you. I think that it will be a long time before we see woman that actually look like woman. I can not really recall a game that I have played that the woman are in propoportion. I am not saying that there are not any. If there are, please do let me know so I can check it out.

I just do not feel that to be a good game you have to have the typical stereotypes. Like not all the girls should have the big breast. And do not make them all dumb. Mix it up. Have maybe one with bigger boobs and then one be super smart. Or have the same girl have both. Nother makes me madder when people assume that if you have big boobs and are blond you are dumb. this may floor some people but you can have all three. Really you can.

I am not sure really how you can fight for it though. People will continue to buy the games no matter what. I guess it will most likely always be like this.

Mirror's Edge, Silent Hill, Mass Effect isn't too bad on the subject, and there is more I may have yet to discover.

I have never played Mirror's Edge. I will have to check into that. I really do not know a lot about Mass effect either. so thanks. I have played Silent Hill though and you are right. This one is not that bad either. Thanks for sharing the other two.

Dude, I like the way chicks look in games. Top heavy, sexy and slim! ffs, don't kill this for me!