I don’t play these games, but my kids do. And I am thinking (as a man), why wouldn’t I want my character to be a hot girl. If I an going to spend hundreds of hours staring at an ass, I would rather it be a hot girl ass.
Right, because when Tomb Raider first came out on PS1 almost 30 years ago you could totally make out Lara’s hot ass from the seven or eight polygons that formed her entire body.
If your main goal is just to create a character that looks as lewd as possible, that’s a little sus in my books. Preferences and all that, I know, but do we really need to add to the already prevalent objectification of women?
I’m was right there with you a few years ago. My daughter plays, and I was sure to point out how it was catering to male fantasy and all that. But then I took her to some conventions she asked to go to. Do you know what I saw. More women then men.
And there was a space of computers that people could stop and play genshin and the like. Again more women then men. And the women were all playing genshin while the guys were playing games with more zoomed out interactions.
It turns out that women are a big part of the reason for the intricate costumes on female characters and such.
I still don’t know what really to make of it all, but I do know my first impression of a game just objectifying women for male pleasure is not accurate.
And don’t get me started on the female cosplayers at these conventions.
Regarding Genshin’s large female audience, (1) there are a lot of hot male characters, (2) its two sister games have a lot of gay / lesbian characters, and therefore a large LGBT fanbase, and (3) the Genshin community is (relatively) friendly and casual, since there is no PvP.
Thanks for taking the time to write out a response. I think it might depend on the game and some games are probably “better” examples of what I meant. As long as it’s equal for both male as well as female characters, I don’t mind at all since that would be equality then. But in a game like Monster Hunter, some armour sets are just quite… exposing. Like, you’re fighting giant monsters, dragons and what not, but it’s probably a good idea to run around with an exposed chest and legs whilst the rest being covered by armour. The definition of armour is really loose then, I feel like.
As long as the armour/outfit fits in with the game world, I don’t mind too much since you can come up with lore reasons for why a certain piece of clothing or armour is designed the way it is. However, there certainly examples of both where it’s quite obvious that they’ve been designed for the male gaze first and foremost.
If I have the choice, I like to have my protagonist as a woman because it’s just you know different from the norm. Like I chose a female shepherd in Mass effect and now I can’t see that character as anything but a badass woman.
I will be one of the first people in line to call out someone for objectifying women, but these are cartoon women. I really don’t think it’s a big deal. I really think it’s okay to ogle a fictional ass. It’s not my thing, but it doesn’t hurt anyone. It’s a victimless crime.
Xiangling (the character OP is playing) is (in)famously meta, since she is easy to get, easy to play and very overpowered. All National and International teams revolve around her, and even random teams splash her because she’s just so good.
I don’t play these games, but my kids do. And I am thinking (as a man), why wouldn’t I want my character to be a hot girl. If I an going to spend hundreds of hours staring at an ass, I would rather it be a hot girl ass.
That’s legit the reason why Lara Croft is the star of Tomb Raider.
Right, because when Tomb Raider first came out on PS1 almost 30 years ago you could totally make out Lara’s hot ass from the seven or eight polygons that formed her entire body.
I played 3d peron games (not online). Always picked girl for that reason. Never mattered because i’d end up focusing on the game.
If your main goal is just to create a character that looks as lewd as possible, that’s a little sus in my books. Preferences and all that, I know, but do we really need to add to the already prevalent objectification of women?
I’m was right there with you a few years ago. My daughter plays, and I was sure to point out how it was catering to male fantasy and all that. But then I took her to some conventions she asked to go to. Do you know what I saw. More women then men.
And there was a space of computers that people could stop and play genshin and the like. Again more women then men. And the women were all playing genshin while the guys were playing games with more zoomed out interactions. It turns out that women are a big part of the reason for the intricate costumes on female characters and such. I still don’t know what really to make of it all, but I do know my first impression of a game just objectifying women for male pleasure is not accurate. And don’t get me started on the female cosplayers at these conventions.
Regarding Genshin’s large female audience, (1) there are a lot of hot male characters, (2) its two sister games have a lot of gay / lesbian characters, and therefore a large LGBT fanbase, and (3) the Genshin community is (relatively) friendly and casual, since there is no PvP.
Thanks for taking the time to write out a response. I think it might depend on the game and some games are probably “better” examples of what I meant. As long as it’s equal for both male as well as female characters, I don’t mind at all since that would be equality then. But in a game like Monster Hunter, some armour sets are just quite… exposing. Like, you’re fighting giant monsters, dragons and what not, but it’s probably a good idea to run around with an exposed chest and legs whilst the rest being covered by armour. The definition of armour is really loose then, I feel like.
As long as the armour/outfit fits in with the game world, I don’t mind too much since you can come up with lore reasons for why a certain piece of clothing or armour is designed the way it is. However, there certainly examples of both where it’s quite obvious that they’ve been designed for the male gaze first and foremost.
If I have the choice, I like to have my protagonist as a woman because it’s just you know different from the norm. Like I chose a female shepherd in Mass effect and now I can’t see that character as anything but a badass woman.
Dude, I feel you. I did the same. I didn’t do it for the looks tho, which is what I was pointing to specifically.
Where did you get “create a character that looks as lewd as possible” from “hot girl ass?”
I will be one of the first people in line to call out someone for objectifying women, but these are cartoon women. I really don’t think it’s a big deal. I really think it’s okay to ogle a fictional ass. It’s not my thing, but it doesn’t hurt anyone. It’s a victimless crime.
Xiangling (the character OP is playing) is (in)famously meta, since she is easy to get, easy to play and very overpowered. All National and International teams revolve around her, and even random teams splash her because she’s just so good.
Found Anita Sarkeesian.
Huh?