surf dtoid with 
Rising (10+)
People you follow
send message
follow
followers
To be honest I think much of the sexism debate goes over people’s heads. They simply do not understand the issues very well or the question of what are the tropes of sexism as they pertain to different games, Anita’s project, or even the game media’s acceptance that it is an issue.
I think, the most interesting part most of the professional game media agree that sexism is an issue. Meanwhile a vocal minority of game fans who typically “lionize” the views of the same game media in this case dismiss sexism.
How is it we came to the point where the very people gamers respect to talk about games on other subjects are not listened to on this subject? I’m not sure I know the answer except to say, game journalists seem as a group more enlighten then their audience or at least more willing to explore the issue in rational debate then their audience.
I think, the most interesting part most of the professional game media agree that sexism is an issue. Meanwhile a vocal minority of game fans who typically “lionize” the views of the same game media in this case dismiss sexism.
How is it we came to the point where the very people gamers respect to talk about games on other subjects are not listened to on this subject? I’m not sure I know the answer except to say, game journalists seem as a group more enlighten then their audience or at least more willing to explore the issue in rational debate then their audience.
Honestly, the reason you find yourself thinking in terms of sexism is because that is what everybody makes it sound like it has to be about. The three things people love to bitch about are religion, sexism, and politics; to the point where its pretty hard to discuss such things without everybody getting angry because its being discussed yet for some reason they can't stop talking about it.
I could care less about what people perceive as sexist. People are often completely misinformed, and quick to storm over any bit of controversy like cattle. Why do we constantly conform to these bizarre ideas that we must constantly be discussing things like sexism in media when it does not matter one bit, the only reason people think it matters is because without that discussion they have nothing to rant about.
I could care less about what people perceive as sexist. People are often completely misinformed, and quick to storm over any bit of controversy like cattle. Why do we constantly conform to these bizarre ideas that we must constantly be discussing things like sexism in media when it does not matter one bit, the only reason people think it matters is because without that discussion they have nothing to rant about.
As a woman growing up with the gaming industry...A lot of "sexist" content actually doesn't bother me nor do I understand some of their claims. Maybe it's either because I'm such an oppressed mind that I grew up just accepting things at an early age....
Or maybe everything isn't really as sexist as we believe it is and just say it is for the sake of conversation.
For example, a fellow DToid writer wrote an article last year discussing about how the Skyrim adds were sexist. (Sadly, I am on my phone and cannot find/paste the link to it.) It was an interesting exploration regarding the game's commerial and heavy masculine tones. The default character shown in the commerical as well as the game's cover featured a man. Then when you translated the Dovakin song, it talked about a male being the "chosen one".
Her arguments were valid but frankly when I first saw Skyrim's adds my reaction wasn't "Why isn't there a woman!?" It was, "Holy fuck there's dragons! Take my money now!"
And I'm not going to force a composer who needed to write a song in a fictitious language write for a unisex gender or write he/she.
The reason for this was because I already knew I could play as a female if I wanted nor did I need a developer to cater to my feminine side to make me want their game. They just needed to appeal to my "gamer" side - like all advertisements should. I don't need a flipable cover to not feel offended or justify my purchase. I just need to know the game will be good.
Why can't everyone see that?
Or maybe everything isn't really as sexist as we believe it is and just say it is for the sake of conversation.
For example, a fellow DToid writer wrote an article last year discussing about how the Skyrim adds were sexist. (Sadly, I am on my phone and cannot find/paste the link to it.) It was an interesting exploration regarding the game's commerial and heavy masculine tones. The default character shown in the commerical as well as the game's cover featured a man. Then when you translated the Dovakin song, it talked about a male being the "chosen one".
Her arguments were valid but frankly when I first saw Skyrim's adds my reaction wasn't "Why isn't there a woman!?" It was, "Holy fuck there's dragons! Take my money now!"
And I'm not going to force a composer who needed to write a song in a fictitious language write for a unisex gender or write he/she.
The reason for this was because I already knew I could play as a female if I wanted nor did I need a developer to cater to my feminine side to make me want their game. They just needed to appeal to my "gamer" side - like all advertisements should. I don't need a flipable cover to not feel offended or justify my purchase. I just need to know the game will be good.
Why can't everyone see that?
As a woman growing up with the gaming industry...A lot of "sexist" content actually doesn't bother me nor do I understand some of their claims. Maybe it's either because I'm such an oppressed mind that I grew up just accepting things at an early age....
Or maybe everything isn't really as sexist as we believe it is and just say it is for the sake of conversation.
For example, a fellow DToid writer wrote an article last year discussing about how the Skyrim adds were sexist. (Sadly, I am on my phone and cannot find/paste the link to it.) It was an interesting exploration regarding the game's commerial and heavy masculine tones. The default character shown in the commerical as well as the game's cover featured a man. Then when you translated the Dovakin song, it talked about a male being the "chosen one".
Her arguments were valid but frankly when I first saw Skyrim's adds my reaction wasn't "Why isn't there a woman!?" It was, "Holy fuck there's dragons! Take my money now!"
And I'm not going to force a composer who needed to write a song in a fictitious language write for a unisex gender or write he/she.
The reason for this was because I already knew I could play as a female if I wanted nor did I need a developer to cater to my feminine side to make me want their game. They just needed to appeal to my "gamer" side - like all advertisements should. I don't need a flipable cover to not feel offended or justify my purchase. I just need to know the game will be good.
Why can't everyone see that?
Or maybe everything isn't really as sexist as we believe it is and just say it is for the sake of conversation.
For example, a fellow DToid writer wrote an article last year discussing about how the Skyrim adds were sexist. (Sadly, I am on my phone and cannot find/paste the link to it.) It was an interesting exploration regarding the game's commerial and heavy masculine tones. The default character shown in the commerical as well as the game's cover featured a man. Then when you translated the Dovakin song, it talked about a male being the "chosen one".
Her arguments were valid but frankly when I first saw Skyrim's adds my reaction wasn't "Why isn't there a woman!?" It was, "Holy fuck there's dragons! Take my money now!"
And I'm not going to force a composer who needed to write a song in a fictitious language write for a unisex gender or write he/she.
The reason for this was because I already knew I could play as a female if I wanted nor did I need a developer to cater to my feminine side to make me want their game. They just needed to appeal to my "gamer" side - like all advertisements should. I don't need a flipable cover to not feel offended or justify my purchase. I just need to know the game will be good.
Why can't everyone see that?
@Robert
Sexism, religion and politics are all very real things that have very real effects on people's lives. Just because some people see politics in a chicken sandwich, doesn't mean politics aren't important. Just because some crazy feminists seem more interested in owning manslaves than in equality doesn't mean some women aren't truly victimized by sexism, sometimes in physically violent ways. We shouldn't be so quick to dismiss other people's concerns just because they don't directly affect us.
@Stephanie
You are absolutely right, many of these so-called sexism in gaming allegations are laughable at best. Women can't be kidnapped or they are being portrayed as "damsels in distress", as if men were immune to kidnappings. They can't wear miniskirts or show the slightest hint of sexuality or they are being "objectified". If the protagonist is male or the trailer refers to the protagonist as "he", women are somehow being discriminated, as if developers were no longer allowed to create male protagonists. The list goes on and on and on.
All that being said, it doesn't change the fact that there is real sexism. Something as simple as giving players the option of a female avatar in multiplayer matches is still unavailable in many games. Harassment of girls in online communities seem to be fading but it is still present, among other problems.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, sure, many people are hysterical and a lot of the "controversies" are unfounded if not outright manufactured by websites seeking traffic, but that doesn't mean sexism doesn't exist anywhere, ever.
Sexism, religion and politics are all very real things that have very real effects on people's lives. Just because some people see politics in a chicken sandwich, doesn't mean politics aren't important. Just because some crazy feminists seem more interested in owning manslaves than in equality doesn't mean some women aren't truly victimized by sexism, sometimes in physically violent ways. We shouldn't be so quick to dismiss other people's concerns just because they don't directly affect us.
@Stephanie
You are absolutely right, many of these so-called sexism in gaming allegations are laughable at best. Women can't be kidnapped or they are being portrayed as "damsels in distress", as if men were immune to kidnappings. They can't wear miniskirts or show the slightest hint of sexuality or they are being "objectified". If the protagonist is male or the trailer refers to the protagonist as "he", women are somehow being discriminated, as if developers were no longer allowed to create male protagonists. The list goes on and on and on.
All that being said, it doesn't change the fact that there is real sexism. Something as simple as giving players the option of a female avatar in multiplayer matches is still unavailable in many games. Harassment of girls in online communities seem to be fading but it is still present, among other problems.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, sure, many people are hysterical and a lot of the "controversies" are unfounded if not outright manufactured by websites seeking traffic, but that doesn't mean sexism doesn't exist anywhere, ever.
Oh I am not saying sexism doesn't exist. I have seen my fair share of it in the line of work I do.
However, do keep in mind that not all sexist comments are one sided. Men are discriminated as well and the female gaming community can be vicious if you disagree. I've been banned from and slandered by some sites for not agreeing with a girl gamer web site or for not wanting to glorify my vagina.
However, do keep in mind that not all sexist comments are one sided. Men are discriminated as well and the female gaming community can be vicious if you disagree. I've been banned from and slandered by some sites for not agreeing with a girl gamer web site or for not wanting to glorify my vagina.
