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I feel that a lot of the sexism comments come because of the first boss Zed. Was he meant as a fight against misogyny? Cause his vocabulary was quite colorful...
Ah balls. I just realized that the quote PrinceHeir used had me say "day of the dead" instead of "dawn of the dead". Stupid iphone auto correct. Thanks a lot for using my post though! I'm special now.
@Mr. Devilman: Granted I've only been able to watch some of the game being played on the Dtoid Twitch channel, and I did see that battle, but....isn't the bad guy supposed to be a dick?
@solidturtleman The game has sold way, way more copies than either I or WB thought. We're very pleased. There are a lot of things I would change about the game, but I overall love it.
@Clown Baby I'm definitely working on more games in the future. I had a wonderful experience on this one.
@Clown Baby I'm definitely working on more games in the future. I had a wonderful experience on this one.
"I think more than worrying about how fictional women are treated in fictional worlds, we should care about how real women are treated in our real world"
Okay.
"and that means hiring more of them within the gaming world, on all sides of the business. That, of course, would affect how women are treated in games as well."
And what does that have to do with how real women are treated in the real world? Fucking shameless lobbyst.
"I really think we need to create women as more full characters"
Character development it's fine and all, but it shouldn't be the main priority of videogames, specially brawlers.
I have the belief that most of the people demanding politically correctness in videogames don't really give a flying shit about the games themselves, and this "Gunn" expressing his shock over the lack of female videogame industry workers, instead of caring about the amount of women playing videogames, doesn't help with changing that belief.
FUCK THIS GAY EARTH
Okay.
"and that means hiring more of them within the gaming world, on all sides of the business. That, of course, would affect how women are treated in games as well."
And what does that have to do with how real women are treated in the real world? Fucking shameless lobbyst.
"I really think we need to create women as more full characters"
Character development it's fine and all, but it shouldn't be the main priority of videogames, specially brawlers.
I have the belief that most of the people demanding politically correctness in videogames don't really give a flying shit about the games themselves, and this "Gunn" expressing his shock over the lack of female videogame industry workers, instead of caring about the amount of women playing videogames, doesn't help with changing that belief.
FUCK THIS GAY EARTH
"But I think it's important people don't confuse sexuality with sexism. There is nothing in the game, ever, that makes females somehow less than males. To be honest, I think a lot of the criticisms of LC's 'sexism' are really coming from a place where the secret message is sex is bad, sexual attraction is bad, lust is bad. I was raised Catholic: I get it. Yes, Juliet Starling is hot as hell. And, yes, that probably helps to sell copies of the game. But my question is, so what? How in the world does that convey that women are less than men?"
THIS. I feel like this covers about 99% of the rants I see on gaming sites in regards to sexism. People see something that offends them and they attack it and label it inappropriately to further their personal moral agenda.
THIS. I feel like this covers about 99% of the rants I see on gaming sites in regards to sexism. People see something that offends them and they attack it and label it inappropriately to further their personal moral agenda.
@ Lek
I feel better about the rambling and poor grammar in my post now that I've seen yours. Thanks for that.
I feel better about the rambling and poor grammar in my post now that I've seen yours. Thanks for that.
"We want to force the industry to fill quotas" "We want to restrict further the freedom of speech of videogame creators" "Your rights end when our feelings begin" "We want more privileges" "We want more power"
Wow, I don't think I've agreed with anything as much as this in quite some time. Loved this. But this seems like the exact sort of character the Kickstarter feminist (the one who had a series about sexism in games) would automatically categorize as sexist in one of her many 'types' of sexism. If she decided this was not sexist I would be inclined to take her seriously but the amount of characters she did just puts me off of her arguments really.
Still, back on topic, I knew as soon as I opened this article and seen the header image where it was going with the head. It was a brilliant inclusion, comical but also important as an example of how females in an empowered role can actually work in a story. It's nice to think that someday we could have so many examples of that that we could have a female head kept by a male in the story and people wouldn't freak out, as it would just be a joke. But at the moment there are two many situations where the male is in the dominant role so it wouldn't be as funny as it would be a symbol.
Going back to the Kickstarter lady, one of her categories for sexism seems to (basically) be "sexy". This seems pretty shallow to me. Sure, female characters who have no substance are often made up for by being sexy, but this is more a problem with video game writing in general rather than sexism towards women.
This pretty much embodies my arguments in the whole sexism issue that has been brought up a lot recently in the gaming community, and I agree that the issue is more with the gaming community than with the games themselves. (I think back to a Destructoid article detailing a certain 'beat up this person' game directed towards a woman who had angered gamers for a reason that I cannot remember. One such gamer just so happened to know how to program and embodied his anger in that way though I doubt that makes him a "game maker", since no one could really take a person seriously if they do stuff like that)
Anyway, great article!
Still, back on topic, I knew as soon as I opened this article and seen the header image where it was going with the head. It was a brilliant inclusion, comical but also important as an example of how females in an empowered role can actually work in a story. It's nice to think that someday we could have so many examples of that that we could have a female head kept by a male in the story and people wouldn't freak out, as it would just be a joke. But at the moment there are two many situations where the male is in the dominant role so it wouldn't be as funny as it would be a symbol.
Going back to the Kickstarter lady, one of her categories for sexism seems to (basically) be "sexy". This seems pretty shallow to me. Sure, female characters who have no substance are often made up for by being sexy, but this is more a problem with video game writing in general rather than sexism towards women.
This pretty much embodies my arguments in the whole sexism issue that has been brought up a lot recently in the gaming community, and I agree that the issue is more with the gaming community than with the games themselves. (I think back to a Destructoid article detailing a certain 'beat up this person' game directed towards a woman who had angered gamers for a reason that I cannot remember. One such gamer just so happened to know how to program and embodied his anger in that way though I doubt that makes him a "game maker", since no one could really take a person seriously if they do stuff like that)
Anyway, great article!
Affirmative action is discrimination too.
The industry should hire people for their skills, not their sex, race, etc.
Accusing the industry of sexism while demanding the industry to hire women for being women sounds pretty comical. But not as much as the huge manginas and whiteknights supporting such travestive.
The industry should hire people for their skills, not their sex, race, etc.
Accusing the industry of sexism while demanding the industry to hire women for being women sounds pretty comical. But not as much as the huge manginas and whiteknights supporting such travestive.
i think ppl are misunderstanding why having more women in the different avenues of gaming is important, and using typical reverse sexism/racism responses. there are a lot of well qualified ppl out there, and no one is saying we should lower the bar. its the same thing that comes up when ppl talk about needing more "____" in any industry. the "___" is another point of view that could be valuable and green light or constructively add to a project that the majority in an industry would otherwise be ignored. stronger characters could emerge almost as a passive perk to this, as they will help shape/grow a character in directions that might be missed otherwise. they might also create something that would be amazing. it can also add variety and experiences that you would normally miss.
and also, especially to @Lek, if ppl were really being hired and given chances biased on skill, the demographics of an industry would reflect that, and there wouldn't be studies showing the opposite.
@Lek -
What the fuck's a lobbyst?
Also - No one ever said anything about filling quotas, but there is a genuine lack of females in the gaming industry. I mean, don't you understand the difference between filling quotas and a company coming to the realization, on its own, that they have an incredible lack of female employees and, actively and of their own volition, being on the lookout for talented females to contribute to their company? No offense, maybe you're an incredibly intelligent person, but your comments make you look like you're parroting the words of someone who has some sense of what's going on. You're bringing up ideas you don't really seem to understand.
Also - Where in the world did I ever say character development was the priority in video games? Just because I said it was a nice thing to have is not the same as saying it's a priority. In fact, characterization and story always needs to fall back if they're getting in the way of the game play. That I HAVE said in numerous interviews.
ALSO - As far as LC is concerned, a lot of the people who have bought the game have been women, which leads me to believe a lot of the people who are playing it are women. The numbers of women gamers are on the rise - the numbers of women in the gaming industry are not. So, yeah, that's not the concern here, because that's not the problem. That is, your bolded statement doesn't really make sense either.
As for your second rant, I have no idea how to respond. Are those things you yourself are saying? Because certainly no one else on this page has said anything like that?
As for your second rant I mean, honestly, it just made you look like an idiot. No one on here has said any of those types of things.
What the fuck's a lobbyst?
Also - No one ever said anything about filling quotas, but there is a genuine lack of females in the gaming industry. I mean, don't you understand the difference between filling quotas and a company coming to the realization, on its own, that they have an incredible lack of female employees and, actively and of their own volition, being on the lookout for talented females to contribute to their company? No offense, maybe you're an incredibly intelligent person, but your comments make you look like you're parroting the words of someone who has some sense of what's going on. You're bringing up ideas you don't really seem to understand.
Also - Where in the world did I ever say character development was the priority in video games? Just because I said it was a nice thing to have is not the same as saying it's a priority. In fact, characterization and story always needs to fall back if they're getting in the way of the game play. That I HAVE said in numerous interviews.
ALSO - As far as LC is concerned, a lot of the people who have bought the game have been women, which leads me to believe a lot of the people who are playing it are women. The numbers of women gamers are on the rise - the numbers of women in the gaming industry are not. So, yeah, that's not the concern here, because that's not the problem. That is, your bolded statement doesn't really make sense either.
As for your second rant, I have no idea how to respond. Are those things you yourself are saying? Because certainly no one else on this page has said anything like that?
As for your second rant I mean, honestly, it just made you look like an idiot. No one on here has said any of those types of things.
Well, whoops, posted that sooner than I meant. I tried to make the last paragraph less mean, but I accidentally posted both. I guess that was my mangina at work.
Wow, James Gunn COMPLETELY misunderstands feminism and the accusations of sexism against Lollipop Chainsaw. I don't doubt it's meant as a tongue-in-cheek, somewhat ironic grind house type of game, but that means nothing when the audience treats it as nothing more than an opportunity to look up a cheerleader's skirt. You can claim it's progressive all you want, but the final test is the effects it has, and they're not going to be anything like what James Gunn thinks.
On top of that, it is extremely offensive the way he defines objectification. Objectification is not about portraying female parts as inferior to male parts, it's about reducing a female character, a female personality, a FEMALE to just objects (legs, boobs, butt, etc), objects that exist for the male viewer's enjoyment. That doesn't make a case that females are inferior, at least not directly, it diminishes women's status, in the eyes of both men and women, and portrays them as subservient to men, existing only for their enjoyment.
And to claim that most of the accusations of objectification secretly contain the message that sex is bad is not only flat out wrong in every way imaginable, it's incredibly insulting. It's no better than saying feminists are just pissed off because they can't get a man. I just can't even express how angry it makes me that James Gunn thinks that, and has the gall to even THINK the game he helped write is progressing gender role representation in video games. And then to say that Juliet is a well developed character because she is realistic (strong in some ways, weak in others, intelligent in some ways, dumb in others) and to say the accusations of her being a sexist character are sexist themselves is just sour grapes in being called out for your weak writing. What people are upset about is that you make this realistic, well developed character and then completely reduce that to her sexuality. Sexuality as part of a characterization is fine, laudable even, because sex and sexuality are elements to all people. But DEFINING women by that sexuality is despicable and, yes, sexist. If Lollipop Chainsaw featured a male protagonist that was realistic in all the ways Gunn mentions, but was also routinely sexualized the way Juliet is, it would come across as completely ridiculous. But it's hot since it's a female character. Which means you are disproportionately using sexuality to define your character in relation to her other characteristics. Which is a form of diminishing female status.
And his point about creating an impossible ideal for women is way off base. First of all, women aren't playing your game because you very, very deliberately excluded them while making and marketing this game. Juliet's depiction is not creating an impossible standard for women, it's creating in men the notion that women are sex objects that exist for their pleasure. So fucking what it's in every other form of pop culture? Would you defend racism the same way? That's an excellent argument for why we have to be extremely diligent in routing it out of all forms of media. And Wolverine's ass doesn't make you feel bad, it's a form of male fantasy. Male objectification is completely different than female objectification. Being a super strong beserker Wolverine is a male fantasy, just like a scantily clad zombie killing cheerleader is ALSO a male fantasy. BOTH forms are damaging to women because of how they breed misogyny in MEN, not low self-esteem in WOMEN (although that is a problem, too). In other words, Victoria's Secret ads often are more damaging because of their effect on men as opposed to their effect on women.
The most dangerous kind of sexism is the sexism that thinks it's feminism. What a fucking tool.
On top of that, it is extremely offensive the way he defines objectification. Objectification is not about portraying female parts as inferior to male parts, it's about reducing a female character, a female personality, a FEMALE to just objects (legs, boobs, butt, etc), objects that exist for the male viewer's enjoyment. That doesn't make a case that females are inferior, at least not directly, it diminishes women's status, in the eyes of both men and women, and portrays them as subservient to men, existing only for their enjoyment.
And to claim that most of the accusations of objectification secretly contain the message that sex is bad is not only flat out wrong in every way imaginable, it's incredibly insulting. It's no better than saying feminists are just pissed off because they can't get a man. I just can't even express how angry it makes me that James Gunn thinks that, and has the gall to even THINK the game he helped write is progressing gender role representation in video games. And then to say that Juliet is a well developed character because she is realistic (strong in some ways, weak in others, intelligent in some ways, dumb in others) and to say the accusations of her being a sexist character are sexist themselves is just sour grapes in being called out for your weak writing. What people are upset about is that you make this realistic, well developed character and then completely reduce that to her sexuality. Sexuality as part of a characterization is fine, laudable even, because sex and sexuality are elements to all people. But DEFINING women by that sexuality is despicable and, yes, sexist. If Lollipop Chainsaw featured a male protagonist that was realistic in all the ways Gunn mentions, but was also routinely sexualized the way Juliet is, it would come across as completely ridiculous. But it's hot since it's a female character. Which means you are disproportionately using sexuality to define your character in relation to her other characteristics. Which is a form of diminishing female status.
And his point about creating an impossible ideal for women is way off base. First of all, women aren't playing your game because you very, very deliberately excluded them while making and marketing this game. Juliet's depiction is not creating an impossible standard for women, it's creating in men the notion that women are sex objects that exist for their pleasure. So fucking what it's in every other form of pop culture? Would you defend racism the same way? That's an excellent argument for why we have to be extremely diligent in routing it out of all forms of media. And Wolverine's ass doesn't make you feel bad, it's a form of male fantasy. Male objectification is completely different than female objectification. Being a super strong beserker Wolverine is a male fantasy, just like a scantily clad zombie killing cheerleader is ALSO a male fantasy. BOTH forms are damaging to women because of how they breed misogyny in MEN, not low self-esteem in WOMEN (although that is a problem, too). In other words, Victoria's Secret ads often are more damaging because of their effect on men as opposed to their effect on women.
The most dangerous kind of sexism is the sexism that thinks it's feminism. What a fucking tool.
Juliet an impossible ideal woman? bullshit. Its totally possible. Just look at her spokeswoman. Jessica Nigri. Shes just as hot as juliet. And has very very similar proportions. This idea that we should not make woman in pop culture attractive because it makes other girls feel bad about themselves is ridiculous. It sounds like it is all going to lead to a world where the beautiful are all but in internment camps so as not to offend the insecure average looking people. I can see it now. Zoey Deschanel and scarlet johanson are being hunted by the Ugly Gestappo, for the crime of being too cute, and too sexy.
@James Gunn
"No one ever said anything about filling quotas"
DUDE, you want the industry to hire women for being women.
"First of all, let me say, I think the gamer community has a big problem with women, and that is that so few women are in the industry! Going around to gaming conventions, I was shocked by the small percentage of women who work in gaming -- there are barely any on the creative side, nor on the business side, nor on the journalistic side. I think more than worrying about how fictional women are treated in fictional worlds, we SHOULD care about how real women are treated in our real world -- and THAT MEANS hiring more of them within the gaming world, on all sides of the business. That, of course, would affect how women are treated in games as well."
You're indirectly asking for affirmative action quotas.
"Where in the world did I ever say character development was the priority in video games?"
And where in the world did i ever say you made such a statement?
I stated my opinion regarding how much priority i think character development should have in videogames.
"That I HAVE said in numerous interviews."
Which i haven't read, and i shouldn't have to. I commented this article on destructoid.
"The numbers of women gamers are on the rise - the numbers of women in the gaming industry are not. So, yeah, that's not the concern here, because that's not the problem."
And what's the problem with the lack of women in the gaming industry?
"As for your second rant I mean, honestly, it just made you look like an idiot. No one on here has said any of those types of things."
LOL
"No one ever said anything about filling quotas"
DUDE, you want the industry to hire women for being women.
"First of all, let me say, I think the gamer community has a big problem with women, and that is that so few women are in the industry! Going around to gaming conventions, I was shocked by the small percentage of women who work in gaming -- there are barely any on the creative side, nor on the business side, nor on the journalistic side. I think more than worrying about how fictional women are treated in fictional worlds, we SHOULD care about how real women are treated in our real world -- and THAT MEANS hiring more of them within the gaming world, on all sides of the business. That, of course, would affect how women are treated in games as well."
You're indirectly asking for affirmative action quotas.
"Where in the world did I ever say character development was the priority in video games?"
And where in the world did i ever say you made such a statement?
I stated my opinion regarding how much priority i think character development should have in videogames.
"That I HAVE said in numerous interviews."
Which i haven't read, and i shouldn't have to. I commented this article on destructoid.
"The numbers of women gamers are on the rise - the numbers of women in the gaming industry are not. So, yeah, that's not the concern here, because that's not the problem."
And what's the problem with the lack of women in the gaming industry?
"As for your second rant I mean, honestly, it just made you look like an idiot. No one on here has said any of those types of things."
LOL
@James Gunn
I'm not sure if your last post was a joke or not... nevertheless it was hilarious.
I hope you work in games again.
Also, when compared to your other movies like Slither and Super, was Lollipop Chainsaw as large or as expensive as a project? Was this a big change (in terms of scale and organization) or was it no big deal in comparision?
I'm assuming that it doesn't measure anywhere near close to Scooby Doo or Dawn of the Dead.
Anyway, thanks again! It's great to get some contact with the developers/filmakers of our favorite time-fills.
I'm not sure if your last post was a joke or not... nevertheless it was hilarious.
I hope you work in games again.
Also, when compared to your other movies like Slither and Super, was Lollipop Chainsaw as large or as expensive as a project? Was this a big change (in terms of scale and organization) or was it no big deal in comparision?
I'm assuming that it doesn't measure anywhere near close to Scooby Doo or Dawn of the Dead.
Anyway, thanks again! It's great to get some contact with the developers/filmakers of our favorite time-fills.
"To be honest, I think a lot of the criticisms of LC's 'sexism' are really coming from a place where the secret message is sex is bad, sexual attraction is bad, lust is bad."
Absolutely spot-on, he nailed everything wrong with the "sexism" issue in video games.
I honestly just wish feminists would leave this medium alone. They obviously do not demonstrate an adequate background of knowledge about video games and make flat-out false statements (as is demonstrated by Sarkeesian on a regular basis) that are sure to win over the non-gaming public when it hits the mainstream news because the general public won't know enough about video games either and will blindly support those false statements in an attempt to look politically correct. This whole issue is being handled very badly and it's dangerous to this industry.
I mean, everyone already knows video games train our children to be mindless killing machines and felons with games targeted towards young kids like Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty, do we really need alleged "sexism" on top of that?
Absolutely spot-on, he nailed everything wrong with the "sexism" issue in video games.
I honestly just wish feminists would leave this medium alone. They obviously do not demonstrate an adequate background of knowledge about video games and make flat-out false statements (as is demonstrated by Sarkeesian on a regular basis) that are sure to win over the non-gaming public when it hits the mainstream news because the general public won't know enough about video games either and will blindly support those false statements in an attempt to look politically correct. This whole issue is being handled very badly and it's dangerous to this industry.
I mean, everyone already knows video games train our children to be mindless killing machines and felons with games targeted towards young kids like Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty, do we really need alleged "sexism" on top of that?
It was a crappy empty game and people who think it is sophisticated societal therapy are naive quasi-jerk offs. There is no truffles and pate to be found in this shit sandwich. It is cheap bubblegum and poor bubblegum at that.
I can't wait to hear why Go Nagai's Kekko Kamen and Cutey Honey aren't just raunchy comedy but are a force for progress.
Man, this has to be one of the coolest comments activity ever on Destructoid! Not only is it thought-provoking, but it also has James Gunn, the man himself, rapid firing in responses!
This is what I wish the editors here would do... Seldom do they respond on the articles they post. =/
Thank you, James Gunn. I can't speak for Destructoid or its community, but I have to say, having you respond here is an absolute honor. You rock!
This is what I wish the editors here would do... Seldom do they respond on the articles they post. =/
Thank you, James Gunn. I can't speak for Destructoid or its community, but I have to say, having you respond here is an absolute honor. You rock!
@ Eric Baker guy: "Wolverine is a male fantasy"
My friend, I assure you, Wolverine is an enjoyable fantasy for many females, as well.
Additionally I would posit this to you: Why can't dudes feel bad about not having perfect bodies? How do you know some guys don't feel "Shit, I wish I had an ass you could bounce a quarter off or 24-pack abs like that superhero." If some women get sad or self conscious about female characters in pop culture with amazing bodies I have no problem believing that it happens to guys, too. My brother, for one, is incredibly self-conscious that way and I notice he tends to bitch about how fat he thinks he is after we watch action movies, and that dude is a firefighter who goes through pretty rigorous training.
In any case, I don't think you can tell someone how they feel, which perhaps was not your intent, but that's how it came across.
My friend, I assure you, Wolverine is an enjoyable fantasy for many females, as well.
Additionally I would posit this to you: Why can't dudes feel bad about not having perfect bodies? How do you know some guys don't feel "Shit, I wish I had an ass you could bounce a quarter off or 24-pack abs like that superhero." If some women get sad or self conscious about female characters in pop culture with amazing bodies I have no problem believing that it happens to guys, too. My brother, for one, is incredibly self-conscious that way and I notice he tends to bitch about how fat he thinks he is after we watch action movies, and that dude is a firefighter who goes through pretty rigorous training.
In any case, I don't think you can tell someone how they feel, which perhaps was not your intent, but that's how it came across.
"I think more than worrying about how fictional women are treated in fictional worlds, we should care about how real women are treated in our real world"
I think that the two are VERY much related. It's not that women are applying in droves and not getting hired; many women aren't even seeking jobs in the game industry, period, and a lot of that is BECAUSE of the portrayal of women.
I think that the two are VERY much related. It's not that women are applying in droves and not getting hired; many women aren't even seeking jobs in the game industry, period, and a lot of that is BECAUSE of the portrayal of women.
@ Eric
Hey Eric. Please stop. You misunderstand this type of comedy. By your logic we shouldn't be able to poke fun at racism, sexism, or any discrimination at all. You are wrong. I am neither sexist nor racist, but I find jokes that are both hilarious. Being able to poke fun at our animalisitic urges is a really great thing that should be encouraged. It shows us how really ridiculous we are.
Have you played Shadows of the Damned, Grasshoppper Manufacture's previous game? Have you even played this? Both deal with sex as power in very interesting, human ways. Also, SotD has a male protagonist who is just as emasculated as Juliet is sexualized. It's ridiculous. They are both ridiculous. Why would a game with a zombie rock and roller driving a motorcycle/elephant mech not be ridiculous?
Hey Eric. Please stop. You misunderstand this type of comedy. By your logic we shouldn't be able to poke fun at racism, sexism, or any discrimination at all. You are wrong. I am neither sexist nor racist, but I find jokes that are both hilarious. Being able to poke fun at our animalisitic urges is a really great thing that should be encouraged. It shows us how really ridiculous we are.
Have you played Shadows of the Damned, Grasshoppper Manufacture's previous game? Have you even played this? Both deal with sex as power in very interesting, human ways. Also, SotD has a male protagonist who is just as emasculated as Juliet is sexualized. It's ridiculous. They are both ridiculous. Why would a game with a zombie rock and roller driving a motorcycle/elephant mech not be ridiculous?
" That's an excellent argument for why we have to be extremely diligent in routing it out of all forms of media. And Wolverine's ass doesn't make you feel bad, it's a form of male fantasy. Male objectification is completely different than female objectification. Being a super strong beserker Wolverine is a male fantasy, just like a scantily clad zombie killing cheerleader is ALSO a male fantasy. BOTH forms are damaging to women because of how they breed misogyny in MEN, not low self-esteem in WOMEN (although that is a problem, too). In other words, Victoria's Secret ads often are more damaging because of their effect on men as opposed to their effect on women. "
Riiight. We need to get rid of designated "dangerous" attitudes themes and materials in media that make stupid men think bad criminal thoughts that make them do bad things.
Men are just these unthinking child like animals that need to be trained by carefully monitored video games, movies, music etc. according to the grand design of some politically correct grandiose little twit who knows the surest path to Utopia.
What utterly stupid condescending bullshit. We don't need to route ANYTHING out of all media for the sake of society. You are just a squeamish self righteous idiot.
Have you met Jack Thompson yet? He's pretty much the bumbling vanguard of that kind of "bad games make us evil" movement. Sure he got disbarred and sued for his ridiculous and destructive law suit and lobbying antics, but he'd probably just LOVE what you said there. Oh save us from our deadly entertainment!
Riiight. We need to get rid of designated "dangerous" attitudes themes and materials in media that make stupid men think bad criminal thoughts that make them do bad things.
Men are just these unthinking child like animals that need to be trained by carefully monitored video games, movies, music etc. according to the grand design of some politically correct grandiose little twit who knows the surest path to Utopia.
What utterly stupid condescending bullshit. We don't need to route ANYTHING out of all media for the sake of society. You are just a squeamish self righteous idiot.
Have you met Jack Thompson yet? He's pretty much the bumbling vanguard of that kind of "bad games make us evil" movement. Sure he got disbarred and sued for his ridiculous and destructive law suit and lobbying antics, but he'd probably just LOVE what you said there. Oh save us from our deadly entertainment!
@eric j baker
...I mean this in the nicest of ways.
Lighten Up.^_^
(Granted, this is coming from a lazy gamer who didn't even read you're entire comment...=.=;;)
...I mean this in the nicest of ways.
Lighten Up.^_^
(Granted, this is coming from a lazy gamer who didn't even read you're entire comment...=.=;;)
@Eric J Baker -
If you really, honestly, think that a work should be judged not on the work itself, but on the way an audience reads it, then you understand art and entertainment a lot less than I understand feminism. BORN IN THE U.S.A. was an amazing Bruce Springsteen album. Dumbshits misunderstood it, and turned it into their fantasy of what they wanted it to be, a series of jingoistic anthems, and support for Ronald Reagan, which is exactly the opposite of how Bruce Springsteen intended it, and he came out and said as much publicly many times. It's still a great album, and people who made it into something it wasn't are dumb -- they weren't able to transform it into something other than what it was through some strange alchemy.
Secondly, I never claimed that Lollipop Chainsaw progressed anything in any way, much less gender roles. I only wanted to create a fun and funny game. I only want to tell stories that make people laugh, or move them for a little while and make them feel less alone.
I don't believe LC ever does diminish Juliet to just a body or just sexuality - she has a personality. Juliet tells a lot more jokes in the game than we see panty shots. But we do admire her body, and are even turned on by it. And that sexuality and titillation are a part of the game. I, again, don't think that reduces a woman (or a man) to that, any more than you can say a female mathematician is reduced to only her knowledge of math when she speaks at a mathematics conference. It's what we're interested in the moment, nothing more.
I never said I thought sexism was portraying female parts as inferior to male parts. Being a heterosexual male, I think female parts are superior to male parts in every way.
If a male protagonist were portrayed the way Juliet Starling is, yes, it would likely come off as gay - OR the TV show Spartacus, which objectifies the male body like this CONSTANTLY - closeups of bare male bottoms, rippling abs, slow motion biceps pulsing. That said, that just may be my current favorite TV show. I don't have any problem with it. I love the gay aspects of Spartacus. It's just another way it's unique and fun.
Lollipop Chainsaw IS ridiculous. Never said otherwise. If that's your argument, you win, straight up.
As for women not playing our game, you're just factually wrong. This is not a matter of opinion. We have a larger percentage of females playing our game than any other WB game, and most games in general - this comes from store exit polls. Believe it or not, a lot of women are attracted to Juliet because of her sexuality - sometimes because they're attracted TO her and other times because they're attracted to the idea of BEING her. It's a fantasy either way.
I also feel the need to point out a lot of your rant is pretty condescending to the hundreds of thousands of women out there playing Lollipop Chainsaw, not to mention the hundreds of Lollipop Chainsaw cosplayers.
My point about perfect bodies being in every single other piece of pop culture is not a defense. It's merely a reason that Lollipop needn't be singled out. If you want to rail against culture as whole, and use Lollipop Chainsaw as an example, go for it.
As for the tool comment, it does kind of nullify everything that comes before it. But I'll let it go because you remind me of myself a little when I was younger and full of reasons to be angry and right, and didn't have a total grasp of sentence structure. And you're not an idiot like the guy on the other side of this conversation who was arguing with me. I believe you'll become a pretty good person in this world, despite all that. And though you may disagree with my point of view on this forever, I promise you I think about what I do and have no malevolent intent. I do my best, I promise.
If you really, honestly, think that a work should be judged not on the work itself, but on the way an audience reads it, then you understand art and entertainment a lot less than I understand feminism. BORN IN THE U.S.A. was an amazing Bruce Springsteen album. Dumbshits misunderstood it, and turned it into their fantasy of what they wanted it to be, a series of jingoistic anthems, and support for Ronald Reagan, which is exactly the opposite of how Bruce Springsteen intended it, and he came out and said as much publicly many times. It's still a great album, and people who made it into something it wasn't are dumb -- they weren't able to transform it into something other than what it was through some strange alchemy.
Secondly, I never claimed that Lollipop Chainsaw progressed anything in any way, much less gender roles. I only wanted to create a fun and funny game. I only want to tell stories that make people laugh, or move them for a little while and make them feel less alone.
I don't believe LC ever does diminish Juliet to just a body or just sexuality - she has a personality. Juliet tells a lot more jokes in the game than we see panty shots. But we do admire her body, and are even turned on by it. And that sexuality and titillation are a part of the game. I, again, don't think that reduces a woman (or a man) to that, any more than you can say a female mathematician is reduced to only her knowledge of math when she speaks at a mathematics conference. It's what we're interested in the moment, nothing more.
I never said I thought sexism was portraying female parts as inferior to male parts. Being a heterosexual male, I think female parts are superior to male parts in every way.
If a male protagonist were portrayed the way Juliet Starling is, yes, it would likely come off as gay - OR the TV show Spartacus, which objectifies the male body like this CONSTANTLY - closeups of bare male bottoms, rippling abs, slow motion biceps pulsing. That said, that just may be my current favorite TV show. I don't have any problem with it. I love the gay aspects of Spartacus. It's just another way it's unique and fun.
Lollipop Chainsaw IS ridiculous. Never said otherwise. If that's your argument, you win, straight up.
As for women not playing our game, you're just factually wrong. This is not a matter of opinion. We have a larger percentage of females playing our game than any other WB game, and most games in general - this comes from store exit polls. Believe it or not, a lot of women are attracted to Juliet because of her sexuality - sometimes because they're attracted TO her and other times because they're attracted to the idea of BEING her. It's a fantasy either way.
I also feel the need to point out a lot of your rant is pretty condescending to the hundreds of thousands of women out there playing Lollipop Chainsaw, not to mention the hundreds of Lollipop Chainsaw cosplayers.
My point about perfect bodies being in every single other piece of pop culture is not a defense. It's merely a reason that Lollipop needn't be singled out. If you want to rail against culture as whole, and use Lollipop Chainsaw as an example, go for it.
As for the tool comment, it does kind of nullify everything that comes before it. But I'll let it go because you remind me of myself a little when I was younger and full of reasons to be angry and right, and didn't have a total grasp of sentence structure. And you're not an idiot like the guy on the other side of this conversation who was arguing with me. I believe you'll become a pretty good person in this world, despite all that. And though you may disagree with my point of view on this forever, I promise you I think about what I do and have no malevolent intent. I do my best, I promise.
@EricaC No offense, but I think you're just making up a fact there. I'd like to see that backed up, but I don't believe at all that is true. There is a much greater percentage of female gamers than there are females who work within the gaming industry. I think that kind of speaks for itself.
@Lek You understand that Affirmative Action is a LAW, right? Because you don't seem to. I think the gaming industry should hire more women. I don't think they should legally be forced into doing this.
Likewise, I think all people should give more money to the American Red Cross. I don't think they should be forced into doing it.
See the difference? Seriously, man, you have to stop arguing issues when you don't even understand the very basic aspects of those issues.
Also, I didn't say there was a problem with too few females in the gaming industry. YOU did. I was responding to you, and I quote: ""Gunn" expressing his shock over the lack of female videogame industry workers, instead of caring about the amount of women playing videogames, doesn't help with changing that belief. "
So either you're a very poor writer or you meant that the important thing was that there were too few women playing video games. I think I understand which one it was.
AS FOR THE REST OF YOU - Thanks. I enjoyed this. Much appreciated. Must go.
Likewise, I think all people should give more money to the American Red Cross. I don't think they should be forced into doing it.
See the difference? Seriously, man, you have to stop arguing issues when you don't even understand the very basic aspects of those issues.
Also, I didn't say there was a problem with too few females in the gaming industry. YOU did. I was responding to you, and I quote: ""Gunn" expressing his shock over the lack of female videogame industry workers, instead of caring about the amount of women playing videogames, doesn't help with changing that belief. "
So either you're a very poor writer or you meant that the important thing was that there were too few women playing video games. I think I understand which one it was.
AS FOR THE REST OF YOU - Thanks. I enjoyed this. Much appreciated. Must go.
I agree with all your points actually, James Gunn. I was more frustrated with Jim Sterling's obsession with this topic.
So tired of hearing about this game. Let it die already. We get it: Suda hid some metaphor about sex and violence in art beneath really shallow gameplay and marketing targeted at 16-25 year old males. Move the fuck on already. The game is satirical, but it was sold on the exact same fucking things it claims to be satirizing.
If you like it you like it, if you take issue with the shameless marketing and have no desire to spend 10-20 hours playing a mediore hack and slash so you can get amateur social commentary, then you won't play it. End of conversation.
IT'S OVER.
If you like it you like it, if you take issue with the shameless marketing and have no desire to spend 10-20 hours playing a mediore hack and slash so you can get amateur social commentary, then you won't play it. End of conversation.
IT'S OVER.
@Eric J Baker
You really need to lay off the koolaid.
Guess what? Women are objects - and so are men. You, me, and every other person already objectivizes 99% of the people we meet on an every day basis. Let's take that waiter at the diner down the street. Do you really care about that person? Do you view him as something more than a mere restaurant waiter? Do you even remember his name? Of course not. He's just a low-wage schmuck who brings you your food. Or how about those starving African children? Do you really give a fuck? Heck, even if you give money to a charity, it's more about your own ego than actually giving a damn about the people you're supposedly helping. Stop acting so damn superior. You're not. You're just like everyone else.
Do you really think men are the only ones objectivizing their potential sexual partners? Are you so indoctrinated by this feminazi bullshit that you don't think women do exactly the same thing towards men? Don't be fucking silly. Of course they do. Everyone one of them has an ideal sexual partner they envision in their minds. Every one of them idolizes some celebrity or another simply because they are "hot." Women aren't morally superior to men. Stop acting like they are. However, they are evidently smarter than men because they managed to brainwash a bunch of dumb-fucks like you into thinking they are.
And while we're on that topic, there are plenty of people, men AND women, who simply want to have a little fun now and then without the inherent problems of a serious relationship. Just because people use each other for sex isn't a bad thing, and it doesn't make them bad people. Stop being jealous and grow up.
I'm not going to apologize for my biology. I like sex, I like boobs, I like ass, and I like cooter. And you should be really glad I do, because if men (and women) didn't have the sex drive they did, then odds are you, I, and most every other human being now living today wouldn't be here. Yes, sexuality is powerful, and it can bring harm if not treated with the respect it deserves. But it is not something to fear, and it is especially not something to be ashamed of, nor used as a weapon by feminazis and white-knights with sticks up their ass.
Do you know what it takes for me to respect a woman? It's exactly what it takes for me to respect a man. Simply be competent at whatever you do. If you're a writer, be an excellent writer. If you're a scientist, make some important discoveries. If you're a CEO, then inspire those under you to work hard and make good business decisions for the stockholders.
Do you know what causes me to lose respect for someone? When they constantly whine and cry about made-up bullshit, blaming everyone else for their supposed problems, attempting to censor and control media and people to fit their small minds - which is exactly what people like you are attempting to do. Yes, there was a time when women were discriminated against in the workplace, and, yes, there is still work to be done here and there. But let's be realistic. The simple fact of the matter is a competent woman with the right training can obtain and excel in pretty much any job that a similar man with similar training and skills can do.
Do you really think there is some kind of conspiracy trying to hold women back? Do you really think any major corporation is going to hire a less-qualified man over a more-qualified woman? Of course not. Why? Because all they care about is making as much money as possible, and sooner or later that profit motive trumps any supposed sexism that existed. Maybe, when you encounter a situation or industry with more men than women, instead of assuming some kind of discrimination conspiracy, you'll use what little gray matter is left to discern a more likely scenario (maybe women just aren't as interested in the industry, or don't like the hours and lifestyle involved). Or maybe not. Maybe you'll continue to repeat the same tired conspiracy theories and empty insults (I must be a misogynist because I don't agree with your bullshit, right?).
Finally, all of this video game sexism discussion is bullshit. Sure, sex sells, but not as much as you might think in the game industry. At best, it's icing on the cake. If you don't have a solid game underneath with good gameplay and/or story that's fun to play, all the nudity in the world isn't going to make your game sell. Why? Because why pay $60 for a shitty game with animated boobs when you can get real porn for free on the Internet? As for the industry, things might seem a little out of whack right now, but change will come slowly as the major companies start to understand the demographics playing their games. Heck, being able to choose between a male or female protagonist is becoming more and more common. You couldn't say that 15 years ago. Change will come as the industry learns to profit from changing demographics, not because some annoying, uptight assholes whine about supposed sexism on the Internet.
You really need to lay off the koolaid.
Guess what? Women are objects - and so are men. You, me, and every other person already objectivizes 99% of the people we meet on an every day basis. Let's take that waiter at the diner down the street. Do you really care about that person? Do you view him as something more than a mere restaurant waiter? Do you even remember his name? Of course not. He's just a low-wage schmuck who brings you your food. Or how about those starving African children? Do you really give a fuck? Heck, even if you give money to a charity, it's more about your own ego than actually giving a damn about the people you're supposedly helping. Stop acting so damn superior. You're not. You're just like everyone else.
Do you really think men are the only ones objectivizing their potential sexual partners? Are you so indoctrinated by this feminazi bullshit that you don't think women do exactly the same thing towards men? Don't be fucking silly. Of course they do. Everyone one of them has an ideal sexual partner they envision in their minds. Every one of them idolizes some celebrity or another simply because they are "hot." Women aren't morally superior to men. Stop acting like they are. However, they are evidently smarter than men because they managed to brainwash a bunch of dumb-fucks like you into thinking they are.
And while we're on that topic, there are plenty of people, men AND women, who simply want to have a little fun now and then without the inherent problems of a serious relationship. Just because people use each other for sex isn't a bad thing, and it doesn't make them bad people. Stop being jealous and grow up.
I'm not going to apologize for my biology. I like sex, I like boobs, I like ass, and I like cooter. And you should be really glad I do, because if men (and women) didn't have the sex drive they did, then odds are you, I, and most every other human being now living today wouldn't be here. Yes, sexuality is powerful, and it can bring harm if not treated with the respect it deserves. But it is not something to fear, and it is especially not something to be ashamed of, nor used as a weapon by feminazis and white-knights with sticks up their ass.
Do you know what it takes for me to respect a woman? It's exactly what it takes for me to respect a man. Simply be competent at whatever you do. If you're a writer, be an excellent writer. If you're a scientist, make some important discoveries. If you're a CEO, then inspire those under you to work hard and make good business decisions for the stockholders.
Do you know what causes me to lose respect for someone? When they constantly whine and cry about made-up bullshit, blaming everyone else for their supposed problems, attempting to censor and control media and people to fit their small minds - which is exactly what people like you are attempting to do. Yes, there was a time when women were discriminated against in the workplace, and, yes, there is still work to be done here and there. But let's be realistic. The simple fact of the matter is a competent woman with the right training can obtain and excel in pretty much any job that a similar man with similar training and skills can do.
Do you really think there is some kind of conspiracy trying to hold women back? Do you really think any major corporation is going to hire a less-qualified man over a more-qualified woman? Of course not. Why? Because all they care about is making as much money as possible, and sooner or later that profit motive trumps any supposed sexism that existed. Maybe, when you encounter a situation or industry with more men than women, instead of assuming some kind of discrimination conspiracy, you'll use what little gray matter is left to discern a more likely scenario (maybe women just aren't as interested in the industry, or don't like the hours and lifestyle involved). Or maybe not. Maybe you'll continue to repeat the same tired conspiracy theories and empty insults (I must be a misogynist because I don't agree with your bullshit, right?).
Finally, all of this video game sexism discussion is bullshit. Sure, sex sells, but not as much as you might think in the game industry. At best, it's icing on the cake. If you don't have a solid game underneath with good gameplay and/or story that's fun to play, all the nudity in the world isn't going to make your game sell. Why? Because why pay $60 for a shitty game with animated boobs when you can get real porn for free on the Internet? As for the industry, things might seem a little out of whack right now, but change will come slowly as the major companies start to understand the demographics playing their games. Heck, being able to choose between a male or female protagonist is becoming more and more common. You couldn't say that 15 years ago. Change will come as the industry learns to profit from changing demographics, not because some annoying, uptight assholes whine about supposed sexism on the Internet.
I don't know about anybody else but when I've been looking for a job I've always searched for one that appeals to my desires, sensibilities and skill sets.
What's to say many women just don't want to work in gaming or perhaps feel they don't have the skill set to contribute to the production of a video game?
Its a large step people take when they say they should get more women in the industry. Perhaps there just isn't the same level of interest across genders.
As Mr.Gunn said there there is the Affirmative Action Law but no company in any industry is going to employ people based solely on their genitals, not if they want to keep making money.
What's to say many women just don't want to work in gaming or perhaps feel they don't have the skill set to contribute to the production of a video game?
Its a large step people take when they say they should get more women in the industry. Perhaps there just isn't the same level of interest across genders.
As Mr.Gunn said there there is the Affirmative Action Law but no company in any industry is going to employ people based solely on their genitals, not if they want to keep making money.
Thank God for Jim Sterling. Ok this comment isn't very constructive, but I love that you've taken the time and effort to look into this.
Thank God for James Gunn too. I didn't read the comments before posting and I think that Lollipop Chainsaw's writing was amazing and the fact that he's taking to time to respond to these comments is equally spectacular even if I had no idea who he was before this.
@ctg867
Still haven't played the game and are saying it has mediocre gameplay. For shame.
Why can't we talk about it? Because you dislike the marketing? We'll do whatever the hell we want.
Still haven't played the game and are saying it has mediocre gameplay. For shame.
Why can't we talk about it? Because you dislike the marketing? We'll do whatever the hell we want.
I haven't had the pleasure yet of playing this, but this deconstruction of what i thought was your average japanese schoolgirl fetish zombie simulator has given it extra value. This should come printed in the manual.
Mr. Gunn is spot on about how to combat the problem of sexism in gaming - don't create the visual only with a single purpose to titillate exclusively, create a person. Creating only to be the crush, etc. is disrespectful and really childish to me. I'm tired of groaning every time a character falls in love, or even when a game tries to give me options for romance and you can either be the sleaze or the knight - i'd rather not even be subject to this stupid binary choice and its' "sexy" outcomes if they're going to just exist for that one purpose (to titillate). And you know, it's not going to change until the ratio of male to female developers and gamers is realized.
Tomb Raider and The Last of Us both look to be fully aware of gender roles and seem to be aimed at creating fully fleshed out characters regardless of their sex. Already this Lara Croft has more dimension and depth than ever, and i think her design is largely a reaction to her own sexy but surface-appeal-only past.
Mr. Gunn is spot on about how to combat the problem of sexism in gaming - don't create the visual only with a single purpose to titillate exclusively, create a person. Creating only to be the crush, etc. is disrespectful and really childish to me. I'm tired of groaning every time a character falls in love, or even when a game tries to give me options for romance and you can either be the sleaze or the knight - i'd rather not even be subject to this stupid binary choice and its' "sexy" outcomes if they're going to just exist for that one purpose (to titillate). And you know, it's not going to change until the ratio of male to female developers and gamers is realized.
Tomb Raider and The Last of Us both look to be fully aware of gender roles and seem to be aimed at creating fully fleshed out characters regardless of their sex. Already this Lara Croft has more dimension and depth than ever, and i think her design is largely a reaction to her own sexy but surface-appeal-only past.
@solidturtleman
1) I've played it. I've never stated otherwise. You and all the people on this site who makes assumptions when they try and straw man my arguments can quite frankly go fuck yourselves. I'm tired of your illogical, incompetent nonsense. Give it a rest.
2) Did I say you physically can't? Did I say "stop this or I'm gonna come over there and give you a spanking"? No, mister rebel without a cause who feels he needs to do something because he thinks the big bad man is telling him not do. I said I PERSONALLY am tired of hearing about it. Shallow gameplay, amateur social commentary, same old articles about the same old shit. Even the ME3 ending controversy got to a point where the story was beaten to death. There's nothing new to add to the conversation at this point.
Got it? Good. Now piss off.
1) I've played it. I've never stated otherwise. You and all the people on this site who makes assumptions when they try and straw man my arguments can quite frankly go fuck yourselves. I'm tired of your illogical, incompetent nonsense. Give it a rest.
2) Did I say you physically can't? Did I say "stop this or I'm gonna come over there and give you a spanking"? No, mister rebel without a cause who feels he needs to do something because he thinks the big bad man is telling him not do. I said I PERSONALLY am tired of hearing about it. Shallow gameplay, amateur social commentary, same old articles about the same old shit. Even the ME3 ending controversy got to a point where the story was beaten to death. There's nothing new to add to the conversation at this point.
Got it? Good. Now piss off.
@James Gunn: I really have to hand it to you James, great job with this interview and with your willingness to comment. I know that I, and many others really appreciate it.
It's about time we get to hear from some voices. The "sexuality isn't sexism" line is so true. It sounds simple, and it sounds like everyone should know it - but we could really dwell on just this one part for several articles.
It's almost like people need to actually write that on a sticky note - "sexuality isn't sexism" - and tape it to the top of their computer monitor for a week, because they just keep forgetting it. This applies to so many different situations that I think by the end of that week, they would have had 100 different situations to apply this little nugget of wisdom.
"First of all, let me say, I think the gamer community has a big problem with women, and that is that so few women are in the industry!"
I agree completely, and I also agree that it's not something that should be forced by law. BUT, it's interesting to note the recent shitstorm about Tomb Raider on gaming blogs. This Tomb Raider was the first one written by a woman. It's gritty, brutal, and looks like a really powerful game - but people went out of their way to claim that it's sexist, and trivializes rape and all sorts of nasty stuff. Then a few weeks later, everyone quietly found out it was written by a woman. What this tells me is that the problem is not only getting more women in the industry - but there is a real problem in how gamers view content, how the media reports on it, and how they intensify controversy without having a full grasp of what's going on. Many of these problems are created on the user side, in how they amplify paranoia about these issues. Even if the content comes (and it already has), many won't even recognize that it's what they asked for.
Also, as far as the gaming industry being short on females working there - I think we have to turn to history to have a fair, and accurate picture of what's going on. Anyone who was a gamer in the 70s and 80s knows that gaming was intertwined with social stigma and rejection. It was a bunch of nerds, before nerds was a compliment. Gamers were seen as "less than," they were "othered," and they were heavily looked down upon. Gaming was seen as what single male nerds do when they were rejected by girls and popular culture. From the beginning, stereotypically speaking of course, women rejected gaming. Men did not reject women in gaming. This is unique to games, and was not seen in books and film. This is why you have such a huge disparity - because these social stigmas are just now changing. To act like men have kept women from being interested in gaming is a complete revision of history. And while there are no true victims and victimizers in this case - it almost reverses the roles, turning nerds in the 80s into some make believe oppressive class and acting like they had the power to reject anyone, when they had anything but.
"I believe when characters become symbols of female empowerment it is, in many ways, a reaction to sexism that is sexist in itself -- you're still taking away a woman's humanity and replacing her with a symbol."
I also agree with this. And not just because of objectification, but in many ways, "female empowerment" movements marginalize women more than anyone else. Many feminists are anti-sexuality, anti-marriage, anti-having children, and really put a lot of pressure on women to act how they think women are allowed to act. What if a woman wants to dress in a really sexualized way though? Then clearly they have been brainwashed by the patriarchy into internalizing male gaze. It's basically saying that women aren't intelligent enough to make up their own mind, and that they have no ownership over their own sexual expression. The end result is a social culture that mirrors the Christian right in more ways than they care to admit.
It's about time we get to hear from some voices. The "sexuality isn't sexism" line is so true. It sounds simple, and it sounds like everyone should know it - but we could really dwell on just this one part for several articles.
It's almost like people need to actually write that on a sticky note - "sexuality isn't sexism" - and tape it to the top of their computer monitor for a week, because they just keep forgetting it. This applies to so many different situations that I think by the end of that week, they would have had 100 different situations to apply this little nugget of wisdom.
"First of all, let me say, I think the gamer community has a big problem with women, and that is that so few women are in the industry!"
I agree completely, and I also agree that it's not something that should be forced by law. BUT, it's interesting to note the recent shitstorm about Tomb Raider on gaming blogs. This Tomb Raider was the first one written by a woman. It's gritty, brutal, and looks like a really powerful game - but people went out of their way to claim that it's sexist, and trivializes rape and all sorts of nasty stuff. Then a few weeks later, everyone quietly found out it was written by a woman. What this tells me is that the problem is not only getting more women in the industry - but there is a real problem in how gamers view content, how the media reports on it, and how they intensify controversy without having a full grasp of what's going on. Many of these problems are created on the user side, in how they amplify paranoia about these issues. Even if the content comes (and it already has), many won't even recognize that it's what they asked for.
Also, as far as the gaming industry being short on females working there - I think we have to turn to history to have a fair, and accurate picture of what's going on. Anyone who was a gamer in the 70s and 80s knows that gaming was intertwined with social stigma and rejection. It was a bunch of nerds, before nerds was a compliment. Gamers were seen as "less than," they were "othered," and they were heavily looked down upon. Gaming was seen as what single male nerds do when they were rejected by girls and popular culture. From the beginning, stereotypically speaking of course, women rejected gaming. Men did not reject women in gaming. This is unique to games, and was not seen in books and film. This is why you have such a huge disparity - because these social stigmas are just now changing. To act like men have kept women from being interested in gaming is a complete revision of history. And while there are no true victims and victimizers in this case - it almost reverses the roles, turning nerds in the 80s into some make believe oppressive class and acting like they had the power to reject anyone, when they had anything but.
"I believe when characters become symbols of female empowerment it is, in many ways, a reaction to sexism that is sexist in itself -- you're still taking away a woman's humanity and replacing her with a symbol."
I also agree with this. And not just because of objectification, but in many ways, "female empowerment" movements marginalize women more than anyone else. Many feminists are anti-sexuality, anti-marriage, anti-having children, and really put a lot of pressure on women to act how they think women are allowed to act. What if a woman wants to dress in a really sexualized way though? Then clearly they have been brainwashed by the patriarchy into internalizing male gaze. It's basically saying that women aren't intelligent enough to make up their own mind, and that they have no ownership over their own sexual expression. The end result is a social culture that mirrors the Christian right in more ways than they care to admit.
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