surf dtoid with 
Rising (10+)
People you follow
@ Berkowitz1337
Since the GLBT community is considered a minority, and one of the most repressed minorities in the world, it is important to have strong GLBT role models in the media which includes videogames.
Obviously for heterosexuals, you're right, it isn't very important, but that's because like 99% of what you see on tv, videogames, movies, etc are heterosexuals, so you have no shortage of these role models.
Since the GLBT community is considered a minority, and one of the most repressed minorities in the world, it is important to have strong GLBT role models in the media which includes videogames.
Obviously for heterosexuals, you're right, it isn't very important, but that's because like 99% of what you see on tv, videogames, movies, etc are heterosexuals, so you have no shortage of these role models.
If Master Chief turned out to be gay, so many people would be so pissed off about it, it would be kind of funny.
But I definitely agree with the rant.
But I definitely agree with the rant.
I liked Captain Jack much more in Doctor Who than in Torchwood. But that's probably because Doctor Who is much better than Torchwood.
Just wanna say I don't think gay characters have to be played completely against stereotype to work for straight audiences.
I mean, I'm all about the asskickers who happen to like dudes on the side (like Midnighter from The Authority) but a lot of gay dudes, myself included, aren't (and don't want to be) Karatesports McRedmeat types- the otherness that comes with an alternate sexual orientation tends to foster increased self-awareness, and a lack of interest in the grunting masculinity rat race.
Take Joshua from The World Ends With You- he's prim, impeccably dressed, and avoids physical exertion even so far as jumping in battle. But gameplay-wise he's one of the toughest sons of bitches in there, and, so far as the plot's concerned, he's a arguably the most important character in the game. He's not explicitly stated to be gay, but it's hinted at to the point that it borders on absurdity, and imo he's one of the best representations of queer chic in gaming. Then again, I have no idea how straight people feel about him, so yeah.
I mean, I'm all about the asskickers who happen to like dudes on the side (like Midnighter from The Authority) but a lot of gay dudes, myself included, aren't (and don't want to be) Karatesports McRedmeat types- the otherness that comes with an alternate sexual orientation tends to foster increased self-awareness, and a lack of interest in the grunting masculinity rat race.
Take Joshua from The World Ends With You- he's prim, impeccably dressed, and avoids physical exertion even so far as jumping in battle. But gameplay-wise he's one of the toughest sons of bitches in there, and, so far as the plot's concerned, he's a arguably the most important character in the game. He's not explicitly stated to be gay, but it's hinted at to the point that it borders on absurdity, and imo he's one of the best representations of queer chic in gaming. Then again, I have no idea how straight people feel about him, so yeah.
Maybe I am alone on this one but being a gay male who LOVES playing video games, it really isn't that big of a deal to see or play as a gay character. If there are nods to it, I embrace developers for taking on the subject. If the charcter is gay that we get to play as that's cool too, as long as he isn't portrayed as the stereotype gay. Rockstar has been doing this for quite some time now and I applaud them for it. I think they as developers really understand the gay community and REALLY understand that real overly macho men/boys are overcompensating their personality for what they truely are. That is one of the reasons I appreciate the GTA series. The only reason I see most developers not tackling this issue is because they have share holders to answer too and "GAY" doesn't sit too well with dollars. Meaning the millions of dollars they have invested into a game probably won't sell as well and then said shareholders would be pissed. And is it true you use the term "INDIE FAG"?
Just say granola eatin hippie!
Just say granola eatin hippie!
DJDuffy:
Just a coincidence, far as I can tell. I've had a hard-on for Harkness for years.
Matte G:
Maybe I'll do a rant on the importance of contextualizing things next week. Do you think Mark Twain is racist, too?
Just a coincidence, far as I can tell. I've had a hard-on for Harkness for years.
Matte G:
Maybe I'll do a rant on the importance of contextualizing things next week. Do you think Mark Twain is racist, too?
@DJDuffy
I see what you (and Anthony) are saying. Still, sexual orientation and judgement thereof is a deeply rooted problem with society and shouldn't always have to be thrown out there. I'm pro-GBLT btw (I myself am not GBLT) and I suppose I'm getting ahead of myself with acceptance of those lifestyles. It won't be anytime soon that any lifestyle (sexual, religious etc.) are universally accepted.
I'll shut up now.
I see what you (and Anthony) are saying. Still, sexual orientation and judgement thereof is a deeply rooted problem with society and shouldn't always have to be thrown out there. I'm pro-GBLT btw (I myself am not GBLT) and I suppose I'm getting ahead of myself with acceptance of those lifestyles. It won't be anytime soon that any lifestyle (sexual, religious etc.) are universally accepted.
I'll shut up now.
It is hard to make the main character be gay in mainstream because you cannot be aware of the player's gender, sex, or sexual orientation but you can be aware that many mainstream games are sold to males who generally prefer testosterone romps where men save princesses while firing a gun.
The trick isn't to make a character be defined as gay. The trick, in my opinion, is to make a character and simply define their sexuality later. In Torchwood Jack isn't immediately gay (from my recollection, I don't have the DVDs or time to rewatch it). Both the audience and main protagonist (Gwen) assume he is heterosexual until that assumption is corrected. Being straight is just the de facto (and easiest) way to make a character. From a nitpicking standpoint any character whose sexuality is not explicitly said in the game could theoretically be gay. I don't believe the idea is to say, "Hey here is a gay character!" and I don't think you do either. However I believe the question (and answer) of sexuality shouldn't be forced on a player. There are lots of straight people who act "gay" and lots of gay people who act "straight". Sexuality has so many subcultures that implying there are only two, gay and straight, seems wrong to me.
The trick isn't to make a character be defined as gay. The trick, in my opinion, is to make a character and simply define their sexuality later. In Torchwood Jack isn't immediately gay (from my recollection, I don't have the DVDs or time to rewatch it). Both the audience and main protagonist (Gwen) assume he is heterosexual until that assumption is corrected. Being straight is just the de facto (and easiest) way to make a character. From a nitpicking standpoint any character whose sexuality is not explicitly said in the game could theoretically be gay. I don't believe the idea is to say, "Hey here is a gay character!" and I don't think you do either. However I believe the question (and answer) of sexuality shouldn't be forced on a player. There are lots of straight people who act "gay" and lots of gay people who act "straight". Sexuality has so many subcultures that implying there are only two, gay and straight, seems wrong to me.
i'd just prefer it if we could keep sexuality out of games. it still seems really pervy to find sexual stimulation from computer graphics. i'm looking directly at jim sterling for this one. as for there not being enough good gay heroes in games, the same could be said of minorities. i'd just prefer this not to be a consideration. if the game makers want to include characters of differing race, creed, or sexuality, that's fine, as long as there's a reason or decent message behind it. otherwise, who cares?
@ Berkowitz1337
thanks, yea it will be a while. Also, please don't refer to GLBT as a "lifestyle"....that's just bad.
thanks, yea it will be a while. Also, please don't refer to GLBT as a "lifestyle"....that's just bad.
Conclusion: We need a Doctor Who game, and Captain Jack is freakin' awesome. But yeah, nice rant, Anthony.
I like Kanji. I'm pretty sure he's bisexual, but it is all sort of implied because it is not a full-on eroge RPG.
Let me start off by saying that I have nothing AGAINST gay people. In fact, I have a few friends/family that happen to be gay. But I just cant agree with it. I would prefer the characters I play to be heterosexual simply because I myself am straight. It just makes it easier for me to relate with the character I play. Also, something about the fact my character spends his down time shoving his dick in another guys ass just doesn't stomach well with me. In short, I respect the fact that there are gay characters but I just dont wanna think about what they do. LOL. Call me closed minded or call me whatever name you wish, but this is just my opinion so you don't have to agree with it.
Nice rant... also, I'd like to sign the Master Chief turns out to be gay petition. I'm not that big a fan of Halo, but I can't think of anywhere in the "plot" that confirms his sexuality - so why do we have to assume he's not gay?
Well I got here a bit late, but let me just say that I would be gay for John Barrowman. Surely I am not the only one.
Captain Jack is awesome. Another example of a gay character people could root for was the detective in Boondock Saints, Willem Dafoe. But in both cases it was sort of a unique, if not different, take on a gay character. Captain Jack was sort of the "dance with anything that moves" be it a dog, alien, whatever; and Dafoe was playing a gay character who spoke like a homophobe, which was pretty funny.
Not a big fan of sex in media in general, whatever it is, so what bothers me is when it is shown. So far as media is concerned, you can call someone a prostitute but I'd prefer not to see them do their job. Sex just ruins games and movies for me. That said, as a story element, a gay character can be justified, just don't ruin my brain with the acts of sex, gay or straight. whatever happened to fading to black? I get that this comment is sorta speak'n to the void around here, I mean, "also cocks" is like the war-cry on this site.
Not a big fan of sex in media in general, whatever it is, so what bothers me is when it is shown. So far as media is concerned, you can call someone a prostitute but I'd prefer not to see them do their job. Sex just ruins games and movies for me. That said, as a story element, a gay character can be justified, just don't ruin my brain with the acts of sex, gay or straight. whatever happened to fading to black? I get that this comment is sorta speak'n to the void around here, I mean, "also cocks" is like the war-cry on this site.
that was really thoughtful. It made me kind of want to watch this guy actually. If he's everything you say he is, then that's pretty fucking awesome.
Funny, I was watching the beginning of the video and decided to bring up the Magypsies from Mother 3 in the comments, but you were one step ahead of me. But they aren't just side-characters; for an entire (long) chapter of the game, they serve as integral characters--guardians of the ancient evil/good force. And besides, I think they're mainly what they are for comic-relief.
Anyway, I'd be fine with playing as a gay dude as long as he didn't fit into the stereotype of "Ooh, I broke a nail" like the aforementioned Magypsies.
Anyway, I'd be fine with playing as a gay dude as long as he didn't fit into the stereotype of "Ooh, I broke a nail" like the aforementioned Magypsies.
Anthony is right, homophobes in the gaming industry are total Homos, homophobes in general are total fags, oh wait... Crap!
Awesome rant.
Within a matter of decades, people will think our depiction of gays is tantamount to Jolson-style blackface nowadays. At least I hope.
Within a matter of decades, people will think our depiction of gays is tantamount to Jolson-style blackface nowadays. At least I hope.
I agree with bobyoko, voidshadow and the rest who would rather leave the sexuality out of the games. The real problem with this Rev Rant, is that it assumes that we should all be down with supporting the homosexual cultural agenda. If the nocturnal activites of the character are irrelvant to the plot of the game, then making a point about the character's sexuality serves only to promote some cultural agenda. If the nocturnal activities ARE relevant to the plot of the game, the game itself exists to promote some cultural agenda. After all, why should anyone want to be concerned about having positively-portrayed gay characters in video games? It can only be because one thinks that this is some sort if important political issue and feels the need to foist one's political ideology onto everyone else. Now perhaps the game designer wants to do that, or perhaps the designer wants to "explore the topic" or "ask hard questions about these issues," but then one doesn't get to complain if the designer's particular point of view (and I am refering to Persona 4 here) doesn't sync with how one thinks the gay agenda should be promoted--it is, after all the designer's game.
For my money, Jade Empire had the best treatment of this issue if the assumption is that being gay or straight is just some part of one's character, and not THE defining charater trait. In that game, there was the optional dating side quest. If you played a male character, you could fornicate with either or both female party members or with a male party member; if you played a female character, you could fornicate with the male party member or one of the female party members; or you could skip it altogether.
For my money, Jade Empire had the best treatment of this issue if the assumption is that being gay or straight is just some part of one's character, and not THE defining charater trait. In that game, there was the optional dating side quest. If you played a male character, you could fornicate with either or both female party members or with a male party member; if you played a female character, you could fornicate with the male party member or one of the female party members; or you could skip it altogether.
@LoopholeJumper
You make a valid point - the "stereotypes" of flamboyant homosexuals - at least the ones that aren't intentionally offensive - often are very true. Flamboyant homosexuals do exist, just like the invented, fictional ones people like to laugh at. And I agree that, someday, their presence in media should be as valid as anything.
Unfortunately, I feel that their inclusion in today's world would do more harm than good. A flamboyant gay in a video game - as valid and realistic as it may be - would be misconstrued as comic relief, and the effort to make homosexuality more acceptable would not make any ground.
You make a valid point - the "stereotypes" of flamboyant homosexuals - at least the ones that aren't intentionally offensive - often are very true. Flamboyant homosexuals do exist, just like the invented, fictional ones people like to laugh at. And I agree that, someday, their presence in media should be as valid as anything.
Unfortunately, I feel that their inclusion in today's world would do more harm than good. A flamboyant gay in a video game - as valid and realistic as it may be - would be misconstrued as comic relief, and the effort to make homosexuality more acceptable would not make any ground.
Every time you bring up Dr. Who on a Padcast, I want to watch it. I just feel like I have too much catching up.
I support the production of more gay game content as a remedy to all the "fag" callers on Xbox Live et al. If you can surround them with it, you can challenge their ideals more effectively. I don't think any mainstream game has really tackled a gay sympathetic plot yet apart from GTAIV (which as you say was pretty minor).
It isn't in a game, per se (thought games crop up a lot in it), but Scott Pilgrim has one of my favorite gay characters ever: Wallace Wells.
Let's be clear: this guy is EXTREMELY gay. I mean, he's not marching the streets in chaps or anything, he doesn't lisp, but he falls in the "sassy gay advisor" trope. And it is played as a joke fairly frequently throughout the series (hell, Scott introduces him as "my cool gay roommate" sometimes). But he's not portrayed as abnormal, none of the characters are weirded out by him, and the group of gay characters in the series blend pretty seamlessly with the rest of the cast. Most importantly, Wallace's personality is instantly charming, funny, and immensely likable. His sexuality is simply a facet of his character, no more or less important to him than it is for Scott or the rest of the cast.
I'm straighter than John Wayne voting for Ronald Reagan on a horse, and I was in love with Wallace Wells before the end of the first volume.
Let's be clear: this guy is EXTREMELY gay. I mean, he's not marching the streets in chaps or anything, he doesn't lisp, but he falls in the "sassy gay advisor" trope. And it is played as a joke fairly frequently throughout the series (hell, Scott introduces him as "my cool gay roommate" sometimes). But he's not portrayed as abnormal, none of the characters are weirded out by him, and the group of gay characters in the series blend pretty seamlessly with the rest of the cast. Most importantly, Wallace's personality is instantly charming, funny, and immensely likable. His sexuality is simply a facet of his character, no more or less important to him than it is for Scott or the rest of the cast.
I'm straighter than John Wayne voting for Ronald Reagan on a horse, and I was in love with Wallace Wells before the end of the first volume.
Thank you. I appreciate this piece. I too felt weird about Kanji and Naoto in Persona 4. At first it was played like he was gay or bisexual. I mean they based a whole level around his own gay panic and then they just got too pc about it in the end by not really addressing it. Also I felt they had a great opportunity with Naoto. She didn't necessarily need to be a trans character but they had this opportunity to really question gender roles and then it kind of petered out too. I still love the game and love those two characters, it just started off going one way and then really veered off course and was slightly disappointing.
this is dumb, if you are going to complain about gay always being a stereotype but not having any COOL gay guys to plays as in games is retarded. Most gay people dont act different besides who they fuck, so there could be TONS of gays/bi characters you've played as in games who you had no IDEA were gay because it's nobodys buisness who they fuck. And most of all NOBODYS IS FUCKING ANYONE in video games. So if you think slipping into "Drakes" mid games a little "by the way, I wanna fuck lots of men. It makes no sense. That would be like me taking you to the Olive Gardin for a tradition Italian meal. What's next you want a they next METROID game to come out and say Sammus is a girl without showing she has brests and a vagian it doesnt have impact or a point to define gender or sexuality.
Yeah pretty much. I'd like it to just be seen as a non-issue on characters. Something that's there, but doesn't define them. Because that's how it is for most actual people (or should be anyways...).
Oh right, and Metal Gear was full of badass gays (Volgin and Vamp).
Oh right, and Metal Gear was full of badass gays (Volgin and Vamp).
that Dr. Who character you mentioned immediately sounded suspiciously like John Constantine of the Hellblazer comics series, even in terms of sexuality, except that john is actually bisexual. Anyway,Bernie was one of my favorite characters in GTA4, the idea that this dude was a soldier and came to america in order to find a haven for his sexual identity, only for it to be turned on him through circumstance, was pretty heartbreaking, and i really ended up feeling for the character.
LoopholeJumper:
"So, in reality, the argument you try to make is actually the more offensive one, because you discount stereotypes that are very real and represent real people, and you seem to put more value on those that act more heterosexual."
Defining a group as having members who are "more heterosexual" is equally, if not more offensive -- the only way gay people can be defined or categorized, in your mind, is by exactly how flamboyant they are? And that flamboyancy is a uniquely gay trait? That is some closed-minded stuff.
John Barrowman, the actor who plays Jack Harkness, was turned down for the role of Will in "Will and Grace" because he, according to the producers, "wasn't 'gay' enough." John Barrowman is actually gay, and the guy they eventually hired to play will, Eric McCormack, is not. Barrowman considered, as I do, that the idea of assuming gay people ONLY act in a specific way is ridiculous.
Yes, all stereotypes obviously have a basis in reality. If you think that entitles artists to portray particular groups of people almost EXCLUSIVELY using those stereotypes, then you must also be perfectly fine with a hypothetical world in which every single Asian character acts exactly as Mickey Rooney does in Breakfast at Tiffany's, and all blacks were portrayed as extras from Birth of a Nation.
My argument isn't that those stereotypes don't have some link, however tenuous, to reality, but that the depiction of gays in games almost exclusively exists along those stereotypical lines (or are tiptoed around, or are made secondary to the hero's story, or whatever). If, nine times out of ten times you saw a white guy in games or movies he was portrayed as either a total redneck or a country-club-going asshole who bosses around his maid, it'd probably irritate you, too.
It has absolutely nothing to do with political correctness and everything to do with desiring that an entire group of people be acknowledged as actual human beings and not portrayed as the ONE stereotype that society has arbitrarily decided is most indicative of gay people.
"So, in reality, the argument you try to make is actually the more offensive one, because you discount stereotypes that are very real and represent real people, and you seem to put more value on those that act more heterosexual."
Defining a group as having members who are "more heterosexual" is equally, if not more offensive -- the only way gay people can be defined or categorized, in your mind, is by exactly how flamboyant they are? And that flamboyancy is a uniquely gay trait? That is some closed-minded stuff.
John Barrowman, the actor who plays Jack Harkness, was turned down for the role of Will in "Will and Grace" because he, according to the producers, "wasn't 'gay' enough." John Barrowman is actually gay, and the guy they eventually hired to play will, Eric McCormack, is not. Barrowman considered, as I do, that the idea of assuming gay people ONLY act in a specific way is ridiculous.
Yes, all stereotypes obviously have a basis in reality. If you think that entitles artists to portray particular groups of people almost EXCLUSIVELY using those stereotypes, then you must also be perfectly fine with a hypothetical world in which every single Asian character acts exactly as Mickey Rooney does in Breakfast at Tiffany's, and all blacks were portrayed as extras from Birth of a Nation.
My argument isn't that those stereotypes don't have some link, however tenuous, to reality, but that the depiction of gays in games almost exclusively exists along those stereotypical lines (or are tiptoed around, or are made secondary to the hero's story, or whatever). If, nine times out of ten times you saw a white guy in games or movies he was portrayed as either a total redneck or a country-club-going asshole who bosses around his maid, it'd probably irritate you, too.
It has absolutely nothing to do with political correctness and everything to do with desiring that an entire group of people be acknowledged as actual human beings and not portrayed as the ONE stereotype that society has arbitrarily decided is most indicative of gay people.
Now I know homosexuality has not reached beyond bigotry, and I fully support anyone being gay or straight and living as they want just as long as they aren't hurting anyone.
Like the character on that show... you're gay? Cool. I don't care. I don't look at you any different than if you weren't.
And if there are cases of discrimination based on sexuality, despite my being straight, I would do anything in my power to fight that.
But even supporting it becoming a tolerated way of life...this is just one man's view, but sometimes it seems like, other than the bigger issues of gay marriage which do require aggressiveness if that's to ever pass, don't gay people help themselves more by simply living their life?
What I mean is be as casual about being gay as the next straight guy. If sex doesn't come up, no need to bring it up. I don't go around announcing if last night was a sex night with my wife or not.
If some group of guys are talking about the women they like, just throw out you wouldn't know who's hot, because you're gay.
I mean, have no shame of it. Be open with it in a "Hey, want to see some pictures of the vacation me and my boyfriend took?" kind of way, just saying going around and standing on a soapbox and getting overly pushy and confrontational about your sexual choice everywhere you go, that just leads to making the less educated feel like you're bullying them and causing them to initiate a fight reflex.
Again, I'm not talking about the gay marriage issue or actual hate crimes happening. I'm talking in day to day life. Because shoving it in people's faces all the time, it can give the impression that it IS a freak thing, but you demand they allow it.
Demanding and understanding...not the same thing. It's all about how you present your case.
That said, how do you know many more games didn't have gay characters? Because more often than not most my games....their sexuality wasn't defined. They were only straight because the player assumes it by their behavior.
And in western games when characters are straight, most are also white. Know why? Because the developers of those games are nearly always white straight guys.
Why would they make the character gay if they're not in real life? It's a no win situation, because the character's every movement and saying would be scrutinized, looking for a reason how these straight guy developers are mocking gays, even if it's not true. People will see what they want to see.
The online community surely needs some serious lessons learned in respect to gay life...and everything else....but games themselves, is it really needed?
Is pushing the message of gay or straight that important in the game medium?
Seems better fit for movies or books. But hey, someone does fit it in a plot in a game, more power to them. I'm not against it. I'm just wondering if it would help or hurt the cause of it being seen as gay people are just people like everyone else.
Remember how dumb and deeply ingrained their form of morals are for the average person, since that's the person you're trying to reach. Otherwise it'd be preaching to the choir.
I mean, I haven't seen a Million Man March in a videogame, either.
As far as Japanese games...they are a different culture. I've been in Japan for a few years a decade ago. And yes, the blatant racism of black people and the caricatures of homosexuals is very over the top and accepted in the most mainstream of society there.
But pick your battles. Try getting equal rights in America first, get one geographical section done first, then move on to the next. Because Japan will be a much harder sell on respect to homosexuals as compared to ecen the worst spots of Bible Belt in America.
Best you can do there for now, game wise, would be not to buy future games by developers who made those games that were insulting.
I'm behind the fight, only questioning the location.
Like the character on that show... you're gay? Cool. I don't care. I don't look at you any different than if you weren't.
And if there are cases of discrimination based on sexuality, despite my being straight, I would do anything in my power to fight that.
But even supporting it becoming a tolerated way of life...this is just one man's view, but sometimes it seems like, other than the bigger issues of gay marriage which do require aggressiveness if that's to ever pass, don't gay people help themselves more by simply living their life?
What I mean is be as casual about being gay as the next straight guy. If sex doesn't come up, no need to bring it up. I don't go around announcing if last night was a sex night with my wife or not.
If some group of guys are talking about the women they like, just throw out you wouldn't know who's hot, because you're gay.
I mean, have no shame of it. Be open with it in a "Hey, want to see some pictures of the vacation me and my boyfriend took?" kind of way, just saying going around and standing on a soapbox and getting overly pushy and confrontational about your sexual choice everywhere you go, that just leads to making the less educated feel like you're bullying them and causing them to initiate a fight reflex.
Again, I'm not talking about the gay marriage issue or actual hate crimes happening. I'm talking in day to day life. Because shoving it in people's faces all the time, it can give the impression that it IS a freak thing, but you demand they allow it.
Demanding and understanding...not the same thing. It's all about how you present your case.
That said, how do you know many more games didn't have gay characters? Because more often than not most my games....their sexuality wasn't defined. They were only straight because the player assumes it by their behavior.
And in western games when characters are straight, most are also white. Know why? Because the developers of those games are nearly always white straight guys.
Why would they make the character gay if they're not in real life? It's a no win situation, because the character's every movement and saying would be scrutinized, looking for a reason how these straight guy developers are mocking gays, even if it's not true. People will see what they want to see.
The online community surely needs some serious lessons learned in respect to gay life...and everything else....but games themselves, is it really needed?
Is pushing the message of gay or straight that important in the game medium?
Seems better fit for movies or books. But hey, someone does fit it in a plot in a game, more power to them. I'm not against it. I'm just wondering if it would help or hurt the cause of it being seen as gay people are just people like everyone else.
Remember how dumb and deeply ingrained their form of morals are for the average person, since that's the person you're trying to reach. Otherwise it'd be preaching to the choir.
I mean, I haven't seen a Million Man March in a videogame, either.
As far as Japanese games...they are a different culture. I've been in Japan for a few years a decade ago. And yes, the blatant racism of black people and the caricatures of homosexuals is very over the top and accepted in the most mainstream of society there.
But pick your battles. Try getting equal rights in America first, get one geographical section done first, then move on to the next. Because Japan will be a much harder sell on respect to homosexuals as compared to ecen the worst spots of Bible Belt in America.
Best you can do there for now, game wise, would be not to buy future games by developers who made those games that were insulting.
I'm behind the fight, only questioning the location.
A quick P.S. of something I just thought of. Just like how I don't return to threads to read them, I have a bad habit of my post being simply reading the article (or in this case watching the video) and answering. But I don't read the thread.
So if I happened to say something anyone else already said, sorry about that. I guess great minds think alike, I just hadn't looked.
So if I happened to say something anyone else already said, sorry about that. I guess great minds think alike, I just hadn't looked.
i would enjoy seeing more diversity period. its not that i want to see diversity for diversity's sake, but because i would like to see video game developers say something about different ethnic, sexual, and economic backgrounds, and visit the subject in a meaningful way.
Oh Anthony, you forgot about Ocelot...no wait, the entire male cast of metal gear solid. How could anyone forget Snake and Otacon's epicly homosexual handshake?
i am hideously offended that you would cite the magypsies as negative gay stereotypes.
I don't even know why. I'm just shocked or something.
I don't even know why. I'm just shocked or something.
TheTruth:
"I mean, I haven't seen a Million Man March in a videogame, either."
Right, but you HAVE seen interesting (or at least not horrendously stereotyped) black characters in videogames. No such gay characters exist in the same medium. It's also a sort of universally-accepted fact of cultural studies that depictions of minority in groups in popular media affect, in at least some small way, the perceptions society comes to have toward those groups.
I completely understand where you're coming from with the "just be cool about it" sort of thing, but it gets a bit more complex than that when you start talking about portrayal in the media.
"I mean, I haven't seen a Million Man March in a videogame, either."
Right, but you HAVE seen interesting (or at least not horrendously stereotyped) black characters in videogames. No such gay characters exist in the same medium. It's also a sort of universally-accepted fact of cultural studies that depictions of minority in groups in popular media affect, in at least some small way, the perceptions society comes to have toward those groups.
I completely understand where you're coming from with the "just be cool about it" sort of thing, but it gets a bit more complex than that when you start talking about portrayal in the media.
Great rant, I too would like to see more gay characters in games that aren't the typical steriotypes (I have a few gay friends myself) but then their are many things I would like to see in games either done better or done at all. Like everything else better representations of homosexuality are simply something we'll have to wait for as games improve and evolve over the coming years. Maybe when developers get over the whole 'everything needs to be violent and full of killing to sell well' we'll see some results :P
The man, the myth, the legend.
Attended a comic con panel for Torchwood. One of the nicest guys in the world.
Attended a comic con panel for Torchwood. One of the nicest guys in the world.
follow
