(Originally posted at http://snerts.blogspot.com/2009/11/im-too-sexy-for-my-game.html)
Last November Kotaku posted the article Their Bodies Our Games.
The subject of the piece is Massively’s Seraphina Brennan opinion on gender
physique in video games. She mentions how the most common complaint denotes the
representation of women but not men. She questions why there are not more
complaints about the shallow muscle bound heroes who apparently insult men
everywhere. Apparently there are not enough Mario’s in the video game world.
“While our interactive media may have started with a slightly overweight
plumber as the titular hero, we've certainly turned to making sure all of our
character models feature strong, burly, and oversexed men who's muscles can
give a woman's breasts a run for their money. I mean, look at World of
Warcraft, for example — a game that we normally don't consider sexually
charged. How realistic is their depiction of men compared to the average guy?”
So I guess most guys don’t have buns of steel and more abdominal definition
then Superman. Is this something to be upset about? Should men start lobbying
developers to include more variety? Maybe, but I have my doubts. The
stereotypical hero has been around since dawn of written history. Giligamesh is
not depicted as a skinny boy or fat guy. That is not to say protagonists aren’t
as thin as Jesus, or lack the jolly gut of Santa Clause. It simply indicates
that the popular depiction of men as muscle bound handsome heroes has withstood
the powerful test of time. Do not expect such a force to lose its appeal with
the creation of new entertainment medians.
To be clear, I am not stating that all males should fit a stereotypical
physique in video games. Variety is the spice of life, and there have been a
handful of very successful characters that break the mold. The easiest examples
are fighting games like Street Fighter—E. Honda and Dalsiem. The same can not
be said for women. I am hard press to come up with any video game women who are
not sexy in some way. Even female monsters have a strange appeal. If anyone
knows a game with a less sexualized women, besides Fat Princess, then please
let me know.
Sex, however, is not the only trait female protagonist represents. According to
Brennan, “While VG women certainly may have overblown proportions and tight clothing;
many of them aren’t exactly weak or stupid.” This I agree with completely and I
would like to dub this idea the Wonder Women Scenario. Women in video games
have taken up a cornucopia of roles that depict power. In Dragon Age: Origins,
for example, they are depicted as high priests, queens who rule without kings,
powerful mages, and skilled combatants. That doesn’t mean the disgust some
women feel is nullified. All the women in Dragon Age have an hourglass figure—even
the dwarves—and all female demons are topless with nipple jewelry. Until video
games start producing a broader representation of the female form there will
continue to be valid criticisms from various concerned parties.
The big question going forward is will games illustrating non-traditional
gender physique sell? Unfortunately I don’t think many studios will give the
idea a decent college try. The industry is notorious for sticking to what makes
money. So do not expect a dramatic shift any time soon. A more likely scenario
is gradual change as even more women start playing and developing video games.
I imagine things will move slowly for the representation of men. I can’t think
of any “masculinists” out there willing to fight the good fight. Regardless it
will be interesting to observe the continual evolution of fictional
entertainment in western society.