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Feminists? In my games? It's more likely than you think.

Hijinx

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"My point is that when you’re making commentary about video game or any subject, the objective is to look at that subject as a whole. If one really wants to go down that route rather than make a simple review, then the article needs to be well written with a clear viewpoint or purpose that adequately presents both sides of the case. A little bias is fine so long as you aren’t trying to push your agenda on the viewer; they need to be allowed to come up with their own conclusions. Just like with any product, the goal when reviewing video games is to discuss the quality of the game."

An excerpt from an article about how feminists are "reviewing" games, and totally butcher the purpose of a review. This isn't unique to video games either, they inject gender issues into many subjects where there aren't any present. They defeat their own cause then wonder why many people have trouble taking them seriously. My fear is that someday people will take their "reviews" seriously and impact the success of the game.

For the full article see: Feminism and Videogames
 
I've seen a lot more feminist takes on video games in the last couple years than ever before and, I have to say, I never really thought about the role of women in video games before I saw those articles. But as I've read more, I think they have valid points that I never thought about before. Despite the fact that women are 45% of gamers, female main characters are extremely lacking. Even further, women are often portrayed solely in sexist, stereotypical roles (prostitutes, weak, etc.). I think it's a good idea for the gaming industry to consider those facts problems and solve them. I also don't think that taking such concerns seriously would have a negative impact as you seem to since, again, women make up 45% of the gaming population. I would imagine they would like to see themselves more in the games the play. The only people I could see having an issue with it is misogynists.

General note: It's always funny to me when people get upset at marginalized groups for wanting to be included in things more and represented more fairly.
 
You're right, it is totally acceptable for women to want to see themselves in the games that they play and the industry. The issue is that they want to force the issue at times when it's unnecessary. There is an article by Patricia Hernandez referenced in the link that illustrates this point. Many games (now more than ever) feature women in dominant positions and even as the main character. The progress is already being made. Comments about the lack of female gamers in the upper echelons of the MLG player rankings doesn't add anything to the conversation, and is typical of the majority of comments that many female "reviewers" make.

If you want to see a group of females that actually add something to the discussion then Gaming Angels is a fantastic reference, unfortunately they are one of the few exceptions.
 
Fenimism, as practiced by many women and in some cases, men, is a joke. However, it's not a benign joke, but a really serious joke. Femnazis.

I'm not against women, I love women. Literally and otherwise. I'm just against pointless BS. And what is the most pointless attack of the femnazis? Video Games. I mean really, this is the epitome of first world problems, video game feminism.
 
Fenimism, as practiced by many women and in some cases, men, is a joke. However, it's not a benign joke, but a really serious joke. Femnazis.

I'm not against women, I love women. Literally and otherwise. I'm just against pointless BS. And what is the most pointless attack of the femnazis? Video Games. I mean really, this is the epitome of first world problems, video game feminism.

When you can't argue against a position, just insult those taking that position. Well done!
 
This blogger is absolutely clueless and a prime example why the industry caters toward his kind.
 
I've seen a lot more feminist takes on video games in the last couple years than ever before and, I have to say, I never really thought about the role of women in video games before I saw those articles. But as I've read more, I think they have valid points that I never thought about before. Despite the fact that women are 45% of gamers, female main characters are extremely lacking. Even further, women are often portrayed solely in sexist, stereotypical roles (prostitutes, weak, etc.). I think it's a good idea for the gaming industry to consider those facts problems and solve them. I also don't think that taking such concerns seriously would have a negative impact as you seem to since, again, women make up 45% of the gaming population. I would imagine they would like to see themselves more in the games the play. The only people I could see having an issue with it is misogynists.

General note: It's always funny to me when people get upset at marginalized groups for wanting to be included in things more and represented more fairly.

I would also start with big bouncing titties, god awful armor, and the only television station that concentrated on games had a show which was literally meant to be a masturbatory fantasy of the pixelated chicks.
 
When you can't argue against a position, just insult those taking that position. Well done!

I think I both argued the position and insulted those who adopted the wrong position in one fell swoop. The feminist movement, for the most part, is full of rampant fanatics and it tackles pointless subjects.
 
I think I both argued the position and insulted those who adopted the wrong position in one fell swoop. The feminist movement, for the most part, is full of rampant fanatics and it tackles pointless subjects.

Well, no you did not argue a position, you argued against "feminazis", which seems to be your word for a woman who thinks something different that you. Women who game have very real problems, to the point many hide that they are women. If you do not think women who game online are frequently treated like **** simply because they are women, you have not played online games.
 
Well, no you did not argue a position, you argued against "feminazis", which seems to be your word for a woman who thinks something different that you. Women who game have very real problems, to the point many hide that they are women. If you do not think women who game online are frequently treated like **** simply because they are women, you have not played online games.

yeah, ok. While I would point out that online is online. Unless you get stalked on or virtually attacked outside the gaming arena, you have nothing to complain about. That's my opinion.

i meet people I harbor a dislike in the online environmnent, especially the competitive scene like CS:GO or just CS (or other games). I manifest that dislike by uberpwning them into the ground. Then their insults become pathetic attempts at humor.
 
I'm not prepared to delve into a full on debate about the nature of feminism because past experience has proven that most people on DP have a rudimentary or distorted view of feminism that they believe is correct. It would be an uphill battle.

Instead, I'll just contribute to the conversation about feminism and video games. Anita Sarkeesian has done an excellent video series called Tropes vs Women in Video Games that is worth checking out. There are 3 parts. Anita herself suffered online attacks, as well as rape and death threats, for announcing that she'd be starting the series. Nonetheless, she raised a lot of money and the series is now becoming reality. It's worth checking out.

There is an obvious disparity between men and women in the media in general. People who try to undermine feminism by saying it's no longer necessary are usually privileged people who are blind to the ongoing problems of the way women are being represented, and need to do more research into the topic. Fortunately, Anita is here to educate you.
 
You're right, it is totally acceptable for women to want to see themselves in the games that they play and the industry. The issue is that they want to force the issue at times when it's unnecessary. There is an article by Patricia Hernandez referenced in the link that illustrates this point. Many games (now more than ever) feature women in dominant positions and even as the main character. The progress is already being made. Comments about the lack of female gamers in the upper echelons of the MLG player rankings doesn't add anything to the conversation, and is typical of the majority of comments that many female "reviewers" make.

If you want to see a group of females that actually add something to the discussion then Gaming Angels is a fantastic reference, unfortunately they are one of the few exceptions.

Actually, it does, when you consider that a lot of female gamers disguise their gender because they know that if they were didn't, they would relentlessly harassed.

The joke about "no women in MMORPG's" is actually a rather sad one, because it's not that they aren't there. They just have no choice but to hide if they want to just enjoy the game.
 
I've seen a lot more feminist takes on video games in the last couple years than ever before and, I have to say, I never really thought about the role of women in video games before I saw those articles. But as I've read more, I think they have valid points that I never thought about before. Despite the fact that women are 45% of gamers, female main characters are extremely lacking. Even further, women are often portrayed solely in sexist, stereotypical roles (prostitutes, weak, etc.). I think it's a good idea for the gaming industry to consider those facts problems and solve them. I also don't think that taking such concerns seriously would have a negative impact as you seem to since, again, women make up 45% of the gaming population. I would imagine they would like to see themselves more in the games the play. The only people I could see having an issue with it is misogynists.

General note: It's always funny to me when people get upset at marginalized groups for wanting to be included in things more and represented more fairly.

I'm not a fan of hyper sexualised female characters who wear ridiculous clothing but if the stat is correct that 45% of gamers are women with many games as they are now, well it seems mighty patriarchal and condescending to adapt to a perception of what they should like rather than what they do like as stats suggest.
 
yeah, ok. While I would point out that online is online. Unless you get stalked on or virtually attacked outside the gaming arena, you have nothing to complain about. That's my opinion.

i meet people I harbor a dislike in the online environmnent, especially the competitive scene like CS:GO or just CS (or other games). I manifest that dislike by uberpwning them into the ground. Then their insults become pathetic attempts at humor.

Study: Female Gamers Receive Verbal Abuse From Male Gamers

Hostile reactions to the female player were frequent; the phrase “hi everybody” alone sparked reactions ranging from “shut up you whore” to “so whatever that voice was, are you a hooker or are you a dude?” When the female wasn’t receiving derogatory gendered language, it was asked out.
 
While I don't defend any of that stuff, the reality remains that most people in the gaming community are male and thus, the developers will continue to cater to what their meal ticket wants. If women were all that offended, they'd walk away from these games entirely and cost developers 45% of their income, but they don't. They keep playing and because they do, their concerns are not going to be given much attention because they're still stuffing the pockets of developers with cash.

The only way to solve the problem is to stop playing these games entirely. Nobody is willing to do that.
 
they inject gender issues into many subjects where there aren't any present.

Gender issues are always present. I understand if some people can't think about more than one thing at a time, but reality is what it is.

It disgusts me that many gamers employ the term "raped" to mean "won the game decidedly".

My fear is that someday people will take their "reviews" seriously and impact the success of the game.

You fear societal evolution?
 

Exactly what I said, as long as it's in the game environment and doesn't transcend the game, that's it. The feminist movement must have no other issues to deal with if this is what they've decided to focus their attention on. This isn't even an issue.

Omg, people are rude online. Big deal.

Guys verbally abuse other guys online. It's not something that happens to women only. Women aren't and shouldn't exempt from online abuse.
You should see the kind of things men say to other men including some really gay stuff and not in the good way.
 
Exactly what I said, as long as it's in the game environment and doesn't transcend the game, that's it. The feminist movement must have no other issues to deal with if this is what they've decided to focus their attention on. This isn't even an issue.

Omg, people are rude online. Big deal.

Guys verbally abuse other guys online. It's not something that happens to women only. Women aren't and shouldn't exempt from online abuse.
You should see the kind of things men say to other men including some really gay stuff and not in the good way.

If that were true, why do women pay as men?

Yes, it's true gamers can be rude to either sex, but it's obvious that female gamers find the rudeness they get as males preferable, otherwise they wouldn't do it, would they.

If it made no difference, why hide their gender?

These studies also show women get more harassment by far on a pure numbers scale, as well as more severe threats.
 
If that were true, why do women pay as men?

Yes, it's true gamers can be rude to either sex, but it's obvious that female gamers find the rudeness they get as males preferable, otherwise they wouldn't do it, would they.

If it made no difference, why hide their gender?

These studies also show women get more harassment by far on a pure numbers scale, as well as more severe threats.

As long as they don't manifest themselves outside the gaming arena, why do you care? They're just words spat out by random people whom you don't know.

What do you mean why do women pay as men? Nobody is above being abused in the online environment, especially in highly competitive games.

Here's a wild guess. If the number of men and women would be equal in a certain video game genre, this sort of abuse wouldn't happen because it would stop being interesting.
I didn't see any study or report or anything suggesting that women get verbally abused in the new online simcity. Why? I bet it has something to do with the fact that women make up a larger % of the players, as I said before.

Lets be clear, I am not defending or denying the fact that women get abused in certain video game genres. I am especially not on the side of the assholes. I am just saying that it's stupid to make a "thing" out of it, that feminism is overall a bad cultural trend that promotes idiocy and that people should stop demanding that the world they interract with be a filtered, sterilized environment.

But assholes are assholes and you see all manner of ill behavior from such people directed at everyone. Women just constitute a more "unique" prey for certain game genres where they are more uncommon among the player base.
 
Well, no you did not argue a position, you argued against "feminazis", which seems to be your word for a woman who thinks something different that you. Women who game have very real problems, to the point many hide that they are women. If you do not think women who game online are frequently treated like **** simply because they are women, you have not played online games.

Yeah, it's nothing more than a strawman argument. Make up evil feminists and use that to "prove" their point. Not logical, or factual, and horribly unimaginative.

And yeah, I don't game online much because of the abuse that is just a standard part of being a female while playing a game online. When I do I make sure to not make my gender known, just easier. And unless I'm playing with friends, no voice chat, it's just not worth it.

Just look at this website, it's freaking ridiculous.

Fat, Ugly or Slutty

And that's not even mentioning that female characters in games are rarely whole people. Just objects to be used, and promote the male hero's storyline. It's getting better, but slowly, and with annoying pushback.
 
As long as they don't manifest themselves outside the gaming arena, why do you care? They're just words spat out by random people whom you don't know.

What do you mean why do women pay as men? Nobody is above being abused in the online environment, especially in highly competitive games.

Here's a wild guess. If the number of men and women would be equal in a certain video game genre, this sort of abuse wouldn't happen because it would stop being interesting.
I didn't see any study or report or anything suggesting that women get verbally abused in the new online simcity. Why? I bet it has something to do with the fact that women make up a larger % of the players, as I said before.

Lets be clear, I am not defending or denying the fact that women get abused in certain video game genres. I am especially not on the side of the assholes. I am just saying that it's stupid to make a "thing" out of it, that feminism is overall a bad cultural trend that promotes idiocy and that people should stop demanding that the world they interract with be a filtered, sterilized environment.

But assholes are assholes and you see all manner of ill behavior from such people directed at everyone. Women just constitute a more "unique" prey for certain game genres where they are more uncommon among the player base.

Ah, apologetics: "I'm not defending them, but I'll defend them by saying you people who call them out about it should shut up."

How about men take some responsibility for their own actions?
 
Ah, apologetics: "I'm not defending them, but I'll defend them by saying you people who call them out about it should shut up."

How about men take some responsibility for their own actions?

That is not what I am saying. And no. Individuals take responsability if they so choose. Men, as in the male part of the human species, as a collective, has nothing to do with this and nothing to apologise

if you can't grasp the comment and what I am saying, don't start replying to me.
 
I'd also recommend watching this series on the sexist tropes used against women in games. It's got 3 parts on the Damsel in Distress alone, and when it's finished contain about 11 videos. Something around there. If any of you remember she was harassed relentlessly online for wanting to make these videos, and discuss this topic.

 
I'd also recommend watching this series on the sexist tropes used against women in games. It's got 3 parts on the Damsel in Distress alone, and when it's finished contain about 11 videos. Something around there. If any of you remember she was harassed relentlessly online for wanting to make these videos, and discuss this topic.



That's because she is a complete idiot and a hack. If you want her to be the spokesperson or the icon of this movement, you're gonna have a bad time.
Notice how she disabled all the comments and the ratings. That's because people can poke holes in her videos so big that an elephant can walk through no problem.
 
That's because she is a complete idiot and a hack. If you want her to be the spokesperson or the icon of this movement, you're gonna have a bad time.
Notice how she disabled all the comments and the ratings. That's because people can poke holes in her videos so big that an elephant can walk through no problem.

No, because she was being harassed and wanted the videos to be the focus, not the horrendous comments below.

And her arguments are quite sound, and based in reality, which makes people who want to pretend that there isn't a problem uncomfortable. Because it shoves the problem in their face in a way in which they can't ignore it, so they attack the messenger.

Are you really going to suggest that women are portrayed fairly, realistically, and as whole people in most games? Because that would be a ludicrous argument.
 
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