The subject I know about is Video games (specifically their history and how to play them - how they are created is obviously by magic), the other: Women.
It has been a recent, often hotly debated topic about women's roles in video games and I just wanted felt the need to expunge my thoughts on the matter. Firstly, a little perspective I feel is needed - I want to hold my hand up and say that even at my ripe old age I am still willing to admit I am learning. I have a reputation among friends and acquaintances for having a certain level of vocabulary and understanding of English which makes this confession all the more straining. It was literally only the other day I actually found out what the word 'Feminism' meant:
'The advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.'
It turns out that my entire upbringing and education had somehow replaced the true definition with that of Misandry:
'Dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against men (i.e. the male sex).'
A rather shocking and embarrassing misunderstanding on my part admittedly but one I am happy to share. The reason I add this is so that you are aware that this blog is written from a point of view of a man who didn't think much of the label 'feminist' prior to the previous months but now appreciates it is a term that actually encapsulates most of his beliefs.
Over the last year there have been a number of flashpoints that have seen this topic explode in the news, from Gamergate where allegations were made of a female game developer, Zoe Quinn having an affair with a Journalist from a prominent gaming website prompting better scores for her game. Leading on from that has been the extreme reaction to Anita Sarkeesian and her features on Tropes vs Women in video games where she discusses certain apparent stereotyping. This blog isn't on these individual cases but if you have the time and inclination, it is well worth checking them out. The level of pure hatred and animosity directed at these two women is nothing short of spectacular, in the worst conceivable way:
'You have 24 hours to cancel Sarkeesian’s talk … Anita Sarkeesian is everything wrong with the feminist woman, and she is going to die screaming like the craven little whore that she is if you let her come to USU. I will write my manifesto in her spilled blood, and you will all bear witness to what feminist lies and poison have done to the men of America.'
One
of many threats made in regards to Sarkeesians scheduled talks at Utah
State University.
I'm certain I could run out of internet writing about all that is wrong with that. The whole case is rather savage and also borders on the ridiculous with the talks being cancelled because Utah State University was not able to guarantee Sarkeesians safety since they are not allowed to search people for concealed guns if they have a permit in accordance to state laws. Just let me clarify; they get threats like this:
“I have at my disposal a semi-automatic rifle, multiple pistols, and a
collection of pipe bombs,” the letter said. “This will be the deadliest
school shooting in American history and I’m giving you a chance to stop
it.”
And they couldn't make any adjustments or offer any protection (in a place of learning) because of the law...
That's a whole other blog for another time...
I’d now like to flip things
a little and talk about my views which hopefully will lead to a little
more lightheartedness.
I am both slightly proud and embarrassed to classify myself as old-time gamer. That is to say I have actually played the original version of Pong, witnessed the spectacle of the Sinclair Spectrum firsthand (I had a +3 because Cassettes were for dinosaurs!), sat on the fence while Sega and Nintendo played the beat-your-neighbour-out of-doors and followed emergence of Sony and Microsoft and their rise to dominance as the gamers choice of consoles in more recent generations. So called exponents of the PC 'Master-Race' sit down - I find that chosen nick-name abhorrent. I've done my fair share of computer gaming and still can't look at a PC game without shuddering and breaking out in cold sweat. If you spent half your teenage years trying to configure your sound card you will understand.
Looking back at those many years of gaming I can honestly say that historically it hasn't referenced women in a particularly wonderful way. In the early days games just seemed to miss women out completely. I pride myself on my memory and can only think of one original game pre-Sega Megadrive that featured women in it (the rather contrived 'Mrs Pacman'). This isn't something I see as misogynistic - I think there were probably quantifiable reasons for it. Gaming was in it's infancy, relatively niche and seen very much as 'nerd culture.' It was a hobby boys did in there room, usually on their own and kept quiet about. Sound like anything else?
Seriously - this was a genuine Sega Advert! And not the worst one by a mile!
So it appears it was a barren wasteland for women in Videogames, with most appearances being relegated to the focus (Sarkeesian would possibly argue 'object') of quests. They were the primary reason for the protagonist to head off and beat up monsters, gangs, monstrous gangs and even gods. Not exactly engrained, intricate character development but technically still integral to the plot. Or, just an excuse to beat up those pesky monsters and gangs? Tomb Raider introduced us to our first, fully fleshed out female protagonist in the form/shape/polygons of Lara Croft. She was a capable, likeable character but in the early days what was the standout memory of her? The fact that the gaming world seemingly went crazy trying to input cheat codes to get her in the buff! So the gaming world did want a strong female protagonist to develop women's roles in games... as long as she was naked...
Tomb Raider: Lara vs Pythagoras.
There are however a couple of defence items I would like to level in regards to women in video games. The first being that the very early years I mention gaming was like us men - horrendously simple. Games were about driving fast, beating people up, jumping from platforms and shooting stuff. Pretty much because of the limitation of technology; I didn't play Chase HQ for character development or its twisting, weaving story. It was just some very basic wish fulfillment, aimed mainly at boys because... well come on girls, check out the screenshot below and tell me honestly if it gets the juices flowing?
Chase HQ. 3 Colours of awesome and STILL the reason I want a Porsche 928
A lot of criticism of the way women are portrayed in games has been approached from an incredibly shortsighted perspective. Often the sensationalist approach to these subjects has completely missed the true shortfall of the situation to focus on the extreme examples. It seems that people are aware of how en vogue it is to be a feminist and try and aim a few kicks into the video game sector where they can. A truly fantastic example of taking two contentious, thought provoking topics and throwing them together to make online noise is Colin Campbells opinion piece on prominent Gaming website Polygon. He focuses on the aspect of killing Prostitutes in Grand Theft Auto 5 and misses out the whole point is that you pretty much can kill everyone of any chosen career path, regardless of sex - it really isn't fussy. Strangely enough, there is never a moment where the game forces you to kill a sex worker, but you do have to blow up the CEO of the Games' parody of Facebook on live television... which is terrible... I was only just thinking the other day about the unfair treatment of Multi-Billionaire Social Media Moguls in games. Erik Kain writing on Forbes decries the absurdity of Campbells piece as well as addressing the sensationalism. On top of this he offers constructive criticism on how GTA 5 could address a number of its shortcomings in this area in a blog well worth reading as a comparative piece.
One of Sarkeesians points is the women that do appear in games are just seemingly tacked on to the end, an award for completing the challenge set before you. She cites the legendary Super Mario series as a culprit in this. The Princess is kidnapped and provides the motivation for the entire game as you race from castle to castle to save her. I also note she has been constructive in her support for Irrational Games 'BioShock: Infinite' about the capabilities of the woman (Elizabeth) who acts as a guide and supports your character as the game progresses.' The games story is simply incredible and it is one of my favourite games of all time, with a large portion of that being accountable to Elizabeth alone. Sarkeesian does seem to miss the fact that before Elizabeth can assist you as the player, you have to save her. From a tower. Fancy that.
In all honesty, this is exactly what critics of this subject tend to do. That is a snapshot of a game that take 15 hours to play through and framed at a certain angle proves my point. Much like certain clips Sarkeesian shows of games treating women poorly, like Red Dead Redemption; a game set in 1912 in the still very much Wild West where if history tells us anything it probably wasn't much fun - especially if you were a woman. Very prominent is the image of the anti-hero John Marston carrying a bound woman on horseback but it's never put into context or discussed that one of the female characters (who owns a massive Ranch) saves your life and is a staunch ally when needed throughout the game.
I'm not defending Rockstar and I'm not bashing Sarkeesian, I think she has brought attention and focus on a subject that does need improvement. I'm not sure that everything is quite as bad as it's made out to be and I would question some of her arguments and examples. That is a good thing though, prompting people to think about a subject that has become more and more relevant as the appeal of video games has broadened.
Just to try and take this full circle, when I started this blog I said that the definition of feminism was one I held to most of my beliefs. I do believe in equality of the sexes - to a point. I also think that precious things are worth protecting and it is my (arguably) old fashioned belief that this applies to women. Wanting to protect and help should have no detriment or bearing on how capable the person is, simply on whether they are deserving of protecting. I fully understand how women's capabilities might be undermined by the tropes on display in certain video games but would hate to think that to supplant them means sacrificing their worth. This should be true of everyone, but especially women. Little things like holding doors open and giving up your seat for women are important parts of tradition and I would be concerned if the pro feminist movement eroded this. It is my opinion that women are the fairer sex but by no means should be considered the weaker one.
In all honesty, this is exactly what critics of this subject tend to do. That is a snapshot of a game that take 15 hours to play through and framed at a certain angle proves my point. Much like certain clips Sarkeesian shows of games treating women poorly, like Red Dead Redemption; a game set in 1912 in the still very much Wild West where if history tells us anything it probably wasn't much fun - especially if you were a woman. Very prominent is the image of the anti-hero John Marston carrying a bound woman on horseback but it's never put into context or discussed that one of the female characters (who owns a massive Ranch) saves your life and is a staunch ally when needed throughout the game.
I'm not defending Rockstar and I'm not bashing Sarkeesian, I think she has brought attention and focus on a subject that does need improvement. I'm not sure that everything is quite as bad as it's made out to be and I would question some of her arguments and examples. That is a good thing though, prompting people to think about a subject that has become more and more relevant as the appeal of video games has broadened.
Just to try and take this full circle, when I started this blog I said that the definition of feminism was one I held to most of my beliefs. I do believe in equality of the sexes - to a point. I also think that precious things are worth protecting and it is my (arguably) old fashioned belief that this applies to women. Wanting to protect and help should have no detriment or bearing on how capable the person is, simply on whether they are deserving of protecting. I fully understand how women's capabilities might be undermined by the tropes on display in certain video games but would hate to think that to supplant them means sacrificing their worth. This should be true of everyone, but especially women. Little things like holding doors open and giving up your seat for women are important parts of tradition and I would be concerned if the pro feminist movement eroded this. It is my opinion that women are the fairer sex but by no means should be considered the weaker one.
Gotta catch 'em all!
