Final Presentation

I was about to do my presentation until we heard the unfortunate news that we did not have to present anymore. However I did have an outline as to what I was going to say about video games; here is an outline of our entire project.

1. Introduction
1. What is video game?
1. Game involves interaction with user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device.
2. Background to where we got the video game topic
1. Previous class discussion revolving around video game showed a huge disconnect between genders in class.
2. What did we want to get out of this project
1. Understand video games
2. Understand gender roles in video games
3. Venues in Boston that promote video games
2. Mapping
1. MIT (Cambridge, MA): Denis Dyack
2. Harmonix (Cambridge, MA): makers of Guitar Hero and Rock Band
3. River Gods (Cambridge, MA): occasionally holds video game tournaments
4. Newbury Comics (Cambridge & Boston, MA): talk and purchase video games
3. Blog
1. Study from NY Times showed that men had feelings in their brains indicating reward and addiction more than women.
2. 10% of video games played are by women according to game developer Sheri Graner
3. Stereotypes: women in games have exaggerated or "well-endowed" physical features
1. Targeted for men age 13-26; eye candy
4. Research and publications: 50 greatest female characters based on power and influence
5. Guy's experiences
1. Blogger's boyfriend stated that he liked to play games who have similar traits to his own personality
6. Growing amount of female gamers
1. There are female teams who go and participate in tournaments
2. PMS clan: members range from age 9-59
1. Creates community similar to "Stitch n' Bitch"
4. Del.icio.us
1. Blog links
1. Jason's - gaming news and prices
2. Women blogs - Niko & Game Girl Advance
2. Articles
1. CNN
1. 38% females play video games for average of 7.4 hours/week
2. G.I.R.L (Gamers in Real Life) - initiative for female gamers to receive a scholarship to get more female game developers into the industry
3. Females are more apt to play hand-held (Nintendo DS) casual games (Sim's).
   

A Guy's View on Male Characters

Continuing my last blog on a guy's view on female characters, Dr. Heide Solbrig asked a great point, do guys have mixed feelings about "hyper sexual characterizations of their same gender"? I decided to ask my boyfriend, Jason, an avid video gamer, that follow-up question. Jason might differ from your average video gamer since he plays often. He follows gaming websites and forums and plays video games on different platforms. He says that he feels indifferent about male characters goofy or completely romanticized. But if he were to prefer anything, it'd be something goofy like Mario which is similar to his character. I jokingly asked if he would be offended if I said he should look like some muscled male character from Street Fighter and he said no. In general, it might depend on the personality of the male. Jason has a good sense of humor and so generally won't take what he sees as serious. If anything, Jason sees those exaggerated male characters as a mockery and it doesn't make him want to look like those animations.

Videogames Don't Understand Women

There's the common stereotype that women don't understand videogames. However, have people thought about if its because video games that don't understand women? Put in that perspective, maybe people haven't thought about that. This article explains the disconnect between women and videogames. Sheri Graner Ray , is a female game designer. She has written a book titled, "Gender Inclusive Game Design: Expanding the Market". Seeing as how her work ties in with our media project, this article looked interesting to read.

Sheri has been an avid supporter of female videogamers. She thinks that there is a specific reason as to why less than 10% of the video game playing population is made up of females. She believes it's attributed to the images that are portrayed in video games. The sexualization of female characters does not appeal to the average female gamer. The typical female hero is "overly endowed, and highly sexualized". Even though both male and female heroes are exaggerated greatly, the female ones are exaggerated at only the point where they are ready for sexual mating (red parted lips, big bedroom eyes). Why is that females are portrayed like that? Men are portrayed in video games a positive emphasis with big body with muscles, strong determination, and a willingness to fight. Male characters aren't placed in a sexual position like females are. You don't see male characters running around in speedos. For females, they get the short end of the stick. Most characters do not show their emotional strength, their wisdom, or their ability to multi-task. They are dressed in explicit clothing.

Another thing to keep in mind is the different perspectives that gamers have in mind. Female gamers aren't necessarily going to be impressed with flashy, sexy images. Guys may like that stuff with explosions and drama. However, with video games, female gamers want some kind of experience playing it, possibly an emotional one where they can relate or be attached to their character. They need a reason to still become involved in the game. Violence and sexual content won't cut it. By sexualizing the female heroine, the video games in a way mocks or trivializes the experience for female gamers and in essence, turns them away from playing. I think that this article was well written and explains well how sexualization won't keep a female gamer interested. I also like that it took the perspective of a female game designer. It makes me curious as to what kinds of games that she has created and how she has broken that stereotype of female characters in videogames.

Interview with a gaming enthusiasts

I interviewed my cousin Callista Tieu. She is a current student at the Art Institute of California, San Diego majoring in video game art and design. She will intern for either Sony Online Entertainment, Blizzard, or Rockstar. To summarize the vibe coming off cousins reaction and responses, the gaming industry still stereotype female gamers. However it is perceived that the advanced female gamers are much respected and have a camaraderie amongst the other male gamers. Funny to mention, when I was nearing the end of our interview, she asked me whether I took this off of Sony Online Entertainment. Apparently, the video gaming industry is just as intrigued about female gamers as much as we are.

Why do you play videogames?

They’re entertaining and can be fun with friends

Why do you want to become a video game developer?

The industry is growing and can also branch off in other directions such as the movie industry

How would you rate yourself as a gamer (amateur, intermediate, expert)?

Intermediate - expert

What are your favorite games to play?

First person shooters

What about these games do you like? What makes you want to play certain types of genres of videogames as opposed to others?

It’s a guy’s type of game. So playing in their environment is a bit of a challenge, but none the less fun.

Do you think there’s a huge difference in playing skills between girls and guys?

Yes

If you do think there’s a huge difference, why do you think that is?

As much as I’d hate to admit, from experience the majority of girls and guys have different focus’ in game. They share different perspectives and different motives.

Do you take female videogamers seriously?

Only some

Do you think female characters in video games are sexualized?

Yes

If you do, does that bother you? What aspects of it bothers you?

It doesn’t bother me. I’m use to it, but I can see why it would bother others. Girls in video games are stereotyped by weapons given to them, or their clothing and it would be ok. While guys can carry macho weapons and that would be some how realistic.

Do you think male videogamers care that the female characters are sexualized in nature?

Probably not

Do you think sexualizing the female characters helps sell videogames?

It does

Do you want to play games that have sexualized female characters?

I’m more concerned about the game itself and not the why characters are portrayed

What do you think this tells videogame players?

That’s not your average girl gamer?

What would you like to see in a female character? What is your ideal picture?

More options. More skin models, wider range of weaponry, better voice acting.

A Guy's Opinion on Female Characters in Video Games

So I was talking to my boyfriend, Jason, who is an avid videogamer, about my media class. I told him about our project and how we wanted to research gender differences in videogaming. An interesting aspect of that was brought up recently in posts previous to this was how female characters were portrayed in video games. I decided why not ask a guy's perspective on the sexualization of female characters. I then asked him what he thought about it and what it did for him while he was playing. He agreed that the female characters are sexualized on purpose to appeal to guys who are playing the videogames. There aren't that many positive images of female characters because naughty looking female characters are more interesting. Exaggerated body shapes are fantasized by guys and seeing that on the tv screen makes the videogaming experience worthwhile. It's something to look at while you're playing. He also said that people need to keep in mind that the target audience of majority of videogaming are for guys ages 13-26. My boyfriend says he is more indifferent towards seeing a sexualized female character because it does nothing for him. It is just a virtual world. Off the top of his head, he can only name 1 positively portrayed female character: Jade (Beyond Good & Evil). He says that she is portrayed positively because she has substance. She is a journalist, and isn't scantily clad. She is part of a game story where it isn't violent and she is aiming to help the unfortunate like an orphanage while trying to expose the corrupt side of the government. Whilst, there are many other negatively portrayed, sexualized female characters in games such as Blood Rayne. Here, you can see how disporportionate her body is. I feel like there is no need to exaggerate her chest size. Overall, Jason is interested in all genres of games (adventures, arcade, action) most of which are male lead characters. They don't feature any overly exaggerated females. However, if they were to be featured, Jason says that he'd be indifferent towards them.

The 50 Greatest Female Characters in Video Games

Here's a few of the top female characters..a list compiled by a male video gamer, Rob Wright. He claims, "A quick note about this list: it's for the greatest female characters, which means it's not a list of the "hottest video game chicks" or "top video game vixens." Sure, looks count. But these female characters have to make an impact beyond their appearance. To measure greatness, I looked at how each character made a significant impression on the game play or narrative, whether they are central characters, playable characters or supporting characters. How would the game have turned out if the character had been eliminated? Was the character distinguished as being a "first" such as Princess Daphne in Dragon's Lair? How many appearances has a particular character made in games as well as other media, such as movies? Do the character's story, narrative and voice acting elevate the game?" -50 Greatest Females in Video Games.

Whatever he claims, his pros and cons are filled with terms such as "easy on the eyes, nice outfit" or "outfit could use some work" aka less of it perhaps?

Sure, these female characters may be able to kick some butt but why does Lara Croft have to have a size double F chest? This topic has already been brought up on the blog by Brenda but I'd like to reiterate..what do female gamers think about these female characters? Let us know!

Are they really strong? What is your ideal female gaming character? What would she look like? Do? Act? Say? How would she be compelling?

Female Characters in Games

I found this Game Trailers video on Youtube that talk about their top ten women in gaming. In order to make the list “these ladies of the pixel had to be hot and empowering”. I guess you can’t break all stereotypes. As this clip shows, women characters in games has definitely changed from being the damsel in distress (though we still see this) to the independent strong woman who is just as powerful as any man. Yet while this clip portrays strong, independent female characters, most of these characters, with the exception of one or two, are scantily dresses and have voluptuous bodies. What kind of message do you think this gives to younger girls playing these games? They use to be exposed to the stereotype of the weak females but now that that stereotype is somewhat resolved, they are faced with this image of what it means to be an attractive woman. In my opinion, based on the characters I saw in the clip, there should be more characters like #3 on the list: AlyxVance (Half Life Two). “Alex’s charm lies not just in her looks but in her personality and intelligence. Alex is the whole package. She may not end up on the pages of Maxim but she ‘s one of the more empowering representation of women in video games.”