I’m was right there with you a few years ago. My daughter plays, and I was sure to point out how it was catering to male fantasy and all that. But then I took her to some conventions she asked to go to. Do you know what I saw. More women then men.
And there was a space of computers that people could stop and play genshin and the like. Again more women then men. And the women were all playing genshin while the guys were playing games with more zoomed out interactions.
It turns out that women are a big part of the reason for the intricate costumes on female characters and such.
I still don’t know what really to make of it all, but I do know my first impression of a game just objectifying women for male pleasure is not accurate.
And don’t get me started on the female cosplayers at these conventions.
Thanks for taking the time to write out a response. I think it might depend on the game and some games are probably “better” examples of what I meant. As long as it’s equal for both male as well as female characters, I don’t mind at all since that would be equality then. But in a game like Monster Hunter, some armour sets are just quite… exposing. Like, you’re fighting giant monsters, dragons and what not, but it’s probably a good idea to run around with an exposed chest and legs whilst the rest being covered by armour. The definition of armour is really loose then, I feel like.
As long as the armour/outfit fits in with the game world, I don’t mind too much since you can come up with lore reasons for why a certain piece of clothing or armour is designed the way it is. However, there certainly examples of both where it’s quite obvious that they’ve been designed for the male gaze first and foremost.
I’m was right there with you a few years ago. My daughter plays, and I was sure to point out how it was catering to male fantasy and all that. But then I took her to some conventions she asked to go to. Do you know what I saw. More women then men.
And there was a space of computers that people could stop and play genshin and the like. Again more women then men. And the women were all playing genshin while the guys were playing games with more zoomed out interactions. It turns out that women are a big part of the reason for the intricate costumes on female characters and such. I still don’t know what really to make of it all, but I do know my first impression of a game just objectifying women for male pleasure is not accurate. And don’t get me started on the female cosplayers at these conventions.
Thanks for taking the time to write out a response. I think it might depend on the game and some games are probably “better” examples of what I meant. As long as it’s equal for both male as well as female characters, I don’t mind at all since that would be equality then. But in a game like Monster Hunter, some armour sets are just quite… exposing. Like, you’re fighting giant monsters, dragons and what not, but it’s probably a good idea to run around with an exposed chest and legs whilst the rest being covered by armour. The definition of armour is really loose then, I feel like.
As long as the armour/outfit fits in with the game world, I don’t mind too much since you can come up with lore reasons for why a certain piece of clothing or armour is designed the way it is. However, there certainly examples of both where it’s quite obvious that they’ve been designed for the male gaze first and foremost.