AnAfterImage
246124
7181
687
I saw a post the other day (http://imgur.com/gallery/SJrqQ7o) that talked about female characters in video games. Some people in the comments were complaining about the female characters being sexualized. While there is some cases that, yes, it gets out of hand; for the most part I don't mind it.
There are several reasons why it doesn't bother me.
(I know it's a little long, but please bear... bare? with me.)
Muscles ≠ Boobs (Damnit Jim, I'm an imgurian, not a photoshopper)
I don't know if it is because men seem to be more likely to realize its just a fantasy, or because female sexualization is an issue outside of games, or whatever reason there may be; but no one seems to point out the exaggerated proportions of men in games.
Hell, from Resident Evil 1 to Resident Evil 5, Chris implanted watermelons in his arms. Yes there was a lot of jokes surrounding steroid use and such, but no one really made a big fuss about it. Not if it was giving watermelon boobs to someone like... Peach? Zelda? Idk.
I suppose you could say something like "But it's not sexualizing him!" But you know what? Muscles turn a lot of girls on. Give me one girl who hasn't fantasized about licking someone's well toned muscles/abs. ('Cept lesbians, but I mean, I don't think sexy females is much of an issue to them)
While some may say that muscles don't turn everyone on, or they aren't the same as boobs, not as sexy etc.
Well, boobs don't turn everyone on either.
There are a lot of things girls focus on in guys; Face, body, package size... (Closet we ever got to that in a video game was Trevor's balls though. And a stray crotch bulge here and there.) And Snake's ass.
Girls just seem to keep quiet about it more though. We can get turned on without anyone ever knowing. We can ogle a guy all we want and we never get called out on it.
But I digress, Snake's ass leads me to another point.
Guys in Video Games are usually really hot. (The gradient hides my shame.)
They are. My first crush was Riku. He made me feel tingly in my lady parts for the first time. He probably also created my penchant for white hair.
There is fan-fiction upon fan-fiction that ladies make about them, I should know, I must've read hundreds before I realized I could just write my own fantasies about Shadow and Sonic fighting for my angle-winged, half-dragon, half-goddess, avatar (Last Airbender style) cat women.
There is a wonderful gallery on dA full of men (Lots of Video Game ones) with a pink spoon and a splash of yogurt http://doubleleaf.deviantart.com/gallery/24250303 (It's also kinda NSFW at times. No nudity but.. Snake and Leon are my favorites.)
I find it no different than women being made to look hot or sexy. I'm not complaining that Snakes ass is to die for, or that Link is one of the hottest Nintendo characters, or that I realized I totally should've added Dante to this picture but I don't want to go back and edit it.
Also, just look at it.
Also don't google it.
I was going to add Leon to that big picture up there...
...But I forgot. Like Dante. But unlike Dante, Leon needs to be here. And you guys haven't gotten enough of my crappy editing.
(Plus this way I can add both 4 and 6 Leons. Cause facial hair Leon is the better Leon.)
And sometimes... Sexy can be a choice.
Sometimes women want to be sexy. There is nothing wrong with it. Sometimes I want to wear mini skirts with thigh highs, tight tops, heels... Because I want to. Because I like those clothes and how they look sometimes.
A lot of people immediately assume such outfits to be associated with a 'slut'. Who cares if I like those clothes? Who cares if I like sex? I'm not advertising, I just really really like how thigh highs look with skirts. Or shorts. I'm not picky.
So why can't women in video games be like that? Heather wears a skirt in Silent Hill 3. She wasn't going to, but the female members on the team wanted it.
So when I see someone like Bayonetta I can only say "Why can't I have hair clothes?"
One last thing I promise.
I know. I totally should've ended with that last line. If I get downvoted to oblivion, I'm gonna assume its cause of that.
There was a lot of people complaining about Zero Suit Samus's new look in the new Smash Bros. I don't know why, but the first thing out of my mouth when I saw her was "She is so pretty! Asterisk, period, asterisk."
I have always loved Samus. She has been one of my favorite video game heroines for a long time now. When I saw a lot of people complaining about her heels and how "Samus would never wear anything like that! She is a badass not a hooker!" I couldn't help but want to argue a little. But then I shrugged it off and ranted to Imgur.
Sans "Other M" (Cause it's horrible) Samus is an amazing character. Yes she is a badass, it doesn't mean she has run around in a baggy t-shirt and sweats. I like her heels, I like how they look and how they function. She was one of my mains in Brawl and now she looks even more fun to play.
I don't have any pictures of my cat that aren't blurry or next to a pile of poop. Have Vodka Cat instead.
My... Um... Brother... Drew this...
If you've read this far, thanks. It's something I've wanted to say for a long time. Growing up with games, mainly because my grandmother and aunt played them, I tend to be passionate about them.
I know there are issues about females being identified as sex objects sometimes, but a lot of guys are pretty nice.
I find women in games with big breasts, or who look too beautiful to be real, to be just that, a fantasy. I imagine myself looking hot and shooting bad guys to oblivion. Just as I imagine every guy has imagined themselves as Kratos pleasing two women and still being able to fight giant mythical beings.
And to be fair, I don't think any girl has watched porn and been like "You know, I wish those women had smaller breasts and a strong personality."
(Sorry for spelling and grammar. And for my terrible editing. Feel free to show your opinions in the comments though.)
SittinSamTheSaychetMan
But Samus is the exception, because her character is supposed to be a no-nonsense badass bounty hunter. Sexualizing her is simply incorrect
amelaine8
some pretty good points, but it bothers me that "I know I'm hot, I wear heels in battle" is such an overused female personality in games
VelociRachelwastakenandthatmademesad
Im fine with it too, I'd just like more fully developed female leads or more loi
batshrew
Hotness is one thing. Practicality is another. Jacked as they may be, at least those dudes look like they could wreck some shit.
dobsonFly
All I have to say is that Desmond and all of his ancestors were fine as hell.
letmejusttwirlmyrevolverwhilesnakewatchesmeperfect
ooh yea, especially edward
MKDouma
I don`t dislike existing female characters, but sometimes I just want a realistically beefy female soldier who *may* not be a supermodel.
smokerockpunchcops
The problem is the blatant objectivism. There's nothing wrong with female sexuality, but it shouldn't be required to sell a game
Koztah
If everyone bought games where the main character was a yogurt, there'd be a lot of yogurt games. Publishers feed the demand.
hisnameisshdynasty
http://imgur.com/hexBvcJ
habslove
People complain because there are a lot less female characters and a large majority of them have their tits/ass hanging out.
morphire
I find that there's a big difference between over-sexualized characters and characters that are sexy.
Delachama
I think you have the right idea, also being a female gamer, I really think more rounded characters on all sides is the way to go.
AnAfterImage
Sure. And its happening all the time. Games like The Last of Us do a really good job of that. Games are becoming more diverse everyday.
Delachama
which is very exciting! : D
smokerockpunchcops
My problem with Samus is she was written as 6'3 and 200lbs of bounty hunting muscle, not 5'3 and bootylicious.
MostIndeedlySo
2 The particular mystery was of course that he was actually she but that was it. Damn, I really liked the old booklets that came with games.
Koztah
Are you new to the series?
smokerockpunchcops
Are you? http://warnersretrocorner.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/metroid-samus-diagram.png
Koztah
That's the Super Metroid Players Guide, I have it. Notice there are four Samuses (Samii?) with -different hair and builds- in my image.
SittinSamTheSaychetMan
Samus: BAMF first, hot second.
MostIndeedlySo
Played original Metroid last weekend on my dear old NES console. Samus was written as a bounty hunter with a mystery to "his" character.
Koztah
Unless you finish the game really fast and get to see her out of her suit.
MostIndeedlySo
Yes. But the characterization overall was vague at best with only few lines concerning the character.
maddogg2216
So...Brianne of Tarth.
andrestromqvist
So no one is going to comment on that awesome cat? +1 for awesome cat.
AnAfterImage
Thank you. I'm pretty sure it was drawn at 2AM or something. I can't remember.
TarEmerald
True. I think some of it has to do with risk aversion, though. Big studios tend to go with what they know, rather than seek new markets.
vanishplusxzone
1)The thing is? Most of the male things you mentioned are still targeted toward males. Muscles aren't put on male characters for we female
apwillenme
How? How do you know this? Is there some sort of men's only focus group that is probed for how male characters should look in video games?
hellaxmella
Yeah... It's called the video game creators -_-
vanishplusxzone
3)female sexualization in video games either, but don't intentionally mischaracterize.
lastcetra
This this this. A lot of those muscular men referenced are found in first person games, where the onus is on becoming the character (1/2)
lastcetra
rather than being with the character. The women are there for the male gaze rather than to act as a role model. I don't think we'd be (2/3)
lastcetra
having this discussion if women were well written. Dressing sexy is fine,but that can't be the sum total of a character's development. (3/3)
[deleted]
[deleted]
[deleted]
[deleted]
apwillenme
You know this because? Or did you reach the conclusion based on your existing belief system (rhetorical question)?
5NoteHalf
As a fit but tiny guy (132LB) I look more like "ideal buff girls" than "ideal dude." Just once I'd like to see some skinny-ass action hero.
tybbiesniffer
As a girl gamer, so would I. Don't care for the big muscles.
Taylurker
Same here, tall skinny dudes are much more attractive to me, and then they also rely on character depth instead of strength to BE the hero.
tybbiesniffer
And they usually have better abs
[deleted]
[deleted]
vanishplusxzone
That's what I'm saying. You can't compare T&A shots to over muscled men because they're both there for male gamers.
AnAfterImage
I know. But again, there a lot of men who don't like over muscle men and such. It goes both ways in the end. I just don't see men complaning
vanishplusxzone
They're not complaining because gaming is an escapist fantasy.
StringVariable
These expressions propagate the image of what is acceptable and desirable. Even women would by principle start accepting and enjoying it.
vanishplusxzone
2)gamers to ogle, they're there for power fantasies. We're still not the primary demographic for most games. I don't particularly care about
NinjWned
Plenty of designers will tell you that they design guy characters to be attractive to women just as much as they do girls for men.
[deleted]
[deleted]
vanishplusxzone
Yes, comparing something with a primary male demographic to a primary female demographic makes complete sense.
awefulcrowded23
demographic, then they are obviously attractive to females, and not just a male power fantasy.(2)
awefulcrowded23
vanishplusxzone
1)No, the point is that you can't say male targeted sexual images are balanced out by male targeted power fantasy in male targeted media.
vanishplusxzone
2)Most female gamers are not playing games so they can get the cover of a harlequin novel out of it.
StringVariable
The jacked up guys bother me too in another way. But practical female would be: booby squishing bra, muscular, and for God's sake no heels.
NotACanadian
This super-effective armor barely manages to obscure my nipples. I'm ready for combat.
Eldibs
It's magic armor, duh. Everyone knows that for the magic to work, it has to cover as little as possible.
zinvader
So like the gears of war girls. I always felt like those were the most equally represented females
ron2d2
The jacked bros are like that for a reason. Take Solid Snake, a clone of a legendary soldier with slightly altered genes, of course he's...
ron2d2
going to have that physique with his perfect genes and all. Same with Kratos, dude is a demi-god (a son of Zeus) and champion of the gods.
VesselOfHate
Not quite though. Most of these top placing guys look fat: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World%27s_Strongest_Man
itsimpossibletofindausernamethatisnttaken
Those guys are strong but they aren't fast. Lean muscle is necessary for people who want agility and speed.
ron2d2
So true, after playing GoW you'll see his level of agility. It's meant to depict acts mere mortals aren't suppose to be able to perform.
ZeroNumerous
Actually, Snake is pretty normal compared to Chris Redfield and other people whose candy bowl is just full of steroids.
ron2d2
I'm not sure about Chris Redfield, but I'm sure his consistent contact with the T-virus has something to do with it.
ZeroNumerous
I think he just has a candy bowl on his coffee table with steroids in pill form. And he just eats from it when bored or channel-surfing.
StringVariable
What bothers me is that the distinction between lean and bulky muscles. Often one type for one game dependent on style.
CptTightPants
The issue isn't that women are sexualized, is that they're more homogeneously portrayed than men. There is much more variety in the way (1)
CptTightPants
Men are portrayed than women. Yes there are plenty examples of extreme sexualization in men as well as women. The difference is that men (2)
CptTightPants
More often get away with being portrayed in many other ways, while women are more restricted in how they can be portrayed. (3)
Broducer
Protrayed in many ways as if they're role models of some sort? People are fans of characters, but WANTS to be a, say, Krotos? Uh...
CptTightPants
And this doesn't just apply to video games, it's a broader cultural issue. (4)
PrincessNausicaa
I don't have an opinion BUT hands up as a straight girl who hasn't fantasised about "licking someone's well toned muscles/abs." Yuk.
SerialKitten666
I never met a woman who was attracted to a male video game character and I am a video games tester. They're a rare breed
terradi
Ditto this, as a straight woman. This is a thing? o.0
officerjt
I'm with you on that, I appreciate the muscles, that doesn't mean I wanna lick them. I also love tattoos, and don't wanna lick them either.
kootiepatra
Ditto.
AnAfterImage
I prefer skinny guys myself. But every once and a while there comes along someone's perfect muscles. Can't help myself.
varsil
Hey, just wanted to say thanks for posting this. Needed to be said.
RenmasterX
Well, this deserves an obligatory "prepare your inbox" comment. Then again.. so does this entire post I would imagine.
AnAfterImage
Haven't gotten any private messages to be honest. But to be fair, a lot of people seem to think the same, just have never said anything.
CrackedActor
As a man, I was once acquainted with a woman who had this amazing tone in her biceps... I wanted to lick them. Just a little.
NotSoMuch
It would be nice to see more variety in both male and female characters, for those of us who aren't super into muscle dudes and boob ladies.
coolaggro
The maker of FFVIII wanted to make someone who was cute, not gorgeous and perfect, so he made Renoa
Koztah
There are lots of games without muscle dudes and without boob ladies. But if you mainly play mass market stuff you'll see mass market bodies
NotSoMuch
Sure. But it would be swell if the mass market switched it up a bit more, too.
Koztah
The mass market would switch it up if the mass market bought other stuff. Can't drop 30 mil and get back 10, you know.
NotSoMuch
True. I think some of it has to do with risk aversion, though. Big studios tend to go with what they know, rather than seek new markets.
Koztah
Yep. publishers are in it for the money. That's why we have Kickstarter.
coatcoatcoat
i get that its a fantasy and i would have no problem with a hero or heroine mowing through monsters twice their size being skinny as fuck (1
coatcoatcoat
and having no muscles to speak of but i feel it just adds to the "badassery" when the hero is fucking jacked. it creates more of an (2
coatcoatcoat
epic feel to it all. then again it depends what type of hero/heroine it is. cant have a jacked rogue and a jacked wizard looks odd to me
NotSoMuch
I mean, I'm probably in the minority, but a game about Vodka Cat would interest me way more than the usual guns-spandex-and-ammo fare.
AnAfterImage
That would be an idea. You should look around the Steam indie section if you're PC. They have some pretty good games. Also TellTale.
krunchi
The majority of games aren't actually about buff guys and sexy girls. Because the majority are little games, and indie games.
NotSoMuch
Sure, but I'd love to see more atypical sandbox-type games, too. It's not as if there isn't some precedent (e.g. Shadow of the Colossus).
Moocat
You don't understand the difference between male fantasy (male characters) and female objectification (female characters in games). 1/?
shadowex3
You don't understand that arbitrarily saying "that doesn't count because... uh... men want that!" is not even PRETENDING not to be a fallacy
Moocat
Females being sexy in video games isn't inherently wrong, but it plays deeply into roots of objectification, where males game characters 2/?
Moocat
are rarely objectified. They lough "tough", "manly" and even "handsome" but being attractive isn't a prereq for male characters like 3/?
Moocat
it is for females. When have you seen an ugly female protagonist? One that doesn't have perfect proportions or a pretty face? 4/?
Moocat
The problem isn't pretty characters, there's no shame in that. The problem is the impact on society and culture that only having 5/?
Moocat
objectified women in video games offers. That's not saying women can't be sexy/powerful. But there's no balance for women characters.
shadowex3
you're literally inventing whatever claims you need on the fly just for the sake of making it impossible to ever disprove your argument.
billiebitkiller
There's a difference between liking to look pretty and being forced to look pretty. One of the reasons I love Chell from Portal so much is
othernym
Yeah, Portal 1 Chell is like the perfect example of a non-sexualized, strong female lead. Can't think of many others like that.
billiebitkiller
and Portal 2 Chell?
othernym
Maybe not as great, but still quite good.
billiebitkiller
because she's clearly a woman without being sexed up. Being a woman isn't all about being attractive; sometimes it's a distraction. I want
billiebitkiller
to be able to play a game, as my gender, kickass, and not forced to be wear crazy immodest clothes.
AnAfterImage
A lot of games are better with that though. Skyrim barely has any skimpy outfits, and games are being more diversified through it.
billiebitkiller
They are *getting* better because women are complaining instead of being like "It's fine stop complaining".
AnAfterImage
But some women like me are ok with the fantasies. It's simply that not every game is being made to comply with sexy fantasies.
superblyme
A++
karlifornia
Isn't it more about impracticality of the situation? Bikini armor isn't practical or even reasonable and only used for sexualization.
mattyoclock
Something covering the face, arms, and hands would be practical as well. That's also sexualizing. Biceps stop no more than boobs do.
Dracology
Realistic and practical armor get pretty boring to look at and have little point vs something more visually interesting but less practical
ThatGuyVinny
I can see some logic behind it, as most women would not be able to stand toe to toe with a 6'4" 400 pound armored guy they need (1/2)
ThatGuyVinny
To stay light and use there agility over brute strength. Armor slows you down if you can't swing as hard as the next person your fucked(2/2)
ThatGuyVinny
But its lose logic and would apply to a lot of dudes too
karlifornia
There is logic behind light, flexible armor. There is no logic for a chainmail bikini or a guy just wearing shorts
GettinBuckets
Just as an example, does Kratos' armor look very practical to you? Works both ways sometimes
karlifornia
I don't think the conversation or point excluded men from the discussion. I don't think that's great either and should probably be changed.
Therm
I disagree. I'm male and enjoy dumb macho characters if it's a murder frenzy game like God of War. The character fits with his background.
GettinBuckets
You specifically said bikini armor. I don't think many men wear that.
karlifornia
The post discusses women. I made a suggestion that identified the issue in reference to women. It does not exclude additional points for men
KitchenSink
So? It's fantasy
Flyingnun
Because it strips down any character or powers they may have to just sexy eye candy instead of warrior or mage etc.
Flyingnun
It shows that they value females as decoration more then the realism of the game they have created
karlifornia
Are you just throwing the kitchen sink at it?
karlifornia
Really though, it systematically teaches people how to think about women. Just like advertising. A woman is FIRST a sexual object.
Broducer
Video games can't make people kill, yet, it can make them hate women. Okay, got it.
KitchenSink
It really doesn't.
karlifornia
Well, that's just your opinion man.
HookahTimeMaybeNoOKMaybeLater
He could say the same about yours.
shadowex3
You realise that on this post your argument actually backfires and applies that to MEN as well, right?
AnAfterImage
I agree that fantasy has a lot of impractical armor. Skyrim does a pretty good job of combating it though. A few others do as well.
karlifornia
Yeah I like KOA: Reckoning. I often don't feel like my chary needs to go put a shirt on. I just think in gaming culture women are often(1/?)
karlifornia
used specifically for sexual objectification (issue rampant in our culture) but the industry does a poor job of addressing it. Which (2/2)
AmeliePoulain
That's the point. A few other fighters don't condemn the battlefield in bikinis. I want men to wear sexy bikinis on the filed too then.
AnAfterImage
Street fighter has already covered that with their males actually. thongs and short shorts... 1/2
AmeliePoulain
hot.
AnAfterImage
http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120224204739/streetfighter/images/2/23/Stance_%28SF3%29.gif 2/2
karlifornia
is why people get upset about it. (3/3) [those markers got all messed up. damn]
AnAfterImage
2/2 its characters and not using women as sexual objects.
karlifornia
Definitely. But, it still needs to get better. It's the same argument in STEM. It's gotten better but we still need to call attention to it
AnAfterImage
I think its gotten a lot better though. At least in games. It isn't nearly what it used to be and everyday games get better at diversifying
actonthat
But these are *exceptions.* How can you not see the problem with that? Do you want fake internet points that badly?
AnAfterImage
Many modern games do not have as bad armor as people say they do. Sure Soul Caliber and the like do, but it isn't bad.
actonthat
And it's just terrible storytelling, I mean come on.
actonthat
Yes. Yes, it IS bad. It encourages people to treat *real women* as sex objects. It supports the idea that women can't be powerful.
hailthefish
Big masculine powerful men are a male power fantasy. Sculpted, leggy women with ridiculous tits and ass hanging out are also a male fantasy.
shadowex3
So your argument is literally saying "Your point is invalid because I'm going to straw man all male thought and desires to make it so"?
AnAfterImage
Those girls are my fantasy also ;P
Therm
Today I learned women are not allowed to be sexy or feel sexy, but men are. Wait, isn't that sexism?
shadowex3
You're not even PRETENDING to make a logically valid argument here.
shadowex3
Ok, I can do that too: "Being a stereotypically sexy video game character is a female sex power fantasy. Muscly men are also female fantasy"
apwillenme
Women then have no fantasies? The sentence you just wrote sounds like "heads I win, tails you lose" to me.. .what is the female VG fantasy?
hailthefish
more of the trim-but-not-scrawny, fit-but-not-bulky and most importantly, reasonably intelligent and charming variety, not meat titans.
susheep
(2/2) consider the fact that women make up 53% of the market as well.
apwillenme
Right, and my question is how can they know the hearts and minds of character designers/their superiors, how do you KNOW why a char has (1/2
susheep
what they're saying is that's what the gaming industry is marketing toward men, because that's what men want to see. they don't (1/2)
apwillenme
certain traits, and that it is not to appeal to the WHOLE audience? It seems both are designed to appeal to everyone.
susheep
well then it probably also depends on the company and who is running both the design AND the marketing.
hailthefish
Female body type ideals are so distorted by the whole must-appeal-to-men thing that it's hard to say, but female fantasy men tend to be >>
apwillenme
I mean what is the female ideal for video game heroines? I'd wager that the ideal across both sexes is attractive, since VGs are visual.
hailthefish
Like.. FemShep. FemShep is physically all about the sexy, but has independence, an actual personality and controls her own destiny.
apwillenme
100% agree, that is a GREAT game, but let's face it not every game that comes out is a masterpiece, but it is not a sign of sexism in gaming
hailthefish
Something like 'is more than bouncing tits and ass to be rescued/be a sultry dominatrix'. Self-determination and personality.
apwillenme
In a visual medium like VGs, it simply isn't the case that looks don't enter into the equation, for either sex. Also there are tons of well
apwillenme
written female characters that are more than just T&A
Cheezyrock
With Samus, should wear boots, not heels. with others, it is more about the (lack of) personalities that they get rather than clothes.
shadowex3
So by your own logic men have it worse because there's far more one-dimensional male characters that exist solely to be brutally murdered.
Cheezyrock
Which is why Bayonetta is fine, bc she has personality to back up clothing choices. Often writers only include overly femanine stereotypes.
Tyrannotron
I don't see how this is limited. As a storytelling medium, video games traditionally have very shallow characters, regardless of gender.
MisterBoombastic
1) And shouldn't we be discouraging this? I mean it's 2014. We have so much power to build these amazing worlds and tell awesome stories
MisterBoombastic
2) Why are we settling for 1-dimensional stereotypes as our main characters. Male or Female.
Tyrannotron
It depends on the game and the approach. A lot of the reason so many characters are shallow is that limiting info about the character (1)
Tyrannotron
Makes it easier for players to insert themself as the character. This is particularly common in FPS games. Many games are driven by (2)
Tyrannotron
gameplay, rather than story/character, so having shallow characters isn't really a problem there either, e.g. puzzle or fighting games (3)
lapetitemort8814
as a guy, I hate ZSS's heels. They just feel out of place. Everything else I'm feeling you though.
ldraptor
She has worn heels several times before as a part of her suit, but it never stuck out or looked out of place so no one cared.
SonOfTheShire
I just find them funny, and I look forward to rocket-kicking my enemies through fits of laughter.
5NoteHalf
I like them, but they could have done them more like the long-fall boots from Portal and they'd've looked more "in-place."
ToastyMozart
I'm a little confused about them two, but they do seem like they would serve some purpose, like the Long Fall boots, or Fedorova's leg augs.
ToastyMozart
*too
Oddtwist
I didn't mind the heels, so much as the fact Samus is supposed to be 6'3", 190ish pounds and stacked, but for Smash Bros they always (1/2)
Oddtwist
—slim her down and nix any of that, which seems a nasty combination of weird and pointless.
Moocat
I feel the same way, (not as a man, though). Her heels are unnecessary. There were ways to design her without insane heels.
AricNeo
i think part of it is that the rest of her design is "sleek" while the heels are much bulkier.
lordforte
It amuses me constantly how high heels are just a fashionable mutation of the actual horse riding heels. They're worse for fighting by miles
pookiesexbomb
I feel like I could kick some ass in her heels! They look really sturdy.
lordforte
It can be the sturdiest thing in the world, won't matter if your feet/legs are constantly fighting the position they enforce.
jacqylfrost
My major malfunction is with Samus's new height. She's supposed to be fucking amazonian, as tall as Solid Snake.
Therm
Taller, actually. Built like Wonder Woman, basically. Linda Carter if you need a real world reference.
MrJohnsonAndTheJuiceCrew
i agree. i think theyre ugly and impractical for the crazy acrobatics she has to do
genericschmoe
The original art is all "NO HEELS TALLER THAN THIS PLEASE" and then lol stilettos but she's still only as tall as a Pikmin
inboxmefoxes
Yeah, but rocket boots. I lament only that they are a poor choice of color. ):
AnAfterImage
I can see why they would be an issue for some people though. I wonder how they would make rocket boots without a platform heel or so though.
AmeliePoulain
If THAT'S the case then all men would have high heels too.
AnAfterImage
To be fair, she jams them into peoples eyes and turns on the rockets. I'm sure men would love to do that too.
Moocat
Like a BOOT.
LarryTheLobster
huh, go figure
acappellaCantabile
I'm fine with Samus having some heel in her boots... just not quite that high. No idea what the word for it is, but like one inch seems good
LearningOnImgur
I just don't like ZSS because the coolest part about Samus was that Samus is just a bad ass in a suit, not a woman. Taking the suit away
EmeraldElement
I've mained Samus since SSB64, and yeah it ruins your game if you enable Smash Ball in Brawl.
LearningOnImgur
Fucking A! I just bought it again and didn't realize the smash ball makes you ZSS. Not only is it lame, but ZSS kinda sucks.
LearningOnImgur
(2) takes that away and makes her just look like a blonde chick in heels. Never mind how submissive she was in Other M.
UFOLoche
So...Metroid Zero Mission didn't happen then? That's where ZSS first appeared, where she snuck into a space pirate base on her own (1/2)
UFOLoche
And got past all of them with only a stun pistol and her own wits. THAT is pretty badass. (2/2)
Moocat
We don't talk about Other M....
ArchonIlladrya
That game didn't happen.
ZeroNumerous
Other M is 100% non-canon. :|
LearningOnImgur
I honestly liked Other M's gameplay. But that story was...atrocious. And unskippable.
ZeroNumerous
The gameplay is... okay. It's not Prime, but it's not bad. It's just non-canon as all hell!
Vogerl
TIL that kirby is "really hot".
RULESOFNATURE
that's fire kirby.
SluttySasha
IGotLostAtDildos
This comment makes me feel like I've seen this post before.
TooTiredToTalk
It was a fire breathing Kirby after all :3
57x28mm
swaggersaurus
Kirby is one sexy motherfucker
SillyHunny
Kirby has always been one tough cream puff!
AnAfterImage
I'm pretty sure I'm drunk on upvotes. If none of my replies make sense, that is why.
randomplaceholder
The main issue with Samus isn't that she's hot. It's that they went from "Amazon!Samus" to "Anime!Samus"
AnAfterImage
To be fair, all the characters in Smash Bros look like that. They look a lot more cute and cartoony than Melee and Brawl.
FemaleINTJ
OMG! Pink spoon Loki *drools* Thank you for this... :D
thegreatblacksby
OP you are a Hero. Well spoken and more than anything, honest. +1 for you Madam.
molotovcock
I absolutely love this post! Last time I posted about sexy girl characters in games, I ended up in bad comments.
AnAfterImage
Thanks! What did you say? D: Sorry that you got downvoted though. Have an upvote.
itxtalone
thanks for the well thought out post (if not ideas thrown up on the page) but i do not want a Bayonetta hair suit, that creeped me out
AnAfterImage
Hehe, I made it more of a joke than anything. I don't think I could ever pull it off.
GeeEm
Oh yeah, you should also point out that nobody had a problem with Cyborg!Raiden's ridiculous high heels.
AnAfterImage
Yes, that is true. And it's simply cause he is a man at that.
SoaringMuse
I enjoyed your post. When most men see a jacked motherfucker they think "damn!! what a beast" instead of "ugh what a disgusting tryhard"
Maoman1
Thoroughly explained a point I've always had in my head but could never quite put into words. +1 On another note... why is kirby "sexy?"
Sausageforspeedoflight
Your first post straight to the front page? Not bad OP, not bad.
AnAfterImage
I was so excited. I didn't think it would happen. I've been replying to comments out of happiness this whole time.
Sausageforspeedoflight
We are happy to share on your excitement. It was a good post, well deserved.
hermionejeangrangerweasley
Great Post OP! Love to see OC on the front page!
AnAfterImage
Thanks!
Zalophus
Thank you for this. I always see video games come under attack for a multitude of dumb reasons, so it's nice seeing someone defend them.
Max4Z
U dont Like Roxas from Kingdom Hearts 2?
AnAfterImage
I preferred Axel. Always Axel.
SamuraiFoxes
As another girl sort-of-gamer, Tidus (FFX) and Riku were STUDS in my younger years.
LearnSomethingNew
You forgot Booker DeWitt as your overly attractive male character example
AnAfterImage
I totally did! It's his stubble isn't it?
StringVariable
Heh, @AnAfterImage could make a whole album with everything she forgot.
AnAfterImage
I probably could. It was running really long so I couldn't stuff more in it.
GeeEm
Do it. I can think of plenty. Alucard, Julius Belmont, Yuri Lowell, Terry Bogard, Miles Edgeworth, Zack Fair, and for extra pun value, HUNK.
GeeEm
(max character limit comment)
AnAfterImage
Hah, Yeah. I would like to make another riding adressing some of the issues. But I don't know if that would be... Alright to do.
GeeEm
I just wanna say, Facial Hair Leon is best Leon but he seriously needs the Bomber Jacket back.
AnAfterImage
Yes, yes he does. I never enjoyed Leon quite as much until the facial hair to be honest though :P. He was good looking but that pushed it.
GeeEm
He was always my favorite, but his good looks were only a bonus on top of awesomeness. But I based my every day appearance off of him, (1)
GeeEm
Something else: You used Ike as an example of hot guy, but Chrom from the latest FE is a much better example. AND, he has Leon's voice!
AnAfterImage
Fire Emblem has kinds of hotness in it. You're totally right though.
GeeEm
Even though I'm not even white.
TheSonOfHades
Just out of question which Dante do you like the most? :3
AnAfterImage
If you mean looks, white hair. Riku kinda ruined that for me. Look at my Harvest Moon games, insta-marry white hair guys.
TheSonOfHades
I thought you meant Dante from the DMC games? :L May have misinterpreted...
GingerTheBeard
DMC 3 Dante, i love how his cockiness is so overplayed and yet so deserved.
TheSonOfHades
Not DMC 4 with the stubble then? ;)
blackknight64
+1 upvote. Thanks for getting that out there. Not a female, but real sick of the "video game characters should look average" crowd.
AnAfterImage
Yeah. I've always disliked how people seem to want games to mimic realty. It's escapism for a reason.
ImAnSJW
That isn't the issue, though. Other people have commented on this as well, but the point isn't that female characters are sexy. It's (1/2)
ImAnSJW
that that's ALL they are. It's a popular trope in gaming that women are meant to be seen as side characters to boost a male storyline.
blackknight64
Exactly. And hell, I don't know if you've seen some of the military SOF guys, but I've known some SEALs who make Kratos look small.
HeyCasButt
I used to live on Dam Neck naval base where DEVGRU is stationed. I can tell you...those fuckers are huge.
blackknight64
Yeah man. Them and the SWCC guys come to Fort Knox somewhat regularly... I'm a big dude, but I'm not fighting 'em.
AnAfterImage
My grandparents were in the Navy, I saw some big guys.
IdownvotePeopleWhoComplainAboutDownvoters
I'll just leave this right here.
Stupid sexy Snake
CossackHD
God dammit Snake Snake!
InboxMeYourOwls
Commenting to come back to on a sad day.
bghvgjdh
...Incredible.
IBetHeToldYouToJustLookAtIt
Mr Krotchy from Postal 2 is kinda hot too! http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100902131747/postal/images/1/17/Krotchy.jpg
VergilPrime
Holy sheet.
AnAfterImage
This was really amazing.
chocobosrcute
Dammit, Stupid Sexy Flander Snake
JacksCompleteLackOfAUsername
I lol'd.
SirGallethCooper
Oh my. . .
OtakuReceiver37
BluHaze
http://youtu.be/jb0h0c6p93A
xRenascent
Saving this for future reference.
eightbitrevolt
Better:
DanClarke96
Sweet Jesus this is glorius!
IdownvotePeopleWhoComplainAboutDownvoters
It is slightly disturbing with music.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XZPDgNeuHs
dnebays
my god is this OC?
eightbitrevolt
A friend of mine made it years ago.
Ihmhi
Your friend is a genius of the times. Truly, a luminary in animated giffery.
camtheman92
snake? SNAKE!?!?! SNAAAAAAKEEEE!!!!
rakghoul
AHHH COBRAS!!
ShinyLime
I'm a straight female and when I make my own characters on games, I always make them look hot as I can. You should see my Sims.
Flyndaran
I'm a straight man and prefer to make my females more realistic. Too many walk in ways that would snap human pelvises.
brossentia
I do the exact opposite. It pleases me to see two abominations fall in love.
ThisNameIsNotAboutYou
My skyrim character is a blonde, blue-eyed bimbo who walks round killing people for the nicest clothes she can find
SusanGoGetMyPants
Same. I dislike playing male characters too. I even have big boobed anime girls on the sleeves of my MTG cards.
HereticsAllOfYou
As a straight male, I do the same thing with male characters (well, not all the time, but most of the time).
Equinox13
Every game, including FPS, I do this. Why shouldn't I want to virtually go around looking hot in totally unrealistic clothes?
hamechi
my imvu's!
shank
I make mine look like what I wish I looked like, so most of them have red hair and they're tall. And strong. I want to be strong.
JustASmallTownMinnesotanImgurlLivingInALonelyWorld
I always make my female sims downright sexy. Big boobs, zero fat, and toned muscles with clothes that show it. I'm straight, I swear
MilesExpress999
Cool, good to know you represent all straight female girls.
saraherose
Haha!! From another straight female - story of my gaming life. +1000000
Bisonrouge
Thank GOD, i totally do the same. And for licking the muscle part, she couldn't be more right ^^
GozerTheGozerian
I do the same, though, I'm a lesbian. XD What bothers me
Not the outfit THE DAMN HEELS! WHY HEELS IN BATTLE?!
decemberfourth
i make them hot AND lesbian...and Im a mediocre looking straight female....
BlooPigeon
I feel bad doing this, so occasionally I give them some not-quite-bad-but-interesting trait like a bigger/angular nose or something.
Cerinna
Hey me too! I usually don't find the males in most video games hot, but the more mature ones, yes, definitely. Ezio was the best... :)
SilicaSurf
As a transgendered person I play female characters myself, though I rarely show much skin when I dress them; even in adult environments.
harmedgreen
Yep, female here, and I made my Skyrim look like heavymetal with all the mods I chose.
meettheegg
Same! There's nothing wrong with wanting to be "sexy."
poopjustpoopthatsall
Me too! Starting ESO, I made my character with the biggest boobs and ass I could. She is sexy and I love it.
auburnandgold
Yes. This. My Sims would be embarrassing to overzealous feminists.
Max4Z
as a straight male I also do make my characters good lookin I even go to that option where u can choose specificly the face structure option
Max4Z
dont care about muscles much though as I have nice face bone structure i tend to make my characters like that as well
ZeroNumerous
As a straight male: I always make my characters pretty. I spent two hours playing Fashion Souls to make my Dark Souls character pretty.
BlooPigeon
Straight chick: I did the same on my DS girl before realizing her walking animation/body type just doesn't look as cool in armor ):
ZeroNumerous
Oh man. The clipping is soo annoying. But I've got a silver knight leggings+dingy robe poncho that looks so cool when she's standing still.
ZeroNumerous
Case in point:
It looks much better standing still.
CakEttE
Also as a straight female playing WoW I make my transmogs the most skimpy ever! She's HOT!
CakEttE
On another note:
Wildstar, you can HIDE your entire wardrobe. :D Sexy Draconian.. purr purr
daragan
Hurray for bra-plate.
BlooPigeon
Meanwhile i'm the straight female over here with my badass male tauren druid dressed up in T4 gear and leaves...
Avatar720
As a bi guy, that just kinda... happens. >.> Although in my defence, Black Mageweave totally suits my SPriest (And she really pulls it off!)
CakEttE
I love the red version :D I have it on my mage
saraherose
As another straight girl WoW player, I do the same thing! It's even more fun to watch her kick some butt ha
CakEttE
My night elf DK:
:D
ZeroNumerous
As a former WoW player: I just wish you could add scars, so that the hunter's eyepatch I spent an hour getting didn't cover a healthy eye.
lurkerindisguise
Well, as any form of art, you don't make them ugly except for a reason (background story, vilain, horribles scars)
NexiKuro
"villain"
lurkerindisguise
Well, would you love to see GOR MORRLÄLK FIERCE ORKATUR WARRIOR, as gorgeous as thranduill ?
NexiKuro
So you're asking me to chose between more or less Thranduil? More, definitely more Lee Pace as Thranduil everywhere please.
lurkerindisguise
I would bath in pictures of him; but i don't see him playing freddy krueger
SparklingCockWaffle
Sometimes it's REALLY FUN. Usually on a game that requires an avatar and online play I make them look ridiculous weird. Because it's funny
doxpara1337
FRANCIS BACON IS ROLLING OVER IN HIS GRAVE
lurkerindisguise
It's a style, a grotesque style, but is own. For exemple i love H.R GIGER, even if he painted horrific things
fortysevenx
Straight female here as well. I confess I do that too, in every RPG I've played as a male character and I make them look good :)
BlooPigeon
Feels more comfortable playing as a guy. I'm a chick too but if I play one in games I just start feeling girly and self-conscious.
Starburstsareprobablymyfavoritecandyever
In the RPG characters I make (girls) I always end up making them super skanky because I don't dare to in real life :P
fortysevenx
I confess I've done that too :) But if I'm about to stare at someones backside for about 50 lvls then I'd rather it be a good looking one.
MassDebating
To be fair you don't see many middle-aged, fat men/women fighting battles throughout history, they do the commanding.
jsktrogdor
"Middle-aged" is a relative term. "Middle-aged" in Dark Ages Europe was like 17.
swatz
True, but most fighters don't look like the ones in games, and I think that is the point of her article.
pentatonix
Max Panye 3.
MassDebating
Max Panye, is that Kanye's new name? Haha nah but I was meaning irl
SoaringMuse
The main characters in games need no commanding b/c they're usually boss at what they do.
MassDebating
Yeah I know, surprisingly the protagonist is good at stuff
Gnawms
Are you saying there will be a fat protagonist in a game about the same time that your rescue helicopter is made of chocolate?
ShadowXII
General Tullius of Skyrim is a good example.
MassDebating
I'm talking real life mate
ShadowXII
Yeah, and I'm agreeing with you and attaching a reference.
AuxiliaryScarecrow
I've another interpretation. The commander is the player. The fighter is romanticized. Then the fighter is sexualized to sell better.
MassDebating
as have bitchin' abs/boobs/ass/whatever
AuxiliaryScarecrow
Well, I guess romanticizing encompasses sexualization.
MassDebating
Basically, I just look at it as video games give you a release into a world where you can do things that are not possible in real life such
AuxiliaryScarecrow
I agree wholy. I was afraid some did not understand.
MassDebating
Probably, but there are parents that let their young children play 18 rated games and then complain about video game violence...
AnAfterImage
There are a few games that feature them though. They aren't left out at least.
hermionejeangrangerweasley
http://imgur.com/WP63MwW Auron (FFX) is a hottie - middle-aged badass...
janeyhearts
Was just thinking of him and Sir Jecht!
hermionejeangrangerweasley
Oh yes! how could I forget!? There's quite a few "old guys" in FF...
Beepity
"Always beware an old person in a profession where most die young."
hermionejeangrangerweasley
I googled that because I wanted to know who said that... is that your personal quote?
Beepity
No, I saw it on a drawing of an old pirate with one hand. Artist unknown, and I lost track of it :/
AnAfterImage
I liked him much more than Tidus to be honest.
TheThirdOption
That's not hard.
hermionejeangrangerweasley
Me too!!! Tidus was annoying.
TheCutestSloth
http://i.minus.com/iYhfgAhpsIdEJ.gif
AnAfterImage
Well feature in main character positions I mean.
MassDebating
I meant like in real life, but yeah I guess you do see them, to me gaming is about being in a fantasy world as something you aren't whether
MassDebating
it be stronger/smarter/better looking/thinner anything really
AnAfterImage
Exactly. So its why women in games don't bother me. It's a fantasy, nothing more.
MassDebating
Exactly, I don't see people going "Oh my god it's so unrealistic that you can fly in *some game" plus how else are coders gonna get action
AnAfterImage
That last part is kinda funny when they talk about "Accidentally" making Lara Croft's breasts big and then showing the office it.
AnAfterImage
(Yeah, sorry, took your first comment in a different tone I think.)