An Open Letter to the Game Industry (Forwarded)

[roseembolism]

Over at the 20 Sided Women's Project, there is An Open Letter to the Gaming Industry, where a group of gamers make some complaints about how their gender is depicted and treated in the hobby. It's made a bit of a stir, here and there.

My thoughts? Things have improved in the last decade or so, but there is still huge room for improvement, especially in the way that women are depicted, both in game, and especially in art. The trope of "sexy useless female armor' for example, is pretty much a cliche, and has been for years.  And the discussions over this letter have revealed that there's still a large mix of misogyny and general cluelessness out there.

But what do you all think?

Comments

[palecur.livejournal.com]

Props where due: the art direction for 4E features a lot fewer chainmail bikinis, though the breastplates are still occasionally molded for display more than for protection.

An Open Letter to the Game Industry (Forwarded)

[roseembolism.livejournal.com]

There's still a lot of clubbing armor, but its better than 3rd. Edition.

A lot of what they're talking about comes from online gaming of course, There's a huge amount of sexism in portrayals, even in the better MMORPGs. Things like the exact same armor being bulky and intimidating for men, and turning into belly exposing, cleavage enhancing wear for women.

And then there's the Evony ad, which may actually be not as bad as the MMORPG ad that features a scantilly clad woman chained to a tree. There's exhibit 'A' for how far the industry has to go.