Big Topic: A Video Game Portrait of a Woman

Within many societies there is some foreshadowing or unwanted recognition of Sexism. Sexism is a biased view on what a specific sexuality or gender should be or can achieve in this case, woman. This social stigma is heavily portrayed in many of the gaming community. Although they may vary from their attitude, realism and offensive tone most video games have at least one character that portrays one of the two disrespectful and ignorant assumptions of a woman’s identity. The first is associated as the “Damsel in Distress” whilst the latter is known as “Sexual Items”.



The silky smooth priestess.......Yuna!

“Damsels in Distress” are pathetic, ‘head-over-heels’ over-feminine woman, that usually need to be rescued or saved by the normally male player which portrays their apparent insecurity and helpless nature that they are assumed to possess. For instance, Princess Peach of the Super Mario series dresses in frolicking pink outfits, has a ridiculous high pitched over-feminine voice and in each game, is kidnapped and rescued by Mario. Although, they usually hint towards a perverted context that many ‘impressionists’ (artists who re-create something/someone through painting, music, etc in their own way) like to explore with. For example, Yuna from the Final Fantasy series (X and X-2 specifically) is in many impressionists artwork however, they design her in a vulgar, obediently sexual matter that offends the creator, voice actor and woman in general.

The Infamous Sex Symbol....Lara Croft!

Furthermore, “Sexual Items” are essentially modelled, big breasted woman who have no unattractive features as they are solely there for male arousal. These ‘gals’ commonly appear in action and adventure games. For instance, Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider series is heavily showcased as a sexual model. This is shown throughout all of her games, specifically the upcoming reboot where she is covered in scars/rips in her clothing. Though, not all of these models wear vulgar costumes or over-impressive outfits yet they portray a darker, ‘under-belly’ tale. For example, in Deus Ex: Human Revolution, when the main character travels to Hong Kong, he meets several prostitutes at a bar. These prostitutes are dancing with their ‘masters’ and being treated as of slave behaviour which is unpleasant and unsettling for many as it showcases that these woman are inferior and behave in a sluttish manner to get whatever they desire.

The famous woman in disguise....Samus!

However! There is a third portrait that is hardly ever showed in Video Game history, known as “Independent Woman”. These Independent Women are the courageous intelligent informative ones, that don’t have to be ‘drop-dead-gorgeous’, ‘heavenly kind’ or anything of the previous ‘identities’ as they have their own way of communicating and connecting with a female audience. Most Independent Woman are unknown until a specific scene in a game or they behave more masculine than over-feminine so players forget to notice their individualism. For instance, many didn’t believe that Samus of the Super Metroid series was in fact a girl. Players were shocked when they finished one of the Metroid titles in which Samus unveiled her helmet to reveal lush long blond hair that would only belong to a female. It was then that players started aspiring to play as a courageous, ‘independent woman’.

As you overlook these three different aspects of the portrayal of Woman in video games, I advise you to overthink, which identity do you see your mother, sister, daughter, girlfriend or best friend as?