One
of the most polarizing issues in the gaming world currently is GamerGate and
the extreme opinions and arguments that it incites. Anita Sarkeesian’s video “Women
as Reward” sparked debate about whether or not Sarkeesian, in her criticism of
the games she discusses, would enjoy any video games. I do not necessarily
think that this is true, but I do think that there are ways to improve the way women are presented in games without changing gameplay itself. Her criticisms of the games she presented was the way
in which they presented sexual abuse, sexual violence, and otherwise
objectified women. These extra pieces of the game or achievements like the one
for violating Juliet’s consent in Lollipop
Chainsaw and looking up her skirt when she actively tries to block you are
not necessary to the game nor are they necessary for the enjoyment of the game.
These are bonuses, the reward Sarkeesian described them as, which while they do
not directly encourage the gamer to do these things in real life, they do alienate women from the gaming experience.
Even though Juliet is the protagonist of the game she is not given the power she deserves as a woman defeating hordes of zombies in mere seconds or surviving a massive zombie apocalypse but the fact that the gamer can violate her consent for an achievement is disempowering. While this achievement and the inclusion of only skimpy outfits takes away from that empowerment and instead adds a level of vulnerability that is not necessary and does not add to the character development of Juliet. Censoring the game is not necessary nor is it an answer to the issues surrounding GamerGate, but awareness is important in moving forward for the gaming community to creating a safe space for women in gaming.
Sarkeesian points out early in her video, “As always remember that it is both possible and even necessary to be critical of the media we enjoy.” This is a detail that I think is key to her arguments and how they can help the gaming world improve even if some of her ideas can be extreme or incite frustration. Although not everyone will agree with her, or if they do they may not agree with all of her ideas, it is important to be critical of every form of media to help it improve. I am reminded of the outrage against Fifty Shades of Grey when the film was announced as people argued that Christian Grey was sexually and emotionally violent and abusive. Criticism of literature and film have been around for many years but feminist criticism of video games has had an especially difficult time integrating into the gaming world. Feminist criticism of media is necessary to helping integrate the empowerment of women into these forms of entertainment. As our younger generations are growing up playing video games and learning from them it is essential that both boys and girls can see themselves in the characters they can play or interact with through gaming. Just like the problem based learning they do in game that improves their problem solving skills in everyday life they need empowering role models, whether it is the protagonist or a side character, to help them learn to become strong independent humans regardless of gender.
Some argue that Sarkeesian is too critical or focuses only on the worst examples in games where this is expected as the behavior or the content of the game. I argue that those are the exact reasons she needs to push as hard as she does and dive into the strongest examples. Just because this content is expected of or assumed to be in certain games does not mean that it needs to be for the game to exist. The games she uses in her examples are popular, well-known, and show some of the most problematic treatment of women in games. If the examples she used were more neutral, they would not make the strong impact that they do. The fact that she looks at these popular games actually helps show her point. If the sexual violence was taken out or the fetishized costumes were taken out people would still be playing these games because they are well made and people enjoy them. Taking this specific content out would not alter gameplay or enjoyment of the game, so moving forward, it would not diminish any games if they were to be created without this content. Adding some empowered women in and taking out objectification would not decrease or hinder gameplay but it would help women feel safer and more comfortable in gaming and becoming a part of the gaming community. This does not mean that current games need to change or censor themselves but instead asks that they become more introspective as they move forward and consider why this content continues to be so prevalent in gaming when it does not add to the gameplay. Through this there is the hope that over time they will begin to develop more games without women as rewards to help all gamers enjoy themselves, not just some.
Even though Juliet is the protagonist of the game she is not given the power she deserves as a woman defeating hordes of zombies in mere seconds or surviving a massive zombie apocalypse but the fact that the gamer can violate her consent for an achievement is disempowering. While this achievement and the inclusion of only skimpy outfits takes away from that empowerment and instead adds a level of vulnerability that is not necessary and does not add to the character development of Juliet. Censoring the game is not necessary nor is it an answer to the issues surrounding GamerGate, but awareness is important in moving forward for the gaming community to creating a safe space for women in gaming.
Sarkeesian points out early in her video, “As always remember that it is both possible and even necessary to be critical of the media we enjoy.” This is a detail that I think is key to her arguments and how they can help the gaming world improve even if some of her ideas can be extreme or incite frustration. Although not everyone will agree with her, or if they do they may not agree with all of her ideas, it is important to be critical of every form of media to help it improve. I am reminded of the outrage against Fifty Shades of Grey when the film was announced as people argued that Christian Grey was sexually and emotionally violent and abusive. Criticism of literature and film have been around for many years but feminist criticism of video games has had an especially difficult time integrating into the gaming world. Feminist criticism of media is necessary to helping integrate the empowerment of women into these forms of entertainment. As our younger generations are growing up playing video games and learning from them it is essential that both boys and girls can see themselves in the characters they can play or interact with through gaming. Just like the problem based learning they do in game that improves their problem solving skills in everyday life they need empowering role models, whether it is the protagonist or a side character, to help them learn to become strong independent humans regardless of gender.
Some argue that Sarkeesian is too critical or focuses only on the worst examples in games where this is expected as the behavior or the content of the game. I argue that those are the exact reasons she needs to push as hard as she does and dive into the strongest examples. Just because this content is expected of or assumed to be in certain games does not mean that it needs to be for the game to exist. The games she uses in her examples are popular, well-known, and show some of the most problematic treatment of women in games. If the examples she used were more neutral, they would not make the strong impact that they do. The fact that she looks at these popular games actually helps show her point. If the sexual violence was taken out or the fetishized costumes were taken out people would still be playing these games because they are well made and people enjoy them. Taking this specific content out would not alter gameplay or enjoyment of the game, so moving forward, it would not diminish any games if they were to be created without this content. Adding some empowered women in and taking out objectification would not decrease or hinder gameplay but it would help women feel safer and more comfortable in gaming and becoming a part of the gaming community. This does not mean that current games need to change or censor themselves but instead asks that they become more introspective as they move forward and consider why this content continues to be so prevalent in gaming when it does not add to the gameplay. Through this there is the hope that over time they will begin to develop more games without women as rewards to help all gamers enjoy themselves, not just some.
Sarkeesian points out early in her video, “As always remember that it is both possible and even necessary to be critical of the media we enjoy.”
ReplyDeleteIt surprises me how criticism of popular culture can incite so much passion and, at times, rage (then again, this may be the reason I am interested in thinking about these issues myself as a professor). The ideas expressed by Sarkeesian are in no way "new." She draws heavily on the work of feminist scholars like bell hooks, for example to ground her own observations. (and I know you recognize this). New media (social networks, video games, etc.) seem to be fertile territory for this kind of work in particular. It's important to ask why. To pause. To step back. To examine the social messages perpetuated by the media that we enjoy. But that's just it, right? Because we "enjoy" it--we are less open to others criticizing it. I experience this same student angst when I attempt to demonstrate "gendered" readings of Disney movies, for example. It's difficult to think objectively about the texts that "define" us. I'm so pleased to see you responding in this way in your blog. You make some very compelling arguments here--the kind that might support better games moving forward. I'm on board. Nice job Maddie.