Videogames: Introduction - Women in videogames

Women and videogames: blog tasks

Work through the following blog tasks to complete this introduction to women in videogames.

Part 1: Medium article - Is Female Representation in Video Games Finally Changing?

Read this Medium feature on whether female representation in videogames is finally changing. Answer the following questions:

1) How have women traditionally been represented in videogames?

In videogames, women are traditionally represented sexually and are presented to be objectified. 
2) What percentage of the video game audience is female?

42% of the video game demographic is female.

3) What recent games have signalled a change in the industry and what qualities do the female protagonists offer?

Recent popular games like Tomb Raider, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, The Last of Us, Dragon Age: Inquisition, and The Walking Dead series have female protagonists, co-protagonists or otherwise important characters. These games were all released within the past 5 years. These games each have characters who are role models for real women, because they are strong, independent, intelligent, willful and compassionate.

4) Do you agree with the idea that audiences reject media products if they feel they are misrepresented within them?

Yes, I agree that the audience will reject media products if they feel they are misrepresented within them. As an example, if in a game, females were misrepresented, I still think they would play the game however they wouldn't be happy with the way they've been represented.
5) What does the writer suggest has changed regarding recent versions of Lara Croft and who does she credit for this development?

"Brianna Wu’s 2015 article in Polygon details how Crystal Dynamics saved Lara Croft by making some big changes in the reboot Tomb Raider (2013) and its sequelRise of the Tomb Raider (2015)."
Part 2: Tropes vs Women in Video Games – further analysis

Visit Anita Sarkeesian’s ‘Tropes vs Women in Video Games Series 2’ YouTube playlist and watch ONE other video in the series (your choice - and feel free to choose a video from season 1 if you prefer). Write a 100 word summaryof the video you watch:

Title of video: Tropes vs Women in Video Games - Season 2  

100 word summary: 

To start with, Sarkeesian talks about Assassins Creed and how all the assassins in the game are males. When questioned about why they couldn't add females to the game, they responded "It's double the animations, it's double the voiceovers". 2 years later, Ubisoft has created a female assassin. Assassins Creed isn't the only game with this, Fifa took 20 years to bring out female teams which they did in Fifa 16. It took 10 years for Call Of Duty to introduce female soldiers. However, there are still games such as Battlefield who haven't still introduced female characters. Although some games haven't introduced females to it, there are still games such as Hitman which are sexualising women. Sarkeesian says that if females are presented as straight forward, normal and believable, players have no problem believing it.

Part 3: Anita Sarkeesian Gamespot interview

Finally, read this Gamespot interview with Anita Sarkeesian of Feminist Frequency and answer the following questions:

1) What reaction did Anita Sarkeesian receive when she published her videos on women in videogames? You can find more information on this on Sarkeesian’s Kickstarter fundraising page.

In regards to her videos about her feminist frequency project, she received a lot of negative feedback and hate.

2) How does Sarkeesian summarise feminism?

Sarkeesian summarises feminism as the following: "Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings."

3) Why do stories matter?

Stories matter because they change the way people might view certain issues. 

4) How does Sarkeesian view Samus Aran and Lara Croft (the two protagonists from our upcoming CSPs)?

Sarkeesian views Samus Aran and Lora Croft in a both positive and negative manner. Sarkeesian clearly likes the idea of the two females being the main characters and the protagonists in the game as it is subverting traditional stereotypes in the media. On the other hand, Sarkeesian see's this as negative because the female characters are clearly sexualised and objectified.

5) How has the videogame landscape changed with regards to the representation of women?

There has been a clear increase in females being in video games. Games such as Fifa have introduced a female mode with female football teams which was in 2016. There are many more games such as Assassins Creed, Call Of Duty who have also introduced females as well.

6) Why are Mirror’s Edge and Portal held up as examples of more progressive representations of women?

Women are presented as more strong and dominant and less violent. Both the protagonists are females. The camera angle for the first person shooter style of the game doesn't sexualise women a lot.

7) What are the qualities that Sarkeesian lists for developers to work on creating more positive female characters?

Overcoming personal flaws. Not tied directly to their sex appeal. Some emotional depth and expression.

8) What is the impact of the videogames industry being male-dominated?

The impact of the videogames industry being male-dominated is that everything is seen from a males perspective even though females are in videogames now. Females are seen from a male perspective therefore, they are objectified and highly sexualised for the males pleasure.

9) What did Sarkeesian hope to achieve through her ‘Tropes vs Women in Video Games’ series?

Sarkeesian hopes to promote media literacy and also ties to make people more aware of the issues surrounding video games. 

10) What media debates did Sarkeesian hope to spark with her video series?

Sarkeesian hopes that her YouTube series creates recognition and makes people aware of what is already happening about women in games.