GTA 5 Doesn't Include Female Protagonist Because 'Being Masculine' is Key to Story

GR: "Masculinity is a central theme in the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 5."

[Yi-Long]

... it would just be a nice change of pace, a bit more original, and I feel when the writing is good enough, gender (or race, sexuality, whatever) really shouldn't matter in games like these.

Women can be cool, tough, stupid, aggressive, just like men.

[GarrusVakarian]

I agree, a fourth tomboy-ish sort of female would have been a cool addition to the team in my opinion.

[Anthotis]

I'm glad Rockstar doesn't concern itself too much with rubbish like equality.

[Kingnichendrix]

Even If they did that imagine how the media would react if you could make the girl get a prostitute or rather go in a strip club, they would just complain and say you're over sexualising the female image etc. Rockstar can't win. Mark my words to this is not the only issue people committing crimes will blame it on the game.

[GmIsOnPt360]

True but this whole pushing of equality in things where its not an issue is just silly. far more guys like shooters and action stuff, thats just a fact. go to any movie, gaming tourney etc its dominated by men. that doesnt mean women are excluded or cant like this thing but on avg you market towards your demographic.

[Shane Kim]

Not only that, but never have I seen a chick being a street hustler like Franklin or Michael. A woman protagonist in a game like this would feel out of place. The only place it would make sense is if they changed Trevor, couse all chicks are psychopatic, bipolar, borderline potential murderers.

[Rainstorm81]

Well they could always do a Bonnie and Clyde / Natural Born Killers esque story

That's the only way i could see a female protagonist in GTA.....other wise it would be forcing it for the sake of equality

[zeksta]

Well the issue is.. The story would revolve around the Kitchen too much.

HAD TO SAY IT!

[ThatEnglishDude]

Urgh, I thought this horse was dead already. Even IF Rockstar included a female protagonist, there would have been complaints regarding how it is a poor representation of women and would have offended people in one way or another. That, and it would have just given the impression that Rockstar felt obligated to include a female protagonist just for the sake of appeasing a small, but loud, minority that get their panties in a twist over every little thing in todays world. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[LOGICWINS]

Well said.

[Ezz2013]

you know the so called "gaming media" this gen love to complain about any and every thing

[wannabe gamer]

yes and its gotten beyond old and pathetic.

[HammadTheBeast]

Saints Row added women, look how the media reacted to that.

[ThatEnglishDude]

The point is, Rockstar wanted to tell a story that focused around 3 male leads. It isn't a missed opportunity at all. It was a design choice put forth by the creative team at Rockstar. If they wanted to tell a story that centered around a female, they would have. Lord knows Rockstar are pretty edgy when it comes to pushing the boundaries with it's controversy. I would have thought there were far bigger things to get peoples pants in a twist. The fact that this is even a debate is totally bonkers. So because a game doesn't feature a female lead, we need to ask the developers and find the reasoning as to why. It's stupid, unnecessary and a complete waste of time.

[RE_L_MAYER]

Thats the stupidest excuse for not having a girl player I have ever heard

[DARK WITNESS]

Makes perfect sense to me :)

[IcicleTrepan]

That's like saying, hmm, Walter White should have been female. Why wasn't it? Well because Vince Gilligan wrote the story that way. So too bad, the story was written that way. Don't like it? Write your own story.

[ThichQuangDuck]

Wait and play the game's story before making that judgement. They could easily make a girl playable in DLC,but to force it into a story they crafted specifically would feel forced. The story is about the American Dream and Bank Heist.

[TheDarpaChief]

What the hell is this, feminism month?

[Viper7]

Month? Make that a year..

[TheDarpaChief]

This crap needs to stop. I honestly want to spit in some of these peoples faces

[Mythicninja]

It's Grand theft Auto, not Grand theft Kitchen

[Scarface7]

best. comment. ever!! LolLol

[mafiahajeri]

When you say "women" it's not just a name it's the way they act. When you have a "women" that goes around killing cops, fighting mob bosses, drug trafficing etc .they cease to be a women. It would be a mis representation of what a women is.

This comment shouldn't be taken out of context. I enjoy female protagonists when they make sence, in games like Tomb Raider, lara can still be a lady and still do what she does. In GTA that's not possible without compromising what a women really is. You want to go and make a Tom-boy main character and it's gonna be stupid. Women gangsters are not cool they look awkward, speak awkwardly and are just disturbing to look at...

Anyway they day a female is the protagonist is the day I stop playing GTA...

Have them in the game like that Cuban chick that gave you missions in the beginning of GTA IV, she was alright but don't make them the main character...

[BattleTorn]

It's comments like yours that are the reason these type of feminist article are taking issue with video games, and their audiences.

"what a women is." "what a women really is."

This is what they are up against.

Did you miss the memo on what disciminating on gender is?

I hate to be the PC-police, but these (admittely stupid) articles brings out some very ignorant stuff out of us in the gaming community.

Seriously though, I'd love to see you explain to a real woman how doing - insert masculine activity - would make her not "what a woman really is." And see her facial reaction.

[zeksta]

So you're trying to say that mass murders, robberies and even the casual street killing or two is what a woman can also do? Forgive me if I'm wrong here but our society is almost based around females being the more sensible ones and if something nasty is done, it's generally psychological or even a small backhanded insult. I'm sure many a female are capable of murder, but you tell me, if you were a woman in the world of Grand Theft Auto would it not simply feel out of place to play as one?

[BattleTorn]

"So you're trying to say that [violence] is what a woman can also do?"

*gaps* Yes.

I don't know what kind of "Gender-glasses" you're wearing, but yes, women are capable of the-same-as-men.

Does it mean I think GTA *should* or *has to* have a female protagonist - definitely not.

[Fez]

"That's not possible without compromising what a women really is". If by this you mean women can't be bad then that is such a stupid statement. Far too general. There are some women who are awful people. And they don't have to be a tom-boy main character. You just have to look at the history of GTA games and some of the female characters you come across.

Catalina sticks out as a crazy one and could easily have replaced Trevor in his role. Either would be awesome to play. Then there's Asuka Kasen from GTA III who was co-leader of the Yakuza. Not at all a tom-boy, really cool, still feminine but you could tell by the way she was written that you wouldn't mess with her. Don't see what would be so wrong about playing as either of these characters.

Then look at other games like The Last Of Us where Joel the burly man with beard is taking orders from Tess, the girly one with the hair. Nothing wrong with that dynamic, written really well and a Tess-like character again would be no more or less fun to play than a male Tess-like character.

I don't care that there are no female protagonists in the game. Just pointing out that it could easily be done and saying you wouldn't even give GTA the chance to create a female protagonist is severely limiting Rockstar's creativity.

[wannabe gamer]

White Knights Unite (then go jump in a pit)

[Infamous298]

Feminists are hypocrites, first, they will say that rockstar are sexist for not adding a female, but if they add a female character, they will say that rockstar are misognyists etc..

[sonic_boom]

Here's a good take on why the sexism in video games debate is so heated and perpetual: http://www.fateofthegame.co...

[SeraphimBlade]

You know what, from what I've seen of the characters, that DOES make a lot of sense.

If GTA IV was about failing to live up to the image of the American Dream, V could be about failing to live up to the popular images of masculinity. Michael should be a better father; Trevor should have more power over his life; the one who's name I'm forgetting should support his girlfriend more, etc. It's a story where the characters are built around the themes and plot, and that's understandable.

... though an expansion like GTA IV Episodes starring a woman wouldn't kill anybody. (except, you know, all the NPCS, because GTA)

[ThichQuangDuck]

Stop speaking logic you sexist. Characters built around story rather than demographics and public demand what are they some sort of game designers.

[tigertron]

You can play as a woman in the multiplayer, so it's ok.

[Arty84]

Exactly gta online will have its own missions anyway isnt that enough jeez

[RickHiggity]

Feminist frequency (I don't remember her stupid name) is going to have a bitch fit abouty this.

[ZombieGamerMan]

Seriously? Who freaking cares? Look GTA has male protagonists alright just leave it like that don't go on about how they should make a female lead instead just bitch that most new IPs only have male leads.

Seriously why are people getting up and arms over this moronic thing, don't think over it just let things be the way they are and STFU about them.

[ShaunCameron]

It's because reality and nature are out of step with their feelings and perceptions. A product of their spoiled upbringing and an education system in which equality >>>>>>>&g t;>>>>>> excellence.

[ZombieGamerMan]

apparently or else these people would whine over it.

[devilhunterx]

Maybe they should check out REAL AMERICAN WOMEN :)

[AllroundGamer]

you mean something like this? :) - https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.a...

[giovonni]

they should of at least, added a female character to the game, and had dedicated missions set for her. Just like they did in Bat Man Arkham City. You know, to add replay value

[Sketchy_Galore]

Please, pleeeeeeease let's not brew up a controversy about this. I can't take any more of the lazy journalists trying to get hits by seeking out controversy and the sheep who fall for it every time. If this becomes the new witch hunt after the MGS one ends I will honestly stop coming here, I just can't take it.