Women are being ‘hyper-sexualised’ in video games: Australian academic

Hideo Kojima’s recent decision to sexualise Quiet, a female character appearing in the forthcoming Metal Gear Solid 5 game, has prompted a prominent Australian academic to issue a reality check to the industry.

Kojima was originally quoted as saying he wanted to create a more ‘erotic’ character when Quiet, a female protagonist in MGS5, appeared scantily in ‘combat’ gear.

He later clarified that he meant ‘sexy’ – but does that make Kojima’s intentions any better or worse?

Australian gender studies expert Dr Liz Conor from Monash University says no.

[PoSTedUP]

they always have, and a lot of guys like it. hell women in the real world over sexulize themselves, and in a lot of movies. they often over sexulize men too, you think we're all good looking with muscles? but somehow men do dont give a d**n. i think women need to focous on themselves and fellow women who somehow love to go to clubs and dress like prostitues, tv movies and reality shows wouldnt have anything to do with that now would it? i think that is the more important issue other than giving a guy some eye candy opposed to actually imbeding it in the youth of the girls that follow their favorite star or show and actually dress inappropriatly in real life.

[Bigpappy]

May be some one should tell Australia, that women are naturally sexy to men. They is nothing They can do to change that. Even Muslin rapped in all that cloth and head tied down, still look sexy. When they walk they still stitch those hips and they are still gentle and have sweet voices. Trying to prevent sex is a loosing undertaking.

[AgentSmithPS4]

Liz - "We all need to commit to an absolute rejection of all forms of violence, and then a more critical stance towards any representation that sexualises violence."
This little she-Hitler would ban books, games, and all other forms of imaginary violence if she had the power.
Liz - "But whether the gaming industry as a whole could survive under these demands is doubtful."
You live in a country where women in their own homes are NOT allowed to defend themselves with a gun if a rapist, robber, murderer, etc breaks in, maybe you should fix that before you worry about imaginary problems? You should go visit some rape victims and tell them you're protecting them from video games and see how they respond.

Women dress a certain way because they consciously or subconsciously know it can accomplish something.
Have you been to a Walmart lately, it's almost like going to the beach. Women wear tops that expose a big amount of cleavage, they wear tiny booty shorts or tight fitting spandex that leaves nothing to the imagination, etc.

Women can choose what to wear so why can't an artist choose to dress his game character however he wants? Fools are all too eager to play dictator.

[BattleAxe]

"Women are being ‘hyper-sexualised’ in video games: Australian academic"

Cool story bro.

[Murad]

Totally agree with everything you said. That's why when articles like Dragon Crown being sexist comes out, I tend to just downright ignore the review. It's not talking about the game, it's talking about what the game could represent.

[ChrisW]

Yeah, but there's one thing that really gets me about Quiet... It's that, face-wise, she seriously looks like trailer park trash!

[JohnnyBadfinger]

That's how I like my women "hyper" and "sexual"...
Now to show the Missus this and see whether or not I get slapped loo

[ziggurcat]

Story quality? WTF? Like this website? No.

[cyguration]

It's hard for SJW websites to become famous on N4G and push their agenda; the core crowd does not sway easy.

[Jughead3416]

IMO, people need to chill out. People get way too offended over little stuff. If you don't like something about a game, then just don't buy it. Everything isn't for everyone. GTA V has prostitutes that you can pick up on the street and based on the amount you pay her, she performs acts on you. Don't hear too much controversy over this.

[Shadowstar]

We used to hear a lot about GTA's prostitutes. GTA has actually toned that down since 3. Anyway, the GTA series has other issues that get play-- like the fact that there's never been a female protagonist.

[cyguration]

Toned it down?

Uh, sorry bro.. they toned it up. They had some straight up doggy-style sex in GTA V and you could get a BJ in GTA IV. Not to mention all the sex you could have in The Ballad of Gay Tony... that was off the hook with the sexy-time.

[Shadowstar]

@cyguration: I'm not a bro. :) Also, I was meaning more the sex-violence aspect. It wasn't really worth it to have sex with the prostitute and then run her over like it was in GTA3. (I can't comment about GTA5). People aren't complaining about sex per se, they're complaining about sexy for the sake of sexy.

[AgentSmithPS4]

umad bro, u gonna do violence bro? :P.

I wish someone would come up with a great adult verification system for games so we'd see less of these anti-freedom manifestos. Quit treating adults like children...

I hope this "Quiet storm" inspires people to make the most violent and sexual games ever ;). I just hope they make sure to have the women and men do bad things to women and men. Is PETA upset about the COD dogs or BF4 yet?

[ilovefatgirls]

as if men aren't turned into sex objects on a daily basis..

[DragonKnight]

Isn't it funny that most "gender studies" academics are women?

It's misandrist. Men aren't equally represented or paid in the Gender Studies field. /s

[level 360]

True..

..and so is the opposite sex..

..also the other sex.

[Bimkoblerutso]

It's true. But "misogyny" has become such a hot-button issue that no one really pays any attention to anything else...

[GiantEnemyCrab]

So women use sex all the time to get the things they want and then complain about hyper-sexualised females in video games? Ah, you birds sure are sneaky. You want to play it both ways.. I'm going to bet Dr. Liz is a lesbian or really unattractive.

[Shadowstar]

... I hope you are a troll. That is so effing offensive.

[cyguration]

You know what's ironic? Your comment would turn into a personal attack if what he said turned out to be true.

[NateCole]

Women use sex all the time?.WTF?.Sometimes i wonder if some of you have mothers or even sisters.

[KonsoruMasuta]

What about when Raiden was naked and had nothing to cover his junk but his hands?

What about when Liquid had no shirt in Alaska?

What about all the ass shots we got of snake?

Nobody is safe from sexy time!

[dragonyght]

you forgot kratos

[SugarSoSweet]

It's different because men aren't objectified sexually and when they're it's usually by OTHER men not women

[1OddWorld]

You have another ignorant person here. Freedom of expression in any art form is a good thing and that includes games. You don't like the art styling of Quite then don't buy it and shut your mouth you ignorant twat, and be glad when it comes time for you to create your vision no one can stifle your creativity.

Misogynistic my ass its a game in a future or past time where social climates have changed. Dystopian movies, comics and books always take the human species back to there most primal selves. I'm sorry you will be reduced to no more than what you are worth at face value and journalism wont be a man or woman's strong suite. You will be fighting for your life like the rest of us. You will either be a master or a slave. Depends on your physical and mental attributes. Using ones body to open a door or two to stay alive will be the norm again.

[Razputin]

This is crap already.

You go outside and woman compete to look better every day.

Like Ryan Goseling or w/e the hell his name is said in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Men have won the sex war once women started doing pole dancing as exercise.

Women try to be as sexy as they can to get attention FROM MEN. Thats it. Plain and simple. They want cocks in them just as much as we want to put it in them.

We can turn on the TV right now and see a commercial with nothing but woman in the skimpiest bikinis and lingerie. So why complain over something virtual?

[NihonjinChick]

Although I do agree that this debate needs to stop, you are wrong to assume all women who dress up only do it to please and get attention from men.

[Hicken]

I agree with you, but I also sort agree with him.

Not that women necessarily dress up to attract men, but in that they DO dress up in ways that WILL attract men. They could be doing it for themselves, or for other women, or just because.

The reason behind it doesn't really matter. The important part is that it's as much a part of real life as it is a part of games. And they do it of their own volition.

[Lord_Sloth]

And it is equally ignorant to dress in small, revealing outfits, complain when they're looked at, and complain about other women doing the same.

If you turn yourself into a sex-show you've no right to complain when viewed as such. Want to be treated with respect? Dress like you have some dignity. Dress like a tramp you'll be viewed as 1.

[NateCole]

Do your sisters or mother do that?.Do you have any idea how offensive what you just wrote?.

[gamer7804]

Ahhhhhh. Please make all these rediculous articles stop

[chrissx]

Most women love to look sexy not just for men but themselves also. This rly getting baseless

[Inception]

Why women can't look sexy but in the same time can kick some ass?

Just look at Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell. Yes, she's a cyborg with busty body and often wearing clothes that show lots of her skin (well sometimes she's naked too). But she also a squad leader for anti-terorrist division, a hacker with super class level, and she can kicked terorist ass any day. I don't mind to see more women characters like Motoko / Quiet in video games.

[KonsoruMasuta]

The difference is Ghost in the Shell is Japanese. We Japanese don't have the closed minded view of sexuality that people in the west have.

[AgentSmithPS4]

Don't you have pixelated penises and vaginas in your adult movies?

I'm not against nudity, sex, or violence but I find it strange that here in the USA you can show torture, shootings, beheadings, etc on broadcast TV at 9pm but you can't show any nudity.

It's disturbing how easily people are controlled by those with power.

[KonsoruMasuta]

Well, the pixelated penises thing is different. Actual porn, penetration, and sex is a whole different ball game than some pixels in a skimpy outfit.

Yes, it is true that genetalia is pixelated in Japan and that pubic hair was unacceptable up until about a couple of years ago.

But unlike western porn, Japanese porn does not focus mainly on the act of penetration so it really doesn't matter.

What I mean is, Japanese view on sexuality in certain areas is not as bad as western areas.

[Inception]

I'm glad that God made a country called Japan \^o^/

[TheHybrid]

And men aren't? Show me a game where the main character isn't a giant muscle bound freak

[LordDhampire]

of course this is coming from australia, they are so censored its rediculous....they won't even release gory games in the country.....Australia needs to grow up

[NateCole]

This needs to stop. I like looking at sexy women in video games like any warm blooded male. It does not make me a pervert and i am really tired of people trying to tell me so.

I have 4 sisters and i love them to bits and they have no issues seeing sexualized women in games i play the same way i have no issue with them having topless male actor posters they have in their bedrooms.

When did appreciating beautiful/sexy women become bad?. When did fantasy become real?.

Enough of this shit.

[palaeomerus]

What happens in games is not real. There are no people to be hurt in games. There are no crimes in games. It's all fake. Trying to prevent bad things in something fake is ABSOLUTELY STUPID. Also bad taste is not a crime.

[Pintheshadows]

THIS ONLY HAPPENS IN VIDYA GAMES!!!!!

Give me strength. It happens everywhere.

[ibrake4naps]

So scrumptious, I'd eat the corn from her poop

[redcar121]

But its ok when Hollywood do it or vevo or mtv why have you not mentioned them another bad post trying to drag the gaming community down go for the big dogs first

[Knushwood Butt]

I couldn't really give a rat's ass what Quiet wears; I'm still going to buy the game.

As for the design: a bikini and some ammo belts seems pretty unoriginal to me. Like minimal effort went into it. Still, the series has been going on for years and it has seen all kinds of designs, so at least it's a bit unique in that context.

Was there any outcry about Emma from MGS2? No...

[theoriginaldon]

WELL I HOPE I CAN PICK HER UP WITH THE HORSE OR TANK OR JEEP AND DO AS I PLEASE WITH THE NEW FOX ENGINE :)