The Final Fantasy XV Boys’ Club: Is It a Problem?

Final Fantasy XV will have an all-male party. Should this be upsetting? Or is it a relative non-issue? I'm leaning towards the latter. The question to consider here is this: while we obviously need more great female characters headlining games, does that mean games with male playable characters should be shunned? All this is discussed through the link

[NovusTerminus]

I think it's funny that XV is a problem, however X-2 was not sexist for an all female cast...

[scark92]

Well Said.

[Bansai]

so true.

no problem at all.

[LeShin]

VERY well said!

[cogniveritas]

That's a good point but X-2 took plenty of heat for looking like a girly game. I did find it to be enjoyable and even liked the faster paced combat system than in FFX.

The question I would have is what kind of characters are these. Lightning was more Alpha in FFXIII-3 than any of the male leads in recent FF history. Can we have a male lead who is not just a random kid, or depressed and emotionally/mentally damaged. Now that I think about it, those kind of guys are usually just chilling like Balthier & Auron,

But just as I can appreciate playing an all female team, I'm sure there are females who wouldn't mind a all male cast as long as they have interesting personalities. A quote from the article by Tabata says

"Speaking honestly, an all-male party feels almost more approachable for players. Even the presence of one female in the group will change their behaviour, so that they’ll act differently. So to give the most natural feeling, to make them feel sincere and honest, having them all the same gender made sense in that way…The world might be ready to see the curtain lifted on what boys do when girls aren’t around, when they come out of the tent all prim and proper. That’s kind of the idea behind it… we think, male or female player, that everyone will feel a certain connection and bond with the four characters."

Although I disagree with the first sentence of the quote, the rest makes sense. L

[Lord_Sloth]

X-2's heat was from it's seemingly different style, not the fact that it had an all female cast. The trailer even looked more like Charlie's Angels and nothing like a Final Fantasy game.

[ThunderPulse]

FFXIII-1/LR had Lightning as the main character.

[SoulMisaki]

How often do you see an all female cast in anything? Not very often.

Also, I would like to point out that there's no such thing as reverse sexism - where females are 'sexist' against males - as females are not in the same positions of power and acceptance as men are on a regular basis.

They cannot be sexist.

However, they can be Misandrist - a word used for specific individuals or ideals that advocate the hate of men, by people regardless of gender - but not sexist.

In any case, I highly doubt that X-2 was Misandrist either.

On topic though, having an all male cast in FF13 is not blatantly sexist, but it doesn't exactly promote equality, especially with Cidney's revealing outfit.

We'll just have to see how they include women and write them in the story before casting that ballot.

[NoctisPendragon]

Making a game is getting harder and harder and more limited also.
They do what they want with thier game and you do what you want with your money.

[areisul]

"Females can't be sexist!" "WAIT WHY ARE PEOPLE ANGRY WITH ME"

You're an idiot, don't be surprised if people treat you like an idiot.

[UmbrellaBlimp]

It's always weird when people reply to Disagrees.....

Kind of sad too.

[raWfodog]

Since you're concerned about your 'disagrees', I thought I'd point out that you may be getting them because of your generally inaccurate comparison between a sexist and a misandrist.

While its true that sexism generally occurs against women, a sexist is ANYONE who is prejudiced or discriminates based on a person's sex or gender. So yes, women can very well be sexist against men. A woman saying 'men are not good with babies' is a sexist statement.

Misandry is a much more extreme concept involving hatred against men and is very much different from sexism which just groups sexes into stereotypical roles.

Don't believe me? Read this for a better understanding.

https://poisonedwell.wordpr...

[Lasombra]

Sexism is sexism. Any person is capable of it regardless of gender.

[Spotie]

I came here to say exactly that. No one said a word when three girls were the entire cast, and they saved the world. Hell, Serah and Lightning took leads in the XIII saga, and it was all okay.

But XV has an all-male party, and there's even a question?

WHY????

[Godmars290]

Because the franchise has had female characters, the prior "trilogy" featured Lightning FFS, this shouldn't be a big deal.

That said, the basic limited diversity of the character types, the overall generic design, speaks of bigger creative issues with the game.

[johndoe11211]

What?!?!?

[cogniveritas]

I think he's asking which one has the personality and isn't generically emo? I think it's the blond guy.

[Irishguy95]

From the dialogue so far, none of them are emo. You guys have no idea what you're talking about :/ thats all I see, I keep seeing the word emo thrown around and that the characters are similar...but like...they aren't...at all

Edit- Ah sure its been the same for ages, same people comment stating incorrect information. Like they haven't even looked at the game. This is probably the first FF were 'Emo' doesn't even come close to the characters personalities.

[Godmars290]

They're generic *Because*:
- They all dress in black.
- They all look like they just walked off the cover of GQ.
- Most importantly: it doesn't matter what weapons they have/use. Even/especially the prince who is his own one-man combo.

And the last has been especially true for the last three direct, FF10 to FF13, entries in the series.

Waka's volleyball was literally *THE* most leathal/effective weapon in FF10.

Edit:
Call me dumb all you want. But please, try to better/eloquent job of it.

[scark92]

It will possibly tie in with the story, so why not wait til the game releases to see if it is a problem.

[stragomccloud]

Probably not. Final Fantasy has a history of strong female characters. This will just be the first all male cast since the original game.

[dotwithshoes]

My question is, Why do we need more female characters headlining games? Why does it matter? Let people be creative and make what THEY want to make, it's their game after all.

[ShaunCameron]

It matters, because some people think they're entitled to what someone else worked for and it isn't fair that the person get to enjoy the rewards of his work while they're left to do without.

Now, to answer the headline, no. It is not a problem. Girls are free to make their own girls club. It's not the boys' problem that girls didn't have the acumen, the intelligence, the work ethic, etcetera to consider the idea and do likewise. To suggest that girls should be included in boys spaces sounds pretty condescending implying that girls can't achieve anything on their own.

[LeShin]

.

[Ilovetheps5]

I see no issue with the cast. I don't think you should go out of your way to add in a female character. Add whatever makes the most sense to the developer.

[Activemessiah]

No problem at all... the same way I had no problem with X-2 all females.

[loganbdh]

No its not a problem, opinion pieces are...

[midnitebacon]

Opinion pieces that try to interject "political" views are a problem. It's a game shouldn't it be fun no matter who is headlining? I say let the developers make what suits the story they're trying to convey best. The game hasn't been released yet and some people are trying to drag it through the mud.

[360ICE]

More or less exactly agree with this. More female lead characters in gaming would always be nice, but attacking a specific game for having an all-male cast seems wrong. Particularly when we're talking about a franchise that's just released three games with female leads and one game where you can choose.

[goldwyncq]

If you have a problem with that, then you're the one who's being sexist.

[DawginTow1]

Slightly off-topic, but I like looking @ girls more than dudes :P

[SaveFerris]

What is the big deal if there are no female characters in the party with Noctis? We do know there are female characters in the game and they are likely to stand out in their own right once they are introduced.

[Scissorman82]

I don't see how this is a problem. The story is about four close male friends going on what is a road trip essentially. This is the foundation the developers wanted to build on. In the past we've had a mixed male & female cast, casts with different species, an all-female cast, games where players can create their own character, so how would an all-male cast be a problem? If anything, the FF series is now diversifying it's portfolio by doing something it hasn't done before. And isn't that what should matter? Innovation? New ideas? New stories to tell? I swear, people will find fault in the silliest things. Leave these developers alone and let them tell the stories the way they want to.

[raWfodog]

Only feminists and the politically-correct crowd will have a problem with this, IMO. I'm honestly surprised that the LGBT community haven't spoken out as to why one of the male characters isn't overtly gay. I'm sick of hearing people complain about how some video game characters don't reflect today's society. I don't need political crap in my video games. My video games are supposed to be an escape from reality, not a re-assertion of an ideal society.

Let the video game developers tell the story that they want to tell and if we gamers don't like it, we'll vote with our dollars. Incidentally, I'm a black man and I also have absolutely no problem with there not being a black character on the team. But that's just my two-cents...

[stuna1]

I don't think it's a problem, but they could have added a female combatant. The same could be said for FFX/2.

[Tex117]

The director has said he did not include a women in the "group" because that was the story he wanted to tell. Sort of like guys on the camping trip. Guys on a camping trip is different from a co-ed camping trip. We all know this.

There is nothing inheriently wrong with that. Square has shown they have no problem including strong female leads (Terra, Celes, Lightening...etc.)

So yeah, I don't think it was because they thought the game would sell better with all guys or trying to exclude anyone.

[mugcostanza]

When are they releasing a game where there is an Asian, a gay, a transsexual, a black, a white, a Hispanic, a Muslim, as main characters? is this what people want it to come too?
writers can't make a game they want?

[underwaves75]

you cannot please everyone all the time...

[Gamer1982]

Gotta love how he starts off I dont think an all male cast is an issue.

Then why write the bloody article!

[TekKing]

There are bigger problems (like only being able to play as 1 character among numerous other downgrades). I'll be skipping this gay activist version of FF though.

[Tdmd]

Its not ideal, but not a problem either.

[alex7377]

its a game, devolpers shouldnt be forced to change their orignall ideas for eqaullity, its like sayying metroid should have more guys as main characters

[Kalebninja]

The problem isn't that its only guys, the problem was their reason "its more approachable" "they'd be less honest" "their behavior would change" I don't care if its all male but there is no diversity, their outfits are bland(I honestly hope they give us outfit options...), and they all have really chessy lines. Its seems less genuine and even silly. I really can't wait for 16 so we don't have to deal with this Nova crystalis fabu- whatever universe anymore. We'll get actual story's that don't revolve around crystals and have different types of intelligent species (besides moogles) like final fantasy should have.

[Adrian_v01]

Crystals have been a part of the FF lore since forever...
And not every FF has multiple races either... I dunno what you're talking about.

[Kalebninja]

7 had red 13.
9 had vivi and freya
10/10-2 had kimahri and at least one other race
12 had a whole load of races
11 and 14 don't even need explaining
I don't remember the others too much but I know they at least had diversity in characters.

And while crystals have always been in final fantasy (duh) they weren't always the main focus of the story like in the 3 nova crystalis games.
13 - fulfil our roles and turn to crystal
Type-0 - protect our crystal
15 - save our city and get the last crystal back.

Idk about you but I'm ready for something that doesn't involve L'Cie and crystals.

[KryptoniteTail]

Personally, I think good characters are more important than their genital configurations. That said, I personally like females in games. Fact is they're easy on the eyes and having one around is preferable than staring at some dudes for 40 hours.

Anyway, Square can tell the story they want to and we shouldn't bitch unless it sucks. Something doesn't suck because it doesn't pander to your tastes. However, gameplay is an issue and they do have an obligation to follow traditions to a rather close mark. This third person shooter posing as FF iis far more pressing than genitals.

Looks fun but I am still stunned a spinoff took the reigns for the main series...

[averagejoe26]

Third... Person... Shooter?

I know I shouldn't feed the trolls but at least make a better attempt.

[KryptoniteTail]

I agree, you should not feed the trolls. Square is trolling hardcore fans while feeding off the hype of casuals and loyalists alike. Any critical thinker who wants a traditional Final Fantasy (not rehash but TRADITIONAL) will not be pleased with XV. So yes, do not feed the trolls by buying FFXV.

Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

"Final Fantasy XV is an action role-playing game with third-person shooter elements."

"Nomura instructed his team to study third-person shooters for reference."

Sorry, but I am not trolling. I am not just making things up as you imply with your sarcastic "third...person...shooter ?" remark. Educate yourself, do the research or just, y'know, open your damn eyes and see that this FFXV could be any generic action game if they didn't remind you it's FF. Just because they throw familiar summon characters in doesn't make this FF. If I put Ifirit into the next CoD would it be FF? YOU'D probably think so.

I want to say this though, I can't deny it looks fun but it doesn't look like Final Fantasy. It's a good game like MG4 and RE5 were good games, but they weren't Metal Gear or Resident Evil in the traditional sense.

[averagejoe26]

First of all, you have not played any 3rd person shooter elements in FFXV.

Second of all, there WAS third person shooter elements in the original build. It has already been confirmed you cannot switch characters and Prompto's third person shooting has been removed from the game.

It's funny that everyone is hating on the new direction of the game, when the original is the one with the 3rd person shooter elements.

Do you want more food?

[KryptoniteTail]

FFXV does still retain TPS elements. I'm not going to argue with nobodies who can't bother to educate themselves and argue blindly. Have fun controlling your one character hiding behind walls to regenerate health in your realistic Final Fantasy. Face it. It's no more an RPG than God of War is. The only difference is God of War doesn't tell you in numbers how much damage you do, it's still an action game. Funny thing is, they had plans to make it a FPS without HUD so GoW was actually MORE of an RPG at that stage in planning.

I'm out. Looking forward to the PS4 FFVII rerelease, it's all we're getting from SE as far as jRPGs are concerned.

Seriously, anyone who wants to debate me should at least educate themselves on the FFXV development process. These clowns at SE actually considered turning it into a musical but Nomura was thankfully shut down. They've lost their directions and that's okay. It happens.

They were even scared the demo would make fans think it was a driving game LOL. There was no fear of that kind with any other FF title. They didn't fear players would mistake FFX as anything other than a beautiful swan song for the series.

[Whitefox789]

Why should it matter if it is an all male cast for the players party? It's how the story was written it wouldn't make any difference if they swap genders the story would still be the same.

https://www.youtube.com/wat...