90°

Damsel in Distress: Part 3 of Tropes series discusses 'dude in distress'

The third installment of Anita Sarkeesian's Damsel in Distress video series explores the "dude in distress" mechanic, the use of ironic sexism in retro-inspired games and wraps up with a look at games that subvert the damsel in distress idea.

majiebeast4342d ago (Edited 4342d ago )

Dis gon be gud /popcorn

Beware of spoilers people she has no problem ruining game endings.

cleft54342d ago

Yeah the spoilers in the last video is why I am not going to continue watching the series. All the same, good luck to her.

DragonKnight4342d ago (Edited 4342d ago )

I'm watching this now and I can't tell you how many times I've literally had a look of derision on my face and said "Oh would you shut up."

*SPOILER FOR ANYONE THAT GIVES A DAMN ABOUT HER VIDEO*

She actually said that a fully dressed woman with boobs in an indie game is a problem but a nearly naked man with a bowtie in the same game is not because boobs is a stereotype and a nearly naked man isn't. She also connected replacing a female npc needing to be rescued with a dog needing to be rescued as a problem, likely because she feels it's a comment on the value of the woman.

I seriously can't help but have a permanent feeling of WTF with her.

**EDIT** When she gets to the part that she calls a "thought experiment," I swear she wanted to put in that scene that the Princess' name is Anita. You KNOW she wanted to do that.

HonestDragon4342d ago

"She even says that the "dude in distress" isn't a problem because it's not linked to a stereotype but the damsel in distress is. Yeah, because it's only disempowering to women. /s"

Yeah, that got me to thinking, "Did she just use a loophole?" She's essentially saying there that although the "dude in distress" CAN exist, it doesn't promote a trope against men. Then can she go and say that it still exists for women and still lingers the problem whereas for men it doesn't reinforce anything.

HonestDragon4342d ago

You just reminded me about that from the last video. It irks me so much when people don't warn about spoilers in their videos and articles. As for this latest video, she is just recycling the same stuff she mentioned before only adding that indie games use the trope, too. She does introduce the "dude in distress", but she then flips the script and basically says, "Oh, but it's not used as often". Three videos that repeat the same message. Not very productive in my opinion.

DragonKnight4342d ago

She even says that the "dude in distress" isn't a problem because it's not linked to a stereotype but the damsel in distress is. Yeah, because it's only disempowering to women. /s

0pie4342d ago ShowReplies(2)
Miscommunicative4342d ago

HOW DOES SHE ENJOY ANY GAME ? So much critiquing and ridiculously nit-picky examples. It's hilarious yet frustrating to see some of your favorite games reduced to just plots driven by female stereotypes.

DragonKnight4342d ago

She doesn't enjoy any games unless they star androgynous characters that she can name Anita.

Also, I love the part where she devalues two girls on her staff in the credits by calling them "the Intern."

Abriael4342d ago

She doesn't enjoy games. She does this to pursue a political agenda and gather personal visibility. It has nothing to do with games.

GenericNameHere4342d ago

I thought she doesn't play these games? Doesn't she just steal gameplay videos from YouTubers, steal things written in Wikipedia, and call it a day? Where did the money she got from her funding for this "project" go to? Buying lipstick and makeup to look good in this video? >:/

Gregard4342d ago

could not have said it better myself!

jollygoodchap84342d ago

This is garbage. Last video I ever watch from her. I thought this would be intelligent and thought provoking. I'm all about gender equality but this...wow. She left out a ton of games that had strong female leads.

DragonKnight4342d ago

"She left out a ton of games that had strong female leads."

Because that would be an accurate, balanced, truly critical analysis of video games like she describes. She's not about to do that because it leaves open the possibility that she's wrong. As we know from her disabling comments, ratings, and statistics, no one can ever make her look like she's wrong.

ZombieGamerMan4342d ago

So does she even get a lot of traffic or what then cause I don't see anyone who posts these types of videos and making sure no one can say jack about it as someone who has many if any followers

plmkoh4342d ago

@ZombieGamerMan

She doesn't need followers, she has her tens of thousands of dollars from Kickstarter to make these crappy videos. In fact she's only recently made ep 2 + 3 but ONLY because people were sending her hate mail after ep 1 she basically disappeared and didn't follow up on her promise of monthly episodes.

jessupj4342d ago (Edited 4342d ago )

Dragonknight said it well.

This is what a majority of feminists do. At first glance they might seem stupid, rapid and un reasonable, but they're smarter then they let on. They know dam well what the real facts are, but they omit a lot of information and even out right lie to further they're agenda.
Depending on their expertise depends on their agenda. For example, a feminist working in the domestic violence industry will keep peddling the same old tired trope that only women are victims and only men are perpetrators. A 2 min google search would tell you the real facts.

In Anita's case I think her agenda is to try to convince people how overtly sexist the games industry is, how it victimises the women that work in the industry, and how sexist the gamers are as well, but only the male gamers, of course any female gamers cannot be sexists. /s

Now of course all of that is BS, and Anita dam well knows this, but that won't stop hey trying to push her agenda. You can see she cherry pics, leaves out huge amounts of information and doesn't come to anything close that could be considered a balanced argument.

If I put this into essay format and submitted it to one of my teacher I would get a fail.

The sad thing is Anita isn't just some random blogger. She actually has some status in the feminist community, yet she comes out with this utter sh*t. Do any other feminist call her out? No. She is representing feminism in this way and doing so with the acceptance of the greater feminist community.

So affectively, this is what feminism is. Pushing known lies. Every single major argument the feminist community puts force I can completely dismantle with facts and good science.

And this is why I hate feminism and have no respect for anyone that is a feminist. If you identify yourself as a feminist, but believe in actual equality I don't consider you a feminist, I'd consider you a MRA more than anything else.

The sooner feminism dies the better.

PopRocks3594342d ago (Edited 4342d ago )

What the hell kind of a comment is this? I'm not one to defend the person who made this video either, but jeez, your comment is unbelievably misinformed!

Feminism is about EQUALITY!

"This is what a majority of feminists do."

No, it isn't. Not even remotely close. This is what the majority of the outspoken insane extremists do and they are nothing more than a vocal minority that should be ignored. Nearly every female friend I have and even my own fiancee is a self-identified feminist. Are they all ignorant psychopaths who deserve your or anyone else's disrespect? NO. All they want is equality between men and women.

The feminazis out there who create drivel and talk crap about how awful men are and how women are above men are the people you're currently behaving ling to a tee. I don't like anyone who is anti-woman or anti-man, but don't go stooping down to their ignorant level and generalizing all feminists into the same psychotic category just to satisfy your own ego and attack ONE bad egg in particular.

EDIT: "If you identify yourself as a feminist, but believe in actual equality I don't consider you a feminist, I'd consider you a MRA more than anything else."

Newsflash hombre, there are many sane women who identify as feminists who only advocate equality. You can't just say "I consider you MRA" when they already identify themselves in a certain way. I'm a guy. Do you suddenly get to tell me I'm not because I believe in feminism and equality?

Feminism is a GREAT thing, the psychopaths distorting its message are not. Educate yourself and don't be so damn ignorant.

plmkoh4342d ago

Oh her...she just does this to scam people via kickstarter. Don't know If I can sympathise with those how actually pledged cash though.

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200°

Why Games, Politics and Podcasts Don't Mix

Boogie2988 recently appeared on the H3 Podcast, and before long the conversation turned to social issues and politics. Unfortunately for Boogie, the internet took exception and he once again found out that no good can come of this.

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dispatches.cheatcc.com
-Foxtrot2554d ago

I like how Twitter took a 13 second CUT of an answer which made him look bad yet everyone rolled with it.

coolbeans2553d ago (Edited 2553d ago )

I mean...let's not pretend those clips are just devoid of context. He's literally doubled down on his argument of gays should wait to receive equal rights under the law until the country was just more comfortable with it. And, even if in the abstract, trying to tie 'videogame feminism' of Sarkeesian to what some violent alt-righter did in Charlottesville by PLOWING into a group of peaceful protestors is straight-up loony. Who cares if the interviewers just rolled with it? Doesn't defeat how absurd he sounded in some of those highlights.

NewMonday2553d ago

His bad analogy doesn't erase the fact Anita Sarkeesian is part of the problem, her ridiculous positions and assaults on anyone who disagrees with here feeds the Alt-Right, many of them are famous because of her.

coolbeans2553d ago (Edited 2553d ago )

By this logic who isn't part of the problem that has some kind of a public platform? This implicates basically any "SJW" channels as well, just b/c certain figureheads of that movement constantly produce response videos to the worst ones. "Oh if certain people just stayed silent they wouldn't inflame this destructive, opposing ideology." Having a more milquetoast composure didn't do much for her when she simply announced the Tropes v. Women In Videogames series, so I'm not so sure how much would've changed had she stayed that course.

Friendly reminder: the optics of this aren't really in your favor. Still trying to parse blame on someone who's just been unfairly connected to the traumatic death of another person? It's true you acknowledge that boogie made bad analogy; however, hand-waving that part away and then subsequently going "but..." isn't the best approach. It's kinda despicable.

NewMonday2553d ago

"Oh if certain people just stayed silent they wouldn't inflame this destructive, opposing ideology"

see this is the problem, I didn't say anything like that, but you shove me into it as to put pressure on me. why would you do that? can we argue within the boundaries of our comments please.

"By this logic who isn't part of the problem that has some kind of a public platform?"

Anita Sarkeesian is consistently bad, Boogie is no Alt-right nut but she turned him into an antagonist because she attacked him for disagreeing with her, and her followers constantly target him since then.

respectable discourse is not much to ask and will help her cause and ignoring it hurts

Cueil2553d ago

no... he's saying you need to take this in steps... you don't convince people on your point of view by shoving it down their throats... Only a person who is to emotionally attach to the problem can't see that.

coolbeans2553d ago

@NewMonday

-What are you talking about? My "Oh if..." rebuttal is taking the inverse of what you just stated previously.

You: "her ridiculous positions and assaults on anyone who disagrees with here feeds the Alt-Right."

Therefore: "...if certain people [such as Sarkeesian] just stayed silent they wouldn't inflame this destructive, opposing ideology." Even if being condescending, that is not an unfair rebuttal to present against your first response, especially when taken in the context of that whole paragraph. Still within the boundaries, just to boundaries you're perhaps uncomfortable with.

-"Boogie is no Alt-right nut but she turned him into an antagonist because she attacked him for disagreeing with her, and her followers constantly target him since then."

I don't condone how she conducted herself after that discussion. But to my recollection: it seems like they had a short spat then things cooled off and they went their separate ways. I know nothing of what harassment and/or criticism he's received from her fans since then; however, considering how he recently made this Anita/Charlottesville connection (EVEN IF just to abstractly discuss the fears of political escalation) on a popular podcast I'd expect her fans to rage. Also, how much responsibility should she have for what her fans do--IF not directly commanded by her to target him? If we're going to go down that rabbit hole, then so too must you acknowledge every other anti-SJW/alt-right/etc. channel for its nastier fans targeting her as well. It's a two-way street in which neither side is sinless.

@Cueil

...you just restated what I said in a different way, and it's still an ignorant take of how equal rights have been historically pursued. Read up on the Stonewall Riots for example. Countless parades and gatherings have happened since then, which has resulted in changes to law. Whether a large cluster of people are still uncomfortable with it or not, it's the principle that should matter. The argument for incrementalism was also something MLK faced from fellow clergyman back then ('we support equal rights for blacks but perhaps you shouldn't rile people up'). I think you'd find his response to that rather enlightening.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2553d ago
DialgaMarine2553d ago

Games and politics definitely don’t mix. Just make good games. Stop trying to use entertainment as a front to push political agenda.

Omnisonne2553d ago

Agreed. I'm not against devs making whatever they wish though, they are free to create whatever. But if it has that peculiar scent of forced politics to it, I don't want a part of it.

fiveby92553d ago

I agree. Make what you like but don't be surprised that people don't purchase your product. I enjoy video games mostly for escapism. The last thing I am entertained by is some game director pushing their own moral code regardless of whether I agree with it or not. Sure they're free to make social commentary but don't be surprised when customers stay away.

kneon2553d ago

Since the dawn of man, entertainment in all it's forms has been used to push a political agenda, get over it.

RainbowBrite2553d ago

Wow that dude loss a lot of weight

DialgaMarine2553d ago

He’s still going too. It’s crazy to look at some of his older vids, and compare to even now.

Kabaneri2553d ago (Edited 2553d ago )

Yeah he had a stomach reduction surgery, good for him.

calactyte2553d ago

I love how the author of the article says that Boogie shouldn't talk about politics since he runs a youtube channel about video games, whilst simultaneously commenting on Boogie's political commentary on a website about video games. Hypocrisy at its best. Also, yikes, calm down before writing a rebuttal. It was really difficult to follow what he was actually trying to say. I had to read it twice and I still don't know. Also I'll never get those minutes back in my life again.

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100°

The evolution of women in video games continues at E3 2017

Feminist Frequency founder Anita Sarkeesian and managing editor Carolyn Petit break down the gender dynamics in all of the games revealed at E3 2017.

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engadget.com
Cy2924d ago

Imagine not only having this much free time but actually getting idiots to *pay* you to write about crap like this.

ZombieGamerMan2924d ago

I really hope that big nosed cunt and that butt ugly tranny fuck off from games forever

GameBoyColor2924d ago

I'm not a girl gamer, and this is my story. -New article coming winter 2017.

Please be excited and don't forget to crowd fund it so I can pocket that cash right after!

DivineAssault 2924d ago

Poison to the gaming industry..

130°

Feminist Frequency paved the way for a playable female protagonist in Dishonored 2

"Arkane co-creative director Harvey Smith said that it was critic Anita Sarkeesian’s analysis of Dishonored, which she offered through her web series Feminist Frequency, which promoted the studio to re-evaluate how it portrayed women in the series."

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gamecrate.com
UCForce2928d ago (Edited 2928d ago )

This is something I will not agree with this. Anita started a gamergate in 2012 which was small, but until 2014 thing out of control fast when she completely succeeded created the conflict between both sides. I remember correctly she hate her dad because he voted who she hated the most (politics).

-Foxtrot2928d ago (Edited 2928d ago )

GamerGate wasn't created by Anita, it was started as a result for the shit Zoe Quinn had been doing which exposed the corrupt journalism and going ons within the industry. As people dug deeper they found new things out and when the heat was getting too hot the majority of game sites banded together and used Zoe Quinn as a victim to show how GamerGate was about abusing, attacking and mentally crippling women for no reason. Why? Because they didn't want any more snooping and would have rather made gamers in general look bad then accept any responsibility for what they did behind closed doors, they were afraid more things came to light if they dug any more. They thought making all gamers look like misogynistic, sexist, women hating pigs would be better then all their shady stuff coming to light and hurting their reputation, things which could cost them their jobs.

Then when things got going people like Brianna Wu and Anita latched onto it to promote their stuff. Anita to sell her kickstarter shit because she's a con artist and Wu because she probably got a lot of shit off people in her past being transgendered, possibly even being bullied as a child and decided she wanted to go on a mighty crusade to hurt all those evil Cis men.

UCForce2928d ago

Like I said, the whole gamergate have been out of control.

naruga2928d ago (Edited 2928d ago )

and who bought the dishonored 2 ??? with all these shoved to our throats diverse things inside ....i say nobody )i know it went bad in sales -and they blamed other games for it) .....the game proved to be completely forgettable and generic as hell...if you cannt develop a game ...is nt the lack of homosexuals or female protagonisst that hurt the game, is that you r by default incompetent ....also shoving things inside just because Anita says to , you make things worse

UCForce2928d ago (Edited 2928d ago )

Now people know why Dishonored 2 have female protagonist because of Anita Influence. I will say this again, she is the false feminist who doesn't belong to feminists community. She completely ruined their image and reputation.

annoyedgamer2928d ago

Anita is shadow developing alot of games, the new Uncharted and TLOU games come to mind. Something about an angry woman beating up a room full of men without getting so much as a scratch brings them joy. I would love to see their reactions if the genders were reversed.

Aenea2928d ago

Actually, of course that can bring one joy! Don't pretend you don't like the idea of kicking the shit out of people in games either, am sure you do! That's why we watch movies, read books and play games, don't we?

Gameseeker_Frampt2928d ago

and I bet you are all tears when playing as an angry man beating up a room full of men. "I'm sorry guys - this is hurting me more than it is you. This brings me no joy." sob, punch, sob, punch, punch....

-Foxtrot2928d ago

Yeah people like Nadine were a direct result of Neil loving Anita and wanting to please her

Adrian_v012928d ago

Because women can't beat up men?

meka26112928d ago

Not really, there are exceptions, but generally they are weaker than men. I remember seeing one time they had the world's strongest woman go to a bar to do some arm wrestling. She went up against average built guys and everyone of them beat her. It's just biology, and as I said, there are exceptions to the rule.

Adrian_v012927d ago (Edited 2927d ago )

@meka

I also remember the woman with world's biggest/heaviest boobs knocking a guy out while dancing on the dancefloor, with her boob. So that doesn't mean anything.

I'd pay to see average built guys fight female cage fighters. I'm really fascinated by the bubble some of u guys live in.

Noctis2927d ago (Edited 2927d ago )

Your username fits like the glass shoe fit Cinderella, just change "annoyed" to "annoying" Also, was your last sentence sarcasm because i'm pretty sure what you describe is really 99% of movies and games.

In my opinion I would like to see some roles reversed. Eg: Chris Redfield's gladiator skin in RE5 was total fanservice to those attracted to men, I would pay to see more DLC like this, a la Dead or Alive, but with men in skimpy outfits and big bulging pecs.

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