810°

The Worst 7 Female Stereotypes in Videogames That Need to Go

vgPWN:

It’s hard to believe that in the 21st century there are still so many female stereotypes still in videogames. This continues despite the fact that there are plenty of women in the industry and in the consumer base, and over recent years there has been quite a bit of dialogue on this issue.

Kalebninja2982d ago

prostitutes aren't really a stereotype, they exist and depending on the game setting they're really not a problem. Other than that good article but you forgot the games where the characters are all willing to have sex with the protagonist for doing a quest.

fallacious2982d ago

this article is probably written by sjws who don't know how the real world works.

Kalebninja2982d ago

Good job, completely invalidating the article because you don't share the authors opinion.

Aeery2981d ago (Edited 2981d ago )

Unfortunately this "article" is seriously short sighted and cover the stereotypes in a poor way.

It's just another sjw article ... Useless.

Dear author, next time, do the same with the male stereotypes, I'm pretty sure you will have less work do to :D

garrettbobbyferguson2981d ago

Of course it is written by them. Their first point is complaining about the damsel in distress. Then they complain about a woman who is too powerful. There is no pleasing them. Then they complain about the sexy woman who is a badass. This article is pure trash.

SweetIvy2981d ago (Edited 2981d ago )

So... I did read through the article and I'm wondering if it actually makes any sense?

Anyways,
I like this story and think the author of the article may dig it:

"Once upon a time there was a prostitute woman, she lived in such a bad side of the city that she became really street smart. She was also quite athletic and one night she had the chance to change her life once and for all and took it. After months of hard training and study she became a wizard warrior and embarked on the most dreadful adventure: against an horde of lust demons.
She slaughtered them all, but was so fatigued in the end that the Demon Lord managed to capture her.

It's now your turn to save her, you have grown up in the ranks of a noble, military family, but aren't very loved because of your know-it-all nature. By rescuing this fellow woman adventurer you, too, want to change your life for the better."

If you embellish it with the right things, it could even be a cool story!

ginganinja2981d ago

I shudder to wonder how you think the 'real world works'.

nosferatuzodd2981d ago

lol exactly this article make s no sense he all over the place from damsel in distress to everything else who ever came up with this need to take their Prozac

DragonKnight2981d ago

SJWs think the world is nothing but a series of systems designed to keep straight white men in power and everyone else down. SJWs invented microaggressions as a way to say that just when you think the world isn't anti-everyone-but-white-men enough, nope there's still more oppression.

SJWs don't know how the real world works because they're lost inside their own delusions. WILLING prostitutes actually exist in the real world. *gasp* And it's not a bad thing, it doesn't demean or degrade women. Prostitution is the oldest trade in the world, and it's just another way of women using what they've got to get ahead in life. And it works for them. Hell, successful cam girls make THOUSANDS a day and all they do is act on camera, tell me you wouldn't like making thousands a day from the comfort of your own bed?

Damsel in Distress is only a problem for people who think too highly of their own capability. No one, man or women, is above needing aid. Ever. And wanting to save someone is NOT showing that that someone is weak, it's showing that that someone is very important to you, so much so you'd risk everything for them.

Twisting and spinning these concepts to prop up a victim narrative is just awful, and it makes SJWs the worst kinds of people.

Mr Pumblechook2981d ago

One of the character types is the 'Who Needs Armor Anyway?' !

I, nor anyone else in the universe, haven't heard of that archetype.

The article is a good idea but needs more time spent on it.

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Dee_912982d ago (Edited 2982d ago )

They should replace those stereotypes with the "women who nag and complain about trivial crap constantly" stereotype.
Just have her follow you around complaining about stuff and wanting you to change it.
I like how these articles are always like " a lot of females in video games are..." and then list one example which just so happens to be the one and only example.

Roman from GTA IV was the best damsel in distress by far

dj3boud2982d ago

Soooo.. every stereotype?

2981d ago
joab7772981d ago

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and so am I.

Stop with these articles. Stereotypes actually exist for a reason. Do we want every single character to simply be the same? Because this is exactly what will happen. Also, and more importantly, we do NOT play video games for their hyper realism. If we did, we'd simply turn them off and play life.

Stereotypes are sometimes alot of fun. The idea of rescuing a beautiful lady, or the idea of a lady being rescued by a knight in shining armor is at the core of most of our childhood imaginations.

I could list every stereotype, but they have their place in stories. That said, I do want characters and their development to evolve as video game tech grows. And I love seeing strong female leads. But I love them all in concert because they aren't real, b/c they are a twist, a caricature, or a reflection of reality, not reality itself.

Instead of doing away with prostitutes, which do exist, or Susie know it alls, let's develop these Stereotypes into something more, give them depth.

Tomb Raider, both games, are a great example of a very flawed but good start. When first announced, we were introduced to a strong woman, who was also vulnerable and innocent, figuring everything out as she.moved forward, as she was introduced to the horrors of the world. Unfortunately, in both games, this lasted all of 10 minutes b4 she is gunning down trained merc by the hundreds. Exit immersion.

Maybe instead of ditching stereotypes, we delve even deeper into them. Maybe we start highlighting the many characteristics that make up a well written character. Maybe we look into all the various nature's of Laura, those that make up most women today. Their hopes, dreams, fears etc. I stead of ditching these, let's embrace stereotypes and see them fleshed out.

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Godmars2902982d ago

So basically remove female characters from all gaming. Just to be safe.

xPaYDaYx2982d ago

LOL same thing I was thinking while reading

rainslacker2982d ago

Nope, then it'd be sexist and discriminatory for not representing women.

The 10th Rider2981d ago

@dragonddark,

Unless you're a woman. Then you always win.

bobtheimpaler2982d ago

Replace all characters in games with beige coloured blobs that do not speak.

They're just given a single alphabet for names.

PoSTedUP2982d ago

but make sure they are wearing armor, over unisex scrubs... and point you in the wrong direction on your quest to watch the cute petite girl get murdered trying to escape and fend for herself.

DragonKnight2981d ago

Beige implies Caucasian, why are you racist against blobs of color?

Kalebninja2982d ago (Edited 2982d ago )

Or just not stereotype them which plenty of games don't. I always see someone give an extreme example like this acting like it's what the author's insinuating at all.

Godmars2902982d ago

Thing is between Damsels in Distress, who can be male characters btw, Eye Candy as well as Sexy Badass, who can be one in the same as a main character - see Blood Rayne, Bayonetta and any iteration of Laura Croft including current - the creative process of developing a game's story becomes so restricted that it would be best to remove the conflicting factor altogether.

You do understand that the very argument you're presenting is subjective right? That any indication of a character's gender, any situation they might be required to fill for the sake of story, could be seen as being stereotypical. Which has been the case with many male characters.

annoyedgamer2982d ago

I say let's remove them. and since I said so it must be done or you are supporting stereotypes. Why be so insensitive?

Kalebninja2982d ago

@annoyedgamer No ones going to take you seriously if all you can do is be sarcastic, grow up.

annoyedgamer2982d ago

Nope then it would be sexist. Even history will be rewritten to put them in places they cannot physically be.

Godmars2902982d ago

That should go without saying well beyond the gender/sexist issue.

bloodybutcher2981d ago

but...who's gonna make all the in-game sandwiches???

2981d ago
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vanity292982d ago

But what about all the male stereotypes? seems fair to me.

Kalebninja2982d ago (Edited 2982d ago )

how about you make an article about it if you're actually concerned about it, there aren't many male exclusive stereotypes out there in games and if there was they're clearly not bothering many people.

vanity292982d ago

Im not concerned about how male characters are actually just animated stereotypes. I accept it and i like the characters they make. Same with female characters. Im not gunna make an article saying that 6 packs need to go.

Kalebninja2982d ago

@vanity29 but what are the stereotypes you're okay with for males? You didn't list any actual ones because having abs isn't a stereotype.

annoyedgamer2982d ago

That's because we aren't whiners who want to censor freedom of expression.

Kalebninja2982d ago

Noone is censoring anything, we want them to change for the future.

ShaunCameron2982d ago

And that future would be the one dictated by malcontents?

bobtheimpaler2982d ago

If people like you don't want to censor anything then you should respect the developer's decision to include content that may only appeal to certain people.

Art shouldn't attempt to cater to everyone. There should just be more kinds of art.

Godmars2902981d ago

"Noone is censoring anything, we want them to change for the future."

You mean like making Link female or Samus transgender? Nevermind the issues that have risen with game like SFV which has been censored or the last - second to last? - Assassin Creed title which caught flack for not having a female character option.

If you want to change them, how about making games with the changes you want instead of demanding do so to your seemingly exacting, fickle, expectations? Do it well enough and you will create the creative changes you want in an obviously creatively stale market.

Nitrowolf22981d ago (Edited 2981d ago )

"any actual ones because having abs isn't a stereotype."

Neither is having oversized boobs then if your gonna go with that statement. Because every guy on this planet have abs, are jacked up beyond expectations and are also emotionless rage monsters with tiny brains?

Sounds like every male character almost. People don't have that big of a problem with it because it just doesn't bother them. You go in there saying that it's just female stereotype happ3ning, yet there are plenty of titles I've played where the roles are reverse yet it doesn't bother me because I know it's not real, and if that's the direction they want to go with their game fine then.

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70°

Our Favorite Villains in Gaming - Roundtable

There have been plenty of great villains in video games over the years. Now it's time for the VGU crew to name a few of their favorites.

90°

Which Far Cry Should I Start With? - A Beginner's Guide 2023

If you’re new to this long-running franchise, we’ve got you covered.

Read Full Story >>
gameluster.com
masterfox425d ago

Farcry 3 and literally thats it! lol

GamingSinceForever423d ago (Edited 423d ago )

I recently tried 3 for the first time but the frame rate was a turnoff.

I liked 5 and 6 though.

banger88423d ago

If you have a Series X or S, the Xbox 360 version runs at 60 fps with fps boost. It's a shame the remaster doesn't.

isarai425d ago

2 and 3, pretty much the only ones i really enjoyed. 1 was amazing for the time but aged quite poorly. 4 has the elephant gun, all i can praise from any entry after 3 lol

cooperdnizzle423d ago

Ummmm 3 than stop.

Okay maybe two as well. But yeah probably 3 and then move on.

JEECE423d ago (Edited 423d ago )

Far Cry 2. People constantly rant about games now being too easy, holding your hand, having too many unnecessary RPG-lite leveling features, etc. People specifically complain about open world games being too focused on tons of collectibles and "checkmarks" that just waste time.

Far Cry 2 is an answer to all of those complaints. It was made by Ubisoft before they fell into all the traps discussed above (and before they started inserting towers into their games to defog the map). It has respawning enemies, weapons that degrade, and the collectible diamonds are very useful in the game (which you find in a similar way to the way you find shrines in BOTW with a radar system). The map you have is an in game item you pull out while playing, not a pause menu that is unnecessarily detailed. Also the enemy AI and physics are much better than later entries in the series.

It has a mixed reputation because people at the time said it was too hard, the weapon degradation was annoying, and then respawning enemies were annoying. FC2 came out in 2008, so this was before games like Dark Souls and BOTW had come out and made it cool to like these types of features.

XbladeTeddy422d ago

Far Cry 2, the one with the AI that find you through walls and trees, can one shot you from a mile away and have 100% accuracy? That was frustrating not fun because cheap AI.

JEECE422d ago (Edited 422d ago )

Uhh, I mean, it isn't one of these games where once the enemies have detected you they will magically forget you exist because you walked behind a wall or went into a bush. And yeah the AI isn't stormtrooper level accuracy. Again, these are positives, not negatives to me.

To be fair, I'm really directing this at the people most critical of "Modern Ubisoft" or "Modern Open World" design elements. Like the type of people who fawned all over Elden Ring because it had a clean UI because they are so burnt out by the "checkbox" type of open world design.

If you like those types of games, then a later FC game like 3 and especially 4-5 would be more your style.

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120°

Far Cry 3 Is One Of The Most Important Games Of Our Time

TheGamer Writes "Far Cry 3 is a time capsule of what game design was like in the early '00s"

Read Full Story >>
thegamer.com
Knushwood Butt507d ago

Beat it twice; once on PS3, and once a couple of months ago on PS5.

Doesn't Far Cry 2 have some of the things they are talking about here? Diamond hunting, healing, malaria medication?

shinoff2183507d ago (Edited 507d ago )

I believe 2 did. I highly doubt it was the only game like that though. I imagine the writer isn't old enough to have played part 2 but I also feel it wasn't the first game to introduce stuff like that

They bring up mass effect 2. I felt mass effect 1 was better. It just seem cut down. The citadel was a joke in part 2 compared to 1. How do you cut back on that.

Profchaos507d ago

Having just replayed the entire me trilogy yeah I think 1 was my favourite I think 2 had better cover and shooting mechanics but everything else in 1 was better

jznrpg506d ago (Edited 506d ago )

Mass Effect 1 was the best . It played like an RPG . The other games were more shooter and lost the feel the first game had unfortunately

gurp507d ago (Edited 507d ago )

I played it on PC when it came out, might play it again some time
Far Cry 3 is the best of the series, it was ahead of it's time

Palitera506d ago

It seems the blogger didn’t even play RDR1 if he thinks FC3 brought these elements to the AAA table. Tiktokers always have a new surprise. Smh

Sgt_Slaughter507d ago

"Far Cry 3 is a time capsule of what game design was like in the early '00s"

>Came out in 2012

Okay then

BrainSyphoned507d ago

If we are going to talk early 2000's game design how about start in the year 2000 with games that are a far cry better than something released 12 years later.
"Chrono Cross, Baldur's Gate II, Diablo II, Dragon Quest VII, Final Fantasy IX, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, along with new intellectual properties such as Deus Ex, Jet Set Radio, Perfect Dark, The Sims and Vagrant Story."
The article names things Ubisoft has shoved into games to dumb them down and then claims we should rush off to play it. Maybe instead look back at it as the death of originality from Ubisoft and gaming in general.

glennhkboy507d ago

Far Cry 3 & Assassin's Creed VI: Black Flag are 2 of the very best games from Ubisoft. All Ubisoft games since then are all just copying these 2 games.

ChubbyBlade506d ago

This isn’t an early 2000s game…you’re about a decade to early on that one.

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