• Ever wanted an RSS feed of all your favorite gaming news sites? Go check out our new Gaming Headlines feed! Read more about it here.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Dary

Member
Oct 27, 2017
8,404
The English Wilderness
I apologize before hand but this reminded me of this
aD0OR4O_700b_v1.jpg

I remember going off on a massive rant when that image first did the rounds. I don't think it did my social standing any favours, lols.
 

TubaZef

Member
Oct 28, 2017
3,563
Brazil
Kinda sad to see how SNK is treating this game considering how they had some of the most elegant and respectful designs for women characters in the 90s:

af3e8ece4ab82ba01b20702aba22fdee.jpg

4927e3de39693_n.jpg

kof-99-ikari-warriors-team.jpg


Of course, there were things like their clothes being ripped off when they lost in the early KOF games but let's focus on the fact that they are not wearing bikinis and have bodies with normal proportions.
 

RM8

Member
Oct 28, 2017
7,898
JP
This picture above is heartbreaking, lol. And no one thought those designs were prudish or anything, they were well liked.

To be fair MK9 was absolutely disastrous in terms of female sexualization. I never played MX10 so I don't know if it got better.
It was a massive improvement, I'm kind of nervous they might regress in MK11, lol.
 

Velezcora

Attempted to circumvent ban with alt account
Banned
Nov 16, 2017
3,124
Kinda sad to see how SNK is treating this game considering how they had some of the most elegant and respectful designs for women characters in the 90s:

It's a spin-off though. It's not like this is the next mainline KoF title. It's no different than the fans making sexual fan art of these characters except it's an official product aimed at those fans.

Of course criticise it if you don't like it.
I say this as someone not even remotely interested in the game. I don't like the new designs. I don't like how uncomfortable all the girls look in the game. As long as SNK keeps this stuff in a spin-off it's fine.
 

Dary

Member
Oct 27, 2017
8,404
The English Wilderness
Kinda sad to see how SNK is treating this game considering how they had some of the most elegant and respectful designs for women characters in the 90s:

af3e8ece4ab82ba01b20702aba22fdee.jpg

4927e3de39693_n.jpg

kof-99-ikari-warriors-team.jpg


Of course, there were things like their clothes being ripped off when they lost in the early KOF games but let's focus on the fact that they are not wearing bikinis and have bodies with normal proportions.

And then you read
we want to push the cute aspect of things, the elegant-ness of the women
The cultural dissonance on display is pretty amazing.
 
Oct 25, 2017
11,251

esserius

Member
Oct 26, 2017
7,274
1) It is kinda scary how they don't think those costumes are objectifying
2) It is SO EASY for the CREATORS excuse to be "because I wrote that way"
What's worse about it is that most do not even consider it an issue. Women being treated like sex dolls in media is just the "natural state" of things. (The argument of, "that's just how it is" comes up with disturbing frequency.)

Frustrates the hell out of me how much certain aspects of game media have regressed in the past ten or twenty years. And so far it looks like it's getting worse, not better.
 

Deleted member 32561

User requested account closure
Banned
Nov 11, 2017
3,831
Right, that interview about SNK Heroines set me right off. Here's what I had to say in the topic about it.
He doesn't understand the damn problem is that they're in these costumes against their will. That's the crux of the issue, for me. MAI fucking SHIRANUI should not be blushing like a schoolgirl in a BIKINI.

Japanese devs who want their pure waifus but also want to sexualize them are, pardon my French, idiots. Like, can't justify Leona choosing to be in an alt costume and NEED a story reason? THEN DON'T GIVE HER THAT ALT COSTUME. It's not rocket science.

And given that this is a sequel to SNK Gals, in which fairy godmother Iori kidnapped the girls to make them fight with thew winner getting a wish.... the "story reason" is probably that Iori forced them into these costumes against their will. So "ruining images of characters"? Well Iori is a sexual harasser now, good job SNK.

There's room in the industry for fanservice games. I have no issue with games like Oneechanbara or protagonists like Bayonetta. There's no room for justifying women feeling uncomfortable with their own bodies and choice of attire for the sexual joy of the audience.

Still not over the spiritual successor for a game aimed at girls turning into this. It's amazing how the initial trailer excited me but everything since has turned me more and more off.

Like it'd just be so easy to not even have the costumes matter from a story perspective but still matter in gameplay, if the latter is what they're going for. But no, let's have Mai hate being in a bikini. Spare me.

Like. C'mon man. Own up to it at least.

It'd be even better if they weren't sexualized, sure, but if they're going to... Own up to it.
 

ShyMel

Moderator
Oct 31, 2017
3,483
It'd be even better if they weren't sexualized, sure, but if they're going to... Own up to it.
That is what really gets me sometimes. Just say you want to see women in bikinis and such. Do not try and hide it with some "Oh there is a good reason blah blah" comment that usually ends of falling flat.
 

4Tran

Member
Nov 4, 2017
1,531
What's worse about it is that most do not even consider it an issue. Women being treated like sex dolls in media is just the "natural state" of things. (The argument of, "that's just how it is" comes up with disturbing frequency.)

Frustrates the hell out of me how much certain aspects of game media have regressed in the past ten or twenty years. And so far it looks like it's getting worse, not better.
I don't think that this is entirely fair. It has gotten better for AAA games, and I'm seeing a lot of indie developers try to do a better job. The issues are being acknowledged now, and even games journalists are starting to cover this kind of thing. The big problem spot is Japan; and there it really has gotten worse.
 

Kriegshand

Member
Oct 28, 2017
516
My opinion:

There in nothing wrong with sexualisation in media. Lust is created by imagination and for that reason it is the strongest impetus for media in general. To adore the anatomy of the human body is natural an nothing wrong. Some of the greatest books and films wouldn't have been made without this impetus. Think of it.
pic-dirty-d-startbild-verleih.jpg

wallpaper_age_of_wonders_2_02_1600.jpg
 

Weltall Zero

Game Developer
Banned
Oct 26, 2017
19,343
Madrid
My opinion:

There in nothing wrong with sexualisation in media. Lust is created by imagination and for that reason it is the strongest impetus for media in general. To adore the anatomy of the human body is natural an nothing wrong. Some of the greates books and films wouldn't have been made without this impetus. Think of it.
pic-dirty-d-startbild-verleih.jpg

You have absolutely zero fucking clue what "sexualization" means in this context.

Also lol at condescending comments like "think of it" from someone who's cripplingly unequipped to discuss the topic, let alone look down on people who've doing it for months.
 

Xaszatm

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
10,903
My opinion:

There in nothing wrong with sexualisation in media. Lust is created by imagination and for that reason it is the strongest impetus for media in general. To adore the anatomy of the human body is natural an nothing wrong. Some of the greatest books and films wouldn't have been made without this impetus. Think of it.
pic-dirty-d-startbild-verleih.jpg

wallpaper_age_of_wonders_2_02_1600.jpg

Sexualization =/= Sexualized and Objectification. One can admire the human body without turning it into a pile of meat to masturbate too.
 

Deleted member 32561

User requested account closure
Banned
Nov 11, 2017
3,831
My opinion:

There in nothing wrong with sexualisation in media. Lust is created by imagination and for that reason it is the strongest impetus for media in general. To adore the anatomy of the human body is natural an nothing wrong. Some of the greatest books and films wouldn't have been made without this impetus. Think of it.
pic-dirty-d-startbild-verleih.jpg

wallpaper_age_of_wonders_2_02_1600.jpg
Methinks you haven't read the OP. No one in here is saying exploring sexuality or sexualization is inherently bad. It's the objectification and over-rampant representation of women in sexualized designs that's the issue.

Women want to be able to see themselves represented in media, games especially, without them being designed with the male gaze in mind, and that's REALLY hard right now, especially with Japanese games (Western game devs are starting to catch on, thankfully). That's all. I don't think that's really that big an ask, and hell, I want it too.
 

Xaszatm

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
10,903
This is pure objectification and there is northing wrong with it.

250px-%27David%27_by_Michelangelo_Fir_JBU002.jpg

Yet notice how his posture is set up. Notice that he isn't thrusting his pelvis in front of the camera. I mean, look at statues of women from that same period now compare that to the cheesecake found in video game women designs. It's all about angles and focus. This objectification is admiring the entire body, not just the penis. Women need to contort their body so their breasts and ass need to be shown in modern games. Like, this is one of the most famous greek statues of women:

Notice how, despite being naked, she isn't as objectified as some more modern forms as female costume design. This is what we are talking about.
 

HypedBeast

Member
Oct 29, 2017
2,058
You have absolutely zero fucking clue what "sexualization" means in this context.

Also lol at condescending comments like "think of it" from someone who's cripplingly unequipped to discuss the topic, let alone look down on people who've doing it for months.
Bruh, why are acting so damn aggressive. Chill out, if hes wrong correct him on where he misspoke, but dont act like a prick to people.
 

MattWilsonCSS

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
1,349
Bruh, why are acting so damn aggressive. Chill out, if hes wrong correct him on where he misspoke, but dont act like a prick to people.
I dunno, this thread has debunked a lot of this shit over and over and over and over and over and over and over and it's even in the OP. At this point the thread is a community of people ready to move on to deeper discussion but there are still these drivebys ignoring the OP and then repeating the same talking points people are flat out exhausted from 'debating'. I think people have a right to get annoyed at this point.
 

HypedBeast

Member
Oct 29, 2017
2,058
I dunno, this thread has debunked a lot of this shit over and over and over and over and over and over and over and it's even in the OP. At this point the thread is a community of people ready to move on to deeper discussion but there are still these drivebys ignoring the OP and then repeating the same talking points people are flat out exhausted from 'debating'. I think people have a right to get annoyed at this point.
I understand that, but that is still no reason to be acting like that. Correct where he is wrong and move on, there's no reason to belittle the person, that's just bad netiquette.
 

Kriegshand

Member
Oct 28, 2017
516
Yet notice how his posture is set up. Notice that he isn't thrusting his pelvis in front of the camera. I mean, look at statues of women from that same period now compare that to the cheesecake found in video game women designs. It's all about angles and focus. This objectification is admiring the entire body, not just the penis. Women need to contort their body so their breasts and ass need to be shown in modern games. Like, this is one of the most famous greek statues of women:


Notice how, despite being naked, she isn't as objectified as some more modern forms as female costume design. This is what we are talking about.

The legend tells this statue is so true to life that there was a young man in the celia of the temple trying to have sexual intercourse with it. Just because it is not modern style does not mean it isn't sexualisation.
 

Dary

Member
Oct 27, 2017
8,404
The English Wilderness
My opinion:

There in nothing wrong with sexualisation in media. Lust is created by imagination and for that reason it is the strongest impetus for media in general. To adore the anatomy of the human body is natural an nothing wrong. Some of the greatest books and films wouldn't have been made without this impetus. Think of it.

If video games could approach these matters with maturity and nuance, that'd be great. Unfortunately, video games are less L'Age d'Or and more Zombie Strippers...
 

esserius

Member
Oct 26, 2017
7,274
This is pure objectification and there is northing wrong with it.
Not gonna lie, I laughed.
I understand that, but that is still no reason to be acting like that. Correct where he is wrong and move on, there's no reason to belittle the person, that's just bad netiquette.
I'm pretty sure many of us have just reached a point where our collective tolerance for stupid has dropped considerably.
 

Kriegshand

Member
Oct 28, 2017
516
User Warned: Derailing the thread with a nonsensical comparison
If video games could approach these matters with maturity and nuance, that'd be great. Unfortunately, video games are less L'Age d'Or and more Zombie Strippers...

It's not the videogames it's the consumers. The industry is just an assistant to bring imagination to life. Now tell me to give everyone injections to lower their desires like it was done with gay people not too long ago.
 

HypedBeast

Member
Oct 29, 2017
2,058
I'm pretty sure many of us have just reached a point where our collective tolerance for stupid has dropped considerably.
I dosent matter This isnt your day job, take a break if you must, but the way Weltall Zero has been acting in this thread is just unacceptable. Every one of his comments just tends to reek of smugness and condescension . That kind of tone just makes people want to argue and disagree with you because you're being such nause.

Im definitely guilty of doing that earlier in the thread and I hate that. I dont like how I handled myself a couple of months ago, and I try to not write in a sarcastic or smug tone constantly. But Weltall Zero has consistently done this, and it hurts his position greatly.
 

Twig

Member
Oct 25, 2017
7,486
"Bad netiquette" is coming into a thread without reading any of it and acting like you know more than everyone else who's already posting in it.

Vitriol deserved.
 

HypedBeast

Member
Oct 29, 2017
2,058
"Bad netiquette" is coming into a thread without reading any of it and acting like you know more than everyone else who's already posting in it.

Vitriol deserved.
Well two things.

1. Why does no one just quote my post instead of posting in the thread? I wont get your notification if you do that.

2.Yeah, that was dumb. Dont immediately go on the attack like that! I mean the thread dosent really get going till like page 30, so I can understand if someone just skims the OP and makes what they feel will be a strong argument. I you feel they are wrong, correct them on some things and see if you can come to a similar conclusion, but dont respond to people with that kind of shitty, smug tone (not you, Weltall Zero), it does no one any favors.
 

Kriegshand

Member
Oct 28, 2017
516
esserius

You know there were experiments with rats in the 1950s by James Olds. Even while suffering hunger these rats prefered to have sexual stimulation leading to death. Just accept there is a natural reward system thousand times more powerful than any lootbox system.
 

rras1994

Member
Nov 4, 2017
5,742
I dosent matter This isnt your day job, take a break if you must, but the way Weltall Zero has been acting in this thread is just unacceptable. Every one of his comments just tends to reek of smugness and condescension . That kind of tone just makes people want to argue and disagree with you because you're being such nause.

Im definitely guilty of doing that earlier in the thread and I hate that. I dont like how I handled myself a couple of months ago, and I try to not write in a sarcastic or smug tone constantly. But Weltall Zero has consistently done this, and it hurts his position greatly.
I saw you in the earliar thread having ago at another person for being in a thread cus they weren't going to buy the game, and you weren't exactly that nice in doing it. In fact a lot of your comments in that thread could be considered quite hostile in tone. Do you think that harms your position?
 

Deleted member 32561

User requested account closure
Banned
Nov 11, 2017
3,831
HypedBeast I want to agree with you but Kriegshand is clearly not arguing in good faith. The man's bringing up ancient studies about rats in talking about fucking representation in video games.

esserius

You know there were experiments with rats in the 1950s by James Olds. Even while suffering hunger these rats prefered to have sexual stimulation leading to death. Just accept there is a natural reward system thousand times more powerful than any lootbox system.
And what does rats liking sex have ANYTHING to do with why a lot of people would like to have women characters who don't exist to be sexual objects?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Unless you're contending the only reason to have female characters is for the sake of the sexual gaze of the audience. In which case, get out.
 

HypedBeast

Member
Oct 29, 2017
2,058
I saw you in the earliar thread having ago at another person for being in a thread cus they weren't going to buy the game, and you weren't exactly that nice in doing it. In fact a lot of your comments in that thread could be considered quite hostile in tone. Do you think that harms your position?
Yeah I also felt that was shitty to keep pressing him for not buying the game. Im gonna try to apologize to him for acting rude.
 

rras1994

Member
Nov 4, 2017
5,742
Yeah I also felt that was shitty to keep pressing him for not buying the game. Im gonna try to apologize to him for acting rude.
I think it is easy to be a bit harsh, specially in a thread where the same point gets brought up again and again, when it's already been explained before. I think the reason that people have become more snarky in this thread is there have been far too many people coming in to bring these points up disingenuously, it's hard to take them at face value anymore. I know recently in forums (not this forum), I've regretted being polite in explaining an issue cus people they turn around and act very aggressive, and make me seem like I'm the one being crazy and unreasonable. I've started just not saying anything at all, rather than explaining my position cus it's very tiring. It's why I understand the sarcastic tone going on in this thread. Though I do think it's good on you for apologising for being aggressive, most people would not do that.
 

Redcrayon

Patient hunter
On Break
Oct 27, 2017
12,713
UK
My opinion:

There in nothing wrong with sexualisation in media. Lust is created by imagination and for that reason it is the strongest impetus for media in general. To adore the anatomy of the human body is natural an nothing wrong. Some of the greatest books and films wouldn't have been made without this impetus. Think of it.
pic-dirty-d-startbild-verleih.jpg

wallpaper_age_of_wonders_2_02_1600.jpg
The thread isn't about sexualisation in media in general and desire for it as part of the human condition. It's about the way that female characters and designs/costumes in particular are sexualised in games in a way that men aren't. The ludicrous anatomy proportions, the infantilisation of women, the way the costumes of adventurers can run closer to lingerie than armour even when a male and female character wear the same item.

Let's discuss the image you've posted here in the context of this thread. Boobplate aside, would a male adventurer pair a skintight, figure-hugging breastplate with no padding beneath, apparently also designed to disembowell the groin, with a pair of shorts? Why is the cloak longer than her legs? There's a trip hazard if ever I saw one! Assuming that the idea is that the sword has it's point in the ground, I'm not sure how she can swing it's giant arcs without getting it trapped in the giant cloak apparently chosen for warmth while also picking the miniskirt+1 from the elven armoury. At least the body parts look roughly in proportion, although I question how effectively she's going to use a sword with a grip wider than her wrist. With regard to the boobplate, it's obviously ridiculous and deliberately confuses armour with a corset, but I do like the wreath/plant detail that presumably has some connection to the green material, forest background and similar design on her leather vambrace.

Presumably there's a reason for the Fleur-de-lys headband, but it's a shame none of the detail elements are carried through onto her generic-fantasy sword that she's wielding like a pole in need of a dancer. Would a male adventurer choose this pose? If not, why not? I feel like male adventurers with greatswords tend to be depicted with it either about to decapitate someone or balanced stoically on their shoulder rather than have their thigh caressing it.

It's a nice painting, I like it as a lifelong fan of fantasy stuff, but it would be nice to see women in games treated like heroic adventurers and equipped as such rather than just pin-ups designed to titillate first and offer information about the character/world second.
 

Xaszatm

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
10,903
esserius

You know there were experiments with rats in the 1950s by James Olds. Even while suffering hunger these rats prefered to have sexual stimulation leading to death. Just accept there is a natural reward system thousand times more powerful than any lootbox system.

As an asexual, this is laughable. I'm sorry that you believe that sex is so vital to your life that you think we would rather have sex than live. But that's not true for everyone. It's certainly not true for me. But then again, you haven't been arguing in good faith at all, have you?
 

Windrunner

Sly
Member
Oct 25, 2017
6,486
esserius

You know there were experiments with rats in the 1950s by James Olds. Even while suffering hunger these rats prefered to have sexual stimulation leading to death. Just accept there is a natural reward system thousand times more powerful than any lootbox system.

This post is like the results of when 2 Google Homes start talking to each other for a week.
 

Weltall Zero

Game Developer
Banned
Oct 26, 2017
19,343
Madrid
You guys realize HypedBeast is a concern troll whose only contribution to this thread has ever been constant tone policing, right? Just put him on ignore, report him if you want, and move on; stop feeding him.

On a side note, it's never not creepy to click that "show ignored content" button to see what everyone is replying to and realize he's still obsessed with me. :S
 

Twig

Member
Oct 25, 2017
7,486
Well two things.

1. Why does no one just quote my post instead of posting in the thread? I wont get your notification if you do that.

2.Yeah, that was dumb. Dont immediately go on the attack like that! I mean the thread dosent really get going till like page 30, so I can understand if someone just skims the OP and makes what they feel will be a strong argument. I you feel they are wrong, correct them on some things and see if you can come to a similar conclusion, but dont respond to people with that kind of shitty, smug tone (not you, Weltall Zero), it does no one any favors.
I often don't quote people because it's a button I have to press and I'm too lazy to scroll back up and find it after reaching the bottom of the page.

Anyway, I don't think it's on the marginalized or those arguing in their favor to be nice all the time to everyone forever. I think that's kind of a shitty demand to make, in fact.

And FWIW it's not so much what that person said. It's how they said it. I mean, what they said comes from a position of ignorance, but the way they presented that ignorance makes it seem willful. A condescending "I know better than you why are you so upset" attitude does nothing to earn a respectful response.
 

Twig

Member
Oct 25, 2017
7,486
You guys realize HypedBeast is a concern troll whose only contribution to this thread has ever been constant tone policing, right? Just put him on ignore, report him if you want, and move on; stop feeding him.

On a side note, it's never not creepy to click that "show ignored content" button to see what everyone is replying to and realize he's still obsessed with me. :S
Ah... Welp.
 

Dice

Member
Oct 25, 2017
22,165
Canada
esserius

You know there were experiments with rats in the 1950s by James Olds. Even while suffering hunger these rats prefered to have sexual stimulation leading to death. Just accept there is a natural reward system thousand times more powerful than any lootbox system.

BUHLEAVE IT OR NOT---- you will never die because you your dick didn't get stroked. It's not ideal, sex is fantastic and all that, but not having it won't kill us.
Comparing people to rats is strange. We are not rats, nor have I seen people prioritize fucking someone when we're hungry.

What even is that post.

Are you simply trying to say people like to fuck? Because we certainly didn't need rat data to figure that out.
 

HypedBeast

Member
Oct 29, 2017
2,058
You guys realize HypedBeast is a concern troll whose only contribution to this thread has ever been constant tone policing, right? Just put him on ignore, report him if you want, and move on; stop feeding him.

On a side note, it's never not creepy to click that "show ignored content" button to see what everyone is replying to and realize he's still obsessed with me. :S
Labels are fun.But like I said, your toxic attitude is really damaging. Also this is the only other time Ive mentioned you, I just see you showing your ass so much I thought I would bring it up.
 

esserius

Member
Oct 26, 2017
7,274
I accept that fan service games, and other games like them, exist. That doesn't mean I have to be happy about them, nor take part in the childish reverence and jubilation so many seem happy to provide them. It also doesn't mean that I'm not allowed to voice my distaste, and I'll continue to do so because I'm tired of them taking up so much of the industry's time. If nothing else, they distract far too greatly from conversations games and those around them could be talking about. But instead we're still here, caught up in just getting people to realize that there might be a problem.

If another fan service game never came into existence, I could say that I'd only be far more pleased than where we currently stand.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
Persephone

Persephone

Member
Oct 25, 2017
4,405
Just started replaying Mass Effect 2 and mmmmm the female characters' outfits are so... nope. Miranda's spandex boob sock bodysuit, Jack's belt bra, Samara's cleavage... then of course there's the issues the series has as a whole with the Asari and that kind of shit. It's a shame because I love the game and this kind of nonsense is hampering my enjoyment of it.
 

Twig

Member
Oct 25, 2017
7,486
Yeah pretty much i'd love to never talk about sexism again.

But you gotta talk about it to make it go away so people don't talk about it.

Not that it'll ever go completely away, but you know. Maybe it won't be so ever-fucking-present.

Replace sexism with any other problematic shit for giggles.
 

Hecht

Too damn tired
Administrator
Oct 24, 2017
9,727
I dosent matter This isnt your day job, take a break if you must, but the way Weltall Zero has been acting in this thread is just unacceptable. Every one of his comments just tends to reek of smugness and condescension . That kind of tone just makes people want to argue and disagree with you because you're being such nause.

Im definitely guilty of doing that earlier in the thread and I hate that. I dont like how I handled myself a couple of months ago, and I try to not write in a sarcastic or smug tone constantly. But Weltall Zero has consistently done this, and it hurts his position greatly.
Let's cool it with the tone policing. If you have a problem with a user, provide an actionable report - but don't keep harping on it in the thread and derailing.
 

Weltall Zero

Game Developer
Banned
Oct 26, 2017
19,343
Madrid
I think we need to start learning to ignore these interruptions, myself included. When someone that clearly doesn't understand or care for the difference between sexualization and sexuality wanders into the thread, I think engaging them is never going to be any more fruitful as trying to teach quantum physics to an average three year old that just wandered into the lecture hall.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.