Hmm I think that objectification is too harsh in certain cases. I am fine with fan service, although fan service can turn into objectification sometimes.
I´d say that fan service can exist as a part of the character, and objectification defines the character. For example, if a female character starts a game already in a super skimpy outfit and with her boobs almost hanging out I´d say it´s a case of objectification. There is no redeeming quality to the character and she was created from the get to please her audience.
Fan service would be a case where the, well, the "fan service" is a smaller part of an already established character. I´ll take Ann from Persona 5 as an example - and most female characters from that game. They don´t have complex stories, but they at least have a background. The beach scene is an example of fan service, and you get hints that Ann is the sexy character in multiple scenes (like the van one in Futaba´s palace), which could be considered fan service.
I don´t think fan service is bad, when used well and sparsely, even if some scenes can be dumb. I´m of the opinion that being sexy is good, for men and for women.
Also the discussion of fan service can go even beyond scenes where characters are shown in swimsuits or lingerie. Most videogame characters are created from the start with beautiful faces and bodies, which helps people feel more attached to them. Sure, Overwatch has a big cast of characters, but most of them are beautiful models like Mercy, D.Va, Symmetra, Widowmaker and so on, which helps to move merchandise and create billions of fan art. So... could even a cast of characters created as paragons of beauty already be considered fan service?
I´d say that fan service can exist as a part of the character, and objectification defines the character. For example, if a female character starts a game already in a super skimpy outfit and with her boobs almost hanging out I´d say it´s a case of objectification. There is no redeeming quality to the character and she was created from the get to please her audience.
Fan service would be a case where the, well, the "fan service" is a smaller part of an already established character. I´ll take Ann from Persona 5 as an example - and most female characters from that game. They don´t have complex stories, but they at least have a background. The beach scene is an example of fan service, and you get hints that Ann is the sexy character in multiple scenes (like the van one in Futaba´s palace), which could be considered fan service.
I don´t think fan service is bad, when used well and sparsely, even if some scenes can be dumb. I´m of the opinion that being sexy is good, for men and for women.
Also the discussion of fan service can go even beyond scenes where characters are shown in swimsuits or lingerie. Most videogame characters are created from the start with beautiful faces and bodies, which helps people feel more attached to them. Sure, Overwatch has a big cast of characters, but most of them are beautiful models like Mercy, D.Va, Symmetra, Widowmaker and so on, which helps to move merchandise and create billions of fan art. So... could even a cast of characters created as paragons of beauty already be considered fan service?
