If there's one thing I hate more than TheMarySue.com for ripping off my website, hard work, and feminist genre philosophy, it's the way Lara Croft has been drawn and acted since her inception. Things are looking up, however.
IGN posted a really great write-up about how Lara Croft and BioShock characters seem to be developing personalities along with their more realistic facial and boob features.
Focusing on two ads for the new Tomb Raider and BioShock games, they point out the subtle text, dialogue, and humanity of the women in the games.
The female writer of the article states, "I find myself able to relate to Lara for the first time. The massive breasts and short shorts are gone, replaced by a still beautiful, but more realistic-looking woman, with weaknesses to contrast her strengths."
Of BioShock Infinite's new character Elizabeth, she says, "I've been waiting a long time for a game to deliver a real, flesh and blood, human woman – someone with confidence and insecurities, courage and fears, power and compassion – a character I can admire and relate to."
Gamepro also featured a great article about how the main character, Shepherd, in the BioWare Mass Effect games will be featured more prominently in the new Mass Effect 3 game release promotion. Because, like, you can play Commander Shepard as either a BOY or a GIRL, but all the game trailers and commercials always feature Shepard as male. I don't even play the fucking game and even I saw that and got annoyed.
Pete Davison writes, "despite the growth of prominent female protagonists in gaming generally, it's still quite rare to see a developer go to the effort of recording all the lead character's dialog in both male and female incarnations. BioWare is still leading the way in this."
So - rejoice. All the gamers agree: equality rocks.
I get really excited when I see things like this then I remember what the fans have to say whenever talk about equality in games is brought up and it makes me weep. Then I recall how successful the new Mortal Komat is and get mad that NO ONE has addressed the fact that one main character's story was retconned so now she gets raped and murdered then brought back to life and another main character leans toward rapey early on in the game. *shakes fist at the internet*
Seriously, I am REALLY glad we're seeing this trend. I REALLY hope it keeps up. And I really hope the new Tomb Raider with the more relatable and realistic Laura Croft is massively successful!
I get really excited when I see things like this then I remember what the fans have to say whenever talk about equality in games is brought up and it makes me weep. Then I recall how successful the new Mortal Komat is and get mad that NO ONE has addressed the fact that one main character's story was retconned so now she gets raped and murdered then brought back to life and another main character leans toward rapey early on in the game. *shakes fist at the internet*
Seriously, I am REALLY glad we're seeing this trend. I REALLY hope it keeps up. And I really hope the new Tomb Raider with the more relatable and realistic Laura Croft is massively successful!
Agreed, this is one trend that needs to catch on in the gaming world. Go Laura!
If there's one thing I hate more than TheMarySue.com for ripping off my website, hard work, and feminist genre philosophy, it's the way Lara Croft has been drawn and acted since her inception. Things are looking up, however.
I get really excited when I see things like this then I remember what the fans have to say whenever talk about equality in games is brought up and it makes me weep. Then I recall how successful the new Mortal Komat is and get mad that NO ONE has addressed the fact that one main character's story was retconned so now she gets raped and murdered then brought back to life and another main character leans toward rapey early on in the game. *shakes fist at the internet*
Seriously, I am REALLY glad we're seeing this trend. I REALLY hope it keeps up. And I really hope the new Tomb Raider with the more relatable and realistic Laura Croft is massively successful!