The culture of video games as a juxtaposition to the
reversal of representative roles in gaming does not sit well. Typically female
characters in video games are weak and distressed, waiting for the aid of their
male counterpart. Shaw (2010)
defines Video Game culture as “a subculture marked by certain
tastes and as an art form” (p. 405).
I’ve never been into gaming so I have to admit creating a
concept for a game was a pretty difficult task, let alone a game that involved
a reversal of traditional roles. After contemplating the structure of my game
for some time I decided to go for the most contradictory game formation to the
typical ‘damsel in distress.’ In basic terms, my game would involve a female
hero rescuing their male ‘damsel’, to make the game interesting the characters
would be siblings, both with their own magical powers, however the villain is
particularly interested in harnessing the power of the younger brother or
‘damsel’.
According to Yaniv (2012) “role reversal is a related method, rooted
in classical role theory, in
which two individuals each take the role
of the other in an interpersonal situation and actually behave as if one is the
other, before returning to their primary selves” (p. 70). In my opinion this is
the process that is involved in interactive game play, as the player is taking
on a separate identity to complete the task set by the game.
The thing I find most interesting about Internet gaming is
that you can potentially be playing against a plethora of different cultures.
It’s morning in Melbourne, and I can be playing against someone across the
other side of the world, as they’re about to go to bed. While I may not
appreciate everything gaming has to offer, I do find the international
interconnectivity that gaming produces encapsulates the ideals that
globalisation is trying to bring forth.
Reference:
Shaw,
A. 2010, ‘What Is Video Game Culture?
Cultural Studies and Game Studies’,Games and Culture, vol. 5, no. 4, pp.
403-424
Yaniv, D 2012, 'Dynamics
of creativity and empathy in role reversal: Contributions from neuroscience',
Review Of General Psychology, 16, 1, pp. 70-77, PsycARTICLES, EBSCOhost
I really like your thinking about the female as a 'damsel in distress.' Although I do not play many games myself either I have noticed this. OR, the female characters are highly sexualised with big busts, little waists and hardly any clothing.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you could have gone into more detail about the characteristics of your characters, or the villain. Eg, is the girl smart or witty or a "dumb-blonde," how does the brother react or what is he like?
Also a good point about the interactivity and connectedness of game play across the globe.
Again, an image or video would have assisted this post.
- Andrea
Hi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI can completely relate to your post about gaming. My blog post for this week was similar to yours in the discussion of gender in relation to gaming. I am glad that I am not the only one who has the view that female characters in games are portrayed in this manner. I found it difficult to discuss the particular readings of dominant-hegemonic, negotiated and oppositional as I too am not really into gaming. It would have been helpful for your blog to provide specific examples of games that portray females in this light. Otherwise its nice to know that someone else has the same thoughts on this as I do.
Hello Shannon,
ReplyDeleteYour blog about gender cliches in gaming was interesting read especially because you included quotes from texts that I have not read. Did you think about maybe including some of Raessens ideas from the week about the three dimensions of participation of gaming. These include interpretation, reconfiguration and construction and would have worked well in helping you elaborate on your game idea. Some links and images would have worked well for entertainment and elaboration on your ideas. It is good to see that you also see the sexist storylines of many games through history.
Great work.
Thanks ~ Melissa
Hi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I can definitely relate to how you found the blog hard to write as I too am not an avid gamer. I liked how you identified gender clichés in gaming and still highlights that gender issues are still a major concern in today's society especially in sexist storylines. On a critical notes, some specific examples would be nice as well as images to help break up the written content of the blog - but given the word limit restraints I think your blog was well written although extra elaboration would of made your blog even more concise.
Overall, great post and look forward to reading more of your work!
Thanks
Hi Shannon,
ReplyDeleteI like your honesty on how you found it hard to relate to gaming because I myself have never been a gamer (and will never be one). I really like how you described the female roles in gaming...they are in fact true. Most video games portray females to be weak, vulnerable, etc however if you play the more recent games (my sister is an avid gamer), you will be able to find that the roles are changing and the female characters are beginning to be able to defend and fight for themselves. I do agree that it is interesting to be playing against various cultures globally because you can also learn about the other person at the same time. Overall, it was a good post!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Shannon, I love reading your articles since you wrote about gender issues about the game. I've never been interested in playing a video like how guys love to play video, except candy crush. In my opinion, I am interested how you argue about most of the role of women in the game as an example of weak creatures, no dignity and always suppressed though I do not play any games. I also like your opinion of how video games can create bonds with people from over the world. one of the interesting articles to read. keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteIt’s interesting to see that despite your self confessed disinterest in games your concept for a game sounds really good! The use of quotes and backing them up demonstrates understanding of themes and the topic at hand. Lack of multimedia loses points for engagement but the overall read is engaging. This game idea could be talked about more just because the initial idea really intrigues me personally and would love the hear more, I can’t think of a game based around siblings really original and the villain kidnapping a little brother I think would be a very compelling narrative device.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your post, when it comes to gaming female characters are always the ‘damsel in distress’ and it I nice to see that you reversed that role for a change. The use of quotes and referencing clearly demonstrates your understanding of the topic. That being said I would of thought this piece would have articulated better just by adding images and links, and one or more scholarly evidence could have been vital to further support your view. Still great job!
ReplyDeleteI like your enthusiasm for the online gaming world's benefits for global connectivity, and like you I have never really played any massive multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPG) so I have wondered whether real friendships ever result from online gaming contact. I have heard about conventions where people who have played, say, World of Warcraft, remotely against each other for years all come together in a single geographical location. I've also seen a great coffee table book where they had a photo of the real person on one page and the image of their in-game avatar on the facing page. Some of them were really inspiring, like the quadraplegic who played a wizard. Some were a bit sad, like the 45-year-old guy still living in his parents' basement with no job and no life but in World of Warcraft he's a muscular warrior and a leader of men. And recently there was a horrible story of a Queensland couple who let their babies starve to death - the man just left everything to the woman who spent a lot of time drinking and playing Second Life while in her first life her children were dying.
ReplyDelete