Support NeoGAF

[Syntsui]

Life is Strange is a bad example because she's in high school, if they did sexualize her it would be gross and illegal

Have you ever played a japanese RPG?

 

[CryptiK]

I just can't this video is awful, It's as if she hasn't played Arkham City look at Nightwing for crying out loud, or even Batmans Alt costumes and then goes on to cherry pick Third Person shooters that don't show lower half female or not. And the point on Beyond Good and Evil... Wuuuuut.

 

[AmuroChan]

I was 17 when I graduated high school

Max is 18, mentioned multiple times in the game.

 

[IvorB]

I'm definitely not saying there isn't exceptions. The point is that male fashion generally does not put emphasis on ass, where as female fashion does. Games tend to exaggerate real life, so that's what we get.

But men in video games are often not wearing everyday fashion so that's moot really. She discussed specific examples of male characters wearing skin-tight, form-fitting clothing yet the butt is still de-emphasised.

 

[Berserker976]

I remember she brought this up in a talk I saw of hers a while ago, and it honestly blew my mind how I never noticed this sort of thing. I definitely understood this in cutscenes, but it never occurred to me that the camera as it's being controlled can do the same thing. It's all about what it's framing, and what it allows to be framed.

Yeah, same for me. I mean, I noticed female characters' butts were focused on and sexualized because how could you not. I just never realized that it was so clearly in the opposite direction for male characters, so much that the camera and clothing designs work to prevent it.

I think this was one of her more interesting and well presented episodes with lots of clear examples, and counter examples.

 

[Jumplion]

Isn't she in college?

Anyway, like most of these videos they raise good points in a silly way. Lines like "Lara Crofts butt is at the centre of the screen" are just odd when, in actual fact, Lara Croft is at the centre of the screen, so where else would her butt be? I's sure there is a focus on Lara's body in that game but it's an odd way to portray the idea. Seems to overlook the fact that women are simply built different to men too.

Then on the other hand, you have that fucking absurd Catwoman footage, and (some of) the stuff about men's butts being covered and there's obviously an effort by developers towards this end.

I guess I find these videos kind of scattershot. She takes aim at everyone without really considering games on a case-by-case basis, which is a shame because she clearly has good points to make.

Well, if you notice some of the other examples, mostly with men, the characters are center screen but the camera is usually close enough so that it's mostly the torso or the chest area that's at the true center of the screen, with their lower ends either cut off or just barley on screen. Like, notice with Uncharted, his feet are near the bottom of the screen, whereas with Laura the camera is pulled fairly far away and her lower body is closer to the actual center.

 

[Memorabilia]

Yes, these designs are made to pander to you.

Lol Time to buy a sense of humor.

 

[Rad-]

Though there's male butt shots in ME games as well.

Also poor Shepard is trying his hardest not to take a look.

 

[samn]

Though tbh there's male butt shots in ME games as well.

that butt just looks weird and scaly to me.

 

[Finaika]

Anyway, like most of these videos they raise good points in a silly way. Lines like "Lara Crofts butt is at the centre of the screen" are just odd when, in actual fact, Lara Croft is at the centre of the screen, so where else would her butt be? I's sure there is a focus on Lara's body in that game but it's an odd way to portray the idea. Seems to overlook the fact that women are simply built different to men too.

She could be at the center of the screen without her butt being there.

 

[-tetsuo-]

Seems like a character design issue more than anything. Complaining that Batmans cape covers his ass while Catwomans is visible is.... Strange. Although they sex up Selena HARD in those games lol

 

[LPride]

Life is Strange is a bad example because she's in high school, if they did sexualize her it would be gross and illegal

So were all the characters in Cabin in the Woods, Not Another Teen Movie, American Pie, etc, etc, etc.

 

[EatinOlives]

Telling.

Every video in the account has disabled comments from the endless deluge of internet harassment and bullying that they started to get.

 

[halfbeast]

I'm definitely not saying there isn't exceptions. The point is that male fashion generally does not put emphasis on ass, where as female fashion does. Games tend to exaggerate real life, so that's what we get.

Compression shorts alone can account for the difference. The problem is that the range of flattering and form-fitting men's clothes doesn't get the same sort of focus in media, especially games.

I know, I know! I'm not saying there's fair play when it comes to anyone's butt-preference, especially in gaming. I was super pissed when I found out there's a thong in dragon's dogma and it's the one item that's female only! and that game had a crossdressing quest ffs!

 

[sensui-tomo]

I watched it to see the butts. tbh

So were all the characters in Cabin in the Woods, Not Another Teen Movie, American Pie, etc, etc, etc.

Uh, i think you got the wrong movie, those are definitely college students.

 

[SliceSabre]

I'm not all that into butts so I guess this is something I never notice useless it is extremely in your face.

 

[PinballRJ]

So were all the characters in Cabin in the Woods, Not Another Teen Movie, American Pie, etc, etc, etc.

maybe those movies should take place in college then

 

[Memorabilia]

Girls wear yoga pants because they are comfortable, not because they want to show off their butts.


























what?

Lol Not sure if serious. It's almost as if people actually believe that sex appeal is inherently bad and women who enjoy flaunting it are somehow rare like unicorns.

 

[DannyDanger]

some of the SFV designs are just abhorrent.

defending them is something ill never understand

that wrestler chick? are you kidding?

If you like the butts you like the butts...

If it offends you, it offends you

To each his own, nobody has to "defend" anything

 

[ekgrey]

I was 17 when I graduated high school

Congratulations? Max is 18, it's explicitly stated multiple times. She's just had her birthday and gets messages from both her parents. She talks a lot about herself and Chloe and her classmates being adults, as well.

 

[IvorB]

I just can't this video is awful, It's as if she hasn't played Arkham City look at Nightwing for crying out loud, or even Batmans Alt costumes and then goes on to cherry pick Third Person shooters that don't show lower half female or not. And the point on Beyond Good and Evil... Wuuuuut.

If you have some counter-examples why not show us?

 

[Fantastapotamus]

Telling.

Yes, just imagine the helpfull and wise insight we could have if only the Youtube comments were enabled. It would solve sexism forever.

 

[plagiarize]

While I think Sarkeesian has made a good point here, I don't know that I agree with her conclusion that 'equal opportunity butt displays aren't the answer here'.

She seems to want no female characters sexualized, which I can understand, but really I think sometimes men and women want to play as, or look at, a sexy character. The problem as I see it is the massive imbalance currently at play, which brings with it certain pressures as to what is and isn't to be expected of men and women in games, and men and women in general.

Most characters in these games shouldn't be sexualized, male or female... but there should be an equal number of sexualized male and female characters to allow everyone to indulge in a little fantasy from time to time.

It can't ever be the norm... and I'd definitely encourage game designers not to sexualize their female characters unnecessarily as step one, but I absolutely wouldn't discourage a single character designer from sexualizing a male character should they want. Go for it. There aren't nearly enough sexualized males in gaming.

Maybe this is just coming from a Resident Evil fan (a franchise that at least does sexualized male characters from time to time), a DOA fan (yes yes the woman are horrendously sexualized, but many of the guys are too) AND a fan of Clive Barker's Undying. Not that you can see Galloway's butt, but he absolutely is a sexualized male character because Clive Barker rejected the original protagonist because 'he didn't want to fuck him'. So there you go.

 

[mnz]

that butt just looks weird and scaly to me.

I'm pretty sure that's shopped.

 

[Raist]

Yes, I'm sure Batman wears a cape and Assassins in AC wear such outfit etc, to make sure we can't look at their butts.

 

[Pop-O-Matic]

I'm pretty sure that's shopped.

Nope, there are multiple unnecessary shots of Miranda's ass in ME2.

 

[Garrett Hawke]

I'm pretty sure that's shopped.

Shockingly, it's not.

 

[Jumplion]

Lol Not sure if serious. It's almost as if people actually believe that sex appeal is inherently bad and women who enjoy flaunting it are somehow rare like unicorns.

The fact that you're assuming that a woman wearing yoga pants is automatically "flaunting it" is part of the problem.

 

[Grover]

So were all the characters in Cabin in the Woods, Not Another Teen Movie, American Pie, etc, etc, etc.

the authorities have been notified

 

[dickgumshoe]

I very much disagree with this video... More emphasis to the male butt!

 

[mnz]

Nope, there are multiple unnecessary shots of Miranda's ass in ME2.

Shockingly, it's not.

Well then they aren't consistent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaKQk8D7hWU
NSFW probably.

 

[Johnny Cage In The Shower]

I "worship" my gf's perfectly shaped butt every morning when she gets out of the shower and walks in the bedroom to get dressed.

She enjoys and loves my fascination with her butt. But, after watching this video, I feel ashamed and feel like a pervert for wanting to kiss my gf's butt! ugh...

I don't want to like admiring her butt anymore. Her and I should have a talk tonight.

 

[sensui-tomo]

I'm pretty sure that's shopped.

Nope, thats a real thing you get in game. When i showed the game to my friend they laughed at that scene (since it happens when you talk to her in her room/office(whatever)) Bioware knows its fanbase.

 

[Scientist Supreme!]

I very much disagree with this video... More emphasis to the male butt!

.

 

[John Kowalski]

I think everyone should watch this video about sexual objectification before having an opinion about Sarkeesian's video. Nice 101.

Especially the dude who posted below me.

 

[Jonneh3003]

Womens butts are sexier. If that were a male character in the GIF it wouldn't be anywhere near as appealing, at least not in my opinion. I don't think it's necessary for this to be a staple of a character or for certain cut scenes to focus on the buttocks but there's a reason male characters don't flaunt their butts often. MGS4 gave everyone a great butt but is that the solution? Maybe, people like butts.

 

[SkeptiMism]

While I think Sarkeesian has made a good point here, I don't know that I agree with her conclusion that 'equal opportunity butt displays aren't the answer here'.

She seems to want no female characters sexualized, which I can understand, but really I think sometimes men and women want to play as, or look at, a sexy character. The problem as I see it is the massive imbalance currently at play, which brings with it certain pressures as to what is and isn't to be expected of men and women in games, and men and women in general.

Most characters in these games shouldn't be sexualized, male or female... but there should be an equal number of sexualized male and female characters to allow everyone to indulge in a little fantasy from time to time.

It can't ever be the norm... and I'd definitely encourage game designers not to sexualize their female characters unnecessarily as step one, but I absolutely wouldn't discourage a single character designer from sexualizing a male character should they want. Go for it. There aren't nearly enough sexualized males in gaming.

Maybe this is just coming from a Resident Evil fan (a franchise that at least does sexualized male characters from time to time), a DOA fan (yes yes the woman are horrendously sexualized, but many of the guys are too) AND a fan of Clive Barker's Undying. Not that you can see Galloway's butt, but he absolutely is a sexualized male character because Clive Barker rejected the original protagonist because 'he didn't want to fuck him'. So there you go.

I'll admit I haven't watched that many of her videos, but I don't think she thinks like that. I'm pretty sure it's just about that it's so frequent and imbalanced.

 

[Kinsei]

Womens butts are sexier. If that were a male character in the GIF it wouldn't be anywhere near as appealing, at least not in my opinion. I don't think it's necessary for this to be a staple of a character or for certain cut scenes to focus on the buttocks but there's a reason male characters don't flaunt their butts often. MGS4 gave everyone a great butt but is that the solution? Maybe, people like butts.

Quick question, are you a straight guy or have a preference for women? If that's the case then no shit you think women's butts are sexier.

 

[PinballRJ]

http://gamebutts.club

 

[Memorabilia]

The fact that you're assuming that a woman wearing yoga pants is automatically "flaunting it" is part of the problem.

*sigh* No, the problem is people injecting over the top politically correct nonsense into every discussion, setting up bullshit straw-man arguments, and neglecting to use common sense in understanding the fact that extremes on either side of these discussions are false dichotomies. Human nature doesn't break down along your convenient little rule set that you apparently want to impose on others. Thanks, but no thanks.

 

[Golnei]

Quick question, are you a straight guy or have a preference for women? If that's the case then no shit you think women's butts are sexier.

Women's butts are just inherently sexier. You don't have to be attracted to them to acknowledge that objective truth.

 

[IvorB]

Womens butts are sexier. If that were a male character in the GIF it wouldn't be anywhere near as appealing, at least not in my opinion. I don't think it's necessary for this to be a staple of a character or for certain cut scenes to focus on the buttocks but there's a reason male characters don't flaunt their butts often. MGS4 gave everyone a great butt but is that the solution? Maybe, people like butts.

Um... I don't know how to break this to you dude, but different people find different things sexy.

 

[Shake Appeal]

Womens butts are sexier.

To you, maybe! And that's still like, your culturally and biologically conditioned opinion, man.

 

[domlolz]

Though there's male butt shots in ME games as well.

Also poor Shepard is trying his hardest not to take a look.

i think this is probably the most legit complaint out of nearly all the ones in the video, its meant to be a serious conversation and the camera angle completely undermines any of the drama. its just stupid.

 

[CryptiK]

If you have some counter-examples why not show us?

ME Series, Fallout Series, Elder Scrolls Series, GTA, The Entire Metal Gear Series, Even though she uses Uncharted as an example, there is no butt covering in that series, Just Cause Series, Wife Beater Max Payne from 3, As said before Nightwing in the Arkhamverse(hell in AK Batgirl has a Cape covering her ass). I can list more, but then I'd be doing what she is and cherry picking, the only point that I can say I completely agree with is the Cover Art(Not including Beyond Good and Evil).

 

[Kinsei]

Women's butts are just inherently sexier. You don't have to be attracted to them to acknowledge that objective truth.

What? If then you really think that's the case then you've been really affected by the over sexualization of women in the media. There are a ton of really sexy asses on men out there.

 

[KeigoNiwa]

I don't think using catwoman and Bayonetta as examples helps their argument, as those are two characters that use their sexuality to their advantage.

Also, in general, I would argue that most women wear clothing that makes their bodies look appealing where as most men wear clothing that is comfortable to maneuver in. Obviously there are exceptions, but I just feel like some of the character designs that are on offer is just based around typical fashion trends and not so much on, how can I emphasize or cover up this character's body.

Also, the whole cloth thing, I personally feel that's just meant to look cool or look technically impressive on a physics aspect. I love looking at how well cloth moves haha.

Anyway, I will say that the camera angles surprised me! I'm not sure I'm convinced that it's completely intentional, but I do feel that needs to be fixed.

 

[maquiladora]

Good video, pity it's so short.

The objectification is blatant as hell. Really hope developers are taking note of her videos.

 

[balohna]

But...I like butts.

Not sure I see the problem here. Art imitates (and sometimes exaggerates) life. On a daily basis, I see far more women than men wearing tight/form-fitting clothing. Praise God for yoga pants.

Probably why Until Dawn didn't get called out despite all the females wearing tight pants.

Or she didn't play it, maybe. Solid game for female representation overall.

 

[Johnny Cage In The Shower]

oops