Solid SOAP
Member
There was a topic posted recently linking to a Buzzfeed video of feminists playing GTA V for the first time. In typical Buzzfeed fashion, it was created clearly for the sake of hits and stirring up "controversy" moreso than it was created with the intention of informing its viewers of actual problematic elements within the game and how we as a community of gamers can be more mindful of these toxic cultural elements. Poster 'hobblygobbly' pointed this out in his post, linking to a far more interesting blogpost written by an anonymous feminist:
It's painfully obvious that this just exists to drum up controversy/drama. It doesn't offer any insight. It's typical buzzfeed.
There are proper GTA critiques by feminists out there, I read this one back when the game originally released (there are many more out there). It was the first one I read: https://feministborgia.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/grand-theft-auto-v-a-feminists-review/
I implore you all read it in its entirety on your own. It's not like incredibly well written or anything, but it is nice to see an unbiased perspective on a game that is genuinely sexist, in a media that is in dire need of cultural change. One thing to keep in mind though is this: IT IS POSSIBLE TO CRITICIZE SEXISM/TRANSPHOBIA/HOMOPHOBIA/ANY ELEMENT OF TOXIC CULTURE IN MEDIA YOU ENJOY. I love GTA V, it is a true guilty pleasure for me. Cruising through Los Santos can be anywhere from relaxing to heart-pounding. It is as much a treat to look at as it is to play, I love it. However, my enjoyment of the game was hampered when I realized that I could spend quality time with Michael's son Jimmy, but not his daughter. When I see signs that say "SMELL LIKE A BITCH," I am not offended but I question the humor in it to begin with, and wonder what the women I spend time with think of me when I am immersed in a world that portrays them as two-dementional whores.