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[Doctor Ironic]

looks like thermals to me.

Yeah, sure, perfectly ass-hugging thermals.

Like the thread title says - laughably convenient.

Overwatch is a game that is designed from every facet to be the most perfectly marketable game possible. All the women are waifu material, whether or not it actually makes sense for them. Play of the Game is designed to get posted on Reddit. Lumping kills and assists into the same category of "eliminations" makes sure nobody feels bad. Etcetera.

 

[PKrockin]

I am perfectly ok with lewdotypical imagery in my video games.

Interests:
the study of trapology and obsessing over reverse penis-envy

interesting

 

[cuilan]

interesting

Well, they wouldn't be interests if they weren't interesting, now would they?

 

[.JayZii]

I hope they add in some badass older women in the future. Preferably not "old woman in sexy lady robo-cyber exoskeleton with a helmet on", either.

Speaking of WoW, I want the original troll female models back.

They looked so cool! Shame they had to change the models to be "sexier".

Check out the latest Oglaf if you want a laugh on this subject. I'd link it here, but Oglaf is not a very work safe comic.

I think they just made the Tauren females look creepy. Nobody ever seemed to play them back when I was playing WoW, either.

 

[Eumi]

I haven't seen it brought up but some people are saying that if they did add an old woman they'd just cover them up with armour, but isn't that what they did with the old men? Ignoring Tor (since he doesn't fit into this) reaper, Reinhardt and S76 all cover basically everything with armour. S76 and reaper both have alts where they're not covered up... and they're young versions of them. I mean this doesn't counter the actual problem of not having old female characters, but it does seem to imply that they kind of don't want old people olding up the place at all, since most of the old people are wearing armour that has been designed to look appealing rather than showing off their grandpa faces.

I guess what I'm getting at is whether or not this really is an issue with old women, or old people in general? I suppose we'll actually see when we get our first old woman, because until then it's pretty damn hard not to think that being female comes into it.

 

[PKrockin]

Well, they wouldn't be interests if they weren't interesting, now would they?

Indeed.

 

[Langdon Alger]

When I google "ludotypical" I don't get any result except this thread. What does ludotypical mean?

 

[Moonkid]

You're on the money OP and I'm glad more people seem to have noticed. I love Overwatch for its diversity, but there's obvious steps to make it better.

 

[Rudimental]

If we go truly into the lore it's actually an Orc-Dranei hybrid.

Who conveniently just happens to look very human.

It is one of the truly stupid retcons and a great example of what fucking with timelines leads to.

 

[Doctor Ironic]

Also I just want to remind you guys that the infamously-controversial ass on Tracer literally only looks like that because her crack goes two-thirds of the way through her body:

https://youtu.be/ZmLkVtqjf1A?t=1108

Blizzard is willing to literally compromise the anatomy of their characters in order to shove sexualization into every female character in the game whether or not it makes sense. Tracer's legs would probably fall off while running, but her deformed ass has become a battleground for stupid people on the internet to use to prove how much better they are than crazy people on Tumblr, and the end result is people hilariously worshipping an unimpressive, flat, white-girl ass because it's all they have dammit.

 

[Ten]

Yeah, sure, perfectly ass-hugging thermals.

Like the thread title says - laughably convenient.

Overwatch is a game that is designed from every facet to be the most perfectly marketable game possible. All the women are waifu material, whether or not it actually makes sense for them. Play of the Game is designed to get posted on Reddit. Lumping kills and assists into the same category of "eliminations" makes sure nobody feels bad. Etcetera.

You are tremendously stretching. How can Zarya be a waifu when Zenyatta is overtly sexier.

When I google "ludotypical" I don't get any result except this thread. What does ludotypical mean?

It isn't even a word afaik.

 

[Doctor Ironic]

"Play of the Game is designed to get posted on Reddit"

This is hyperbolic.

Would you like to explain why you believe that?

Play of the game is a twenty-second, easily webm-able clip showcasing the most impressive snippet of a match. That's literally what r/gaming is made of.

e: or just edit it out of your post fuckin lol

 

[Eumi]

Would you like to explain why you believe that?

Play of the game is a twenty-second, easily webm-able clip showcasing the most impressive snippet of a match. That's literally what r/gaming is made of.

Are you trying to say this is a bad thing? Because it kind of sounds like you are, but the thing you're literally saying is that the highlight is designed to be a highlight and will likely get posted on a place where highlights are shared.

 

[.JayZii]

When I google "ludotypical" I don't get any result except this thread. What does ludotypical mean?

"Ludo" means "game" in Latin, so "typical of games". Remember the "Ludonarrative Dissonance" discussions about Uncharted 3 that were all the rage a few years back?

People writing about games have few words to describe them without writing the word "game" over and over again, so they all jump on any new vocabulary that becomes useful to them. The same reason why there are a lot of people who write about "experiences" and the like, as well.

 

[Ten]

Would you like to explain why you believe that?

Play of the game is a twenty-second, easily webm-able clip showcasing the most impressive snippet of a match. That's literally what r/gaming is made of.

e: or just edit it out of your post fuckin lol

I think it's far too niche a activity or goal for the dev team to design towards. Who gives a fuck about r/gaming?

 

[UltimaPooh]

Certainly we could use more Women in games who are older than the 30's.

They're getting there tho... baby steps... right now it's all about getting females into positive non sex object roles. Then we can expand on that into different age groups and many different body types.

So you definitely have a point there OP.

But I also think that the reason so many are around that age is because... the majority of gamers are that age and they probably identify more with those type of characters.

 

[Doctor Ironic]

Are you trying to say this is a bad thing? Because it kind of sounds like you are, but the thing you're literally saying is that the highlight is designed to be a highlight and will likely get posted on a place where highlights are shared.

No, I'm trying to say that Overwatch is so desperate to be marketable that it'll compromise itself for the sake of it. Play of the Game is a smart design decision, making your cast into a creepy harem is not - but they both serve the same purpose.

I think it's far too niche a activity or goal for the dev team to design towards.

The 27th-biggest site on the entire internet is not niche. Nor is the entire activity of condensing a single match down into a few seconds when the other biggest websites are Facebook, Twitter, and Vine.

 

[Ten]

No, I'm trying to say that Overwatch is so desperate to be marketable that it'll compromise itself for the sake of it. Play of the Game is a smart design decision, making your cast into a creepy harem is not - but they both serve the same purpose.



The 27th-biggest site on the entire internet is not niche.

r/gaming is the 27th biggest site on the entire internet?

Had you said WhatsApp or even Twitter I would have agreed!

 

[Doctor Ironic]

r/gaming is the 27th biggest site on the entire internet?

It's a default subreddit on the 27th biggest site on the internet.

You're being willfully obtuse.

 

[Confounding Factor]

Isn't Overwatch's incredibly stereotypical cliche characters adds to the charm of the game?

What I mean by that is just look at how the characters are designed, what their personalities are, etc. Of course DVa would pilot a pink mech that came out of a '90s mecha anime and would have all the typical Japanese/Korean cliches. McGree is just as cliched with all his "Man With No Name"-isms. I could go on and on.

I don't have a problem with that at all, I think the roster is incredibly diverse and covers such a wide cultural gamut. Really the lack of cultural hegemony is to the game's strength.

When I first played Overwatch I cracked myself up with the characters and what their abilities were and said to myself "Yep that's exactly how this character would play like or act"

I hope other developers are taking notes in how character design should be done, Overwatch is par excellence.

 

[Yabberwocky]

I'd noticed too, OP. I'm hoping they'll add some older female characters in. I'm looking forward to seeing what Blizzard do with Sombra, at least.

 

[Langdon Alger]

"Ludo" means "game" in Latin, so "typical of games". Remember the "Ludonarrative Dissonance" discussions about Uncharted 3 that were all the rage a few years back?

People writing about games have few words to describe them without writing the word "game" over and over again, so they all jump on any new vocabulary that becomes useful to them. The same reason why there are a lot of people who write about "experiences" and the like, as well.

Ah. Thanks.

 

[Doctor Ironic]

I don't have a problem with that at all, I think the roster is incredibly diverse and covers such a wide cultural gamut. Really the lack of cultural hegemony is to the game's strength.

That's the problem - the men are diverse, the women are not. They're all under 40 even when it requires ridiculous justifications in order for them to be that way.

 

[BumblebeeCody]

Yeah...it's kind of ridiculous. Reminds me of fighting games, with the lengths they will go to physically de-age older female characters.

Tekken is pretty bad at this. It's like some Anime shit or something.

 

[UltimaPooh]

That's the problem - the men are diverse, the women are not. They're all under 40 even when it requires ridiculous justifications in order for them to be that way.

True.

But the average gamer age is 31... and about half are female.

So that could have something to do with why they are in or around their 30's... because more people would identify with that range.

Also.... I would like to know why Toblorone counts... he's not even a human male is he?

Certainly Reinhardt is the best example of someone who looks their age. Soldier 76 doesn't look his age... and neither does Reaper as he is covered in a mask and long clothes.

So really it just comes down to their bio and a number being slapped on them saying they are that age.

Not saying that we couldn't use more diversity in ages in women... we most certainly could. I am just point out that the majority of the male characters don't even have their age on display.

 

[BHK3]

Are you trying to say this is a bad thing? Because it kind of sounds like you are, but the thing you're literally saying is that the highlight is designed to be a highlight and will likely get posted on a place where highlights are shared.

Since the system is based off of points and a whole 'look at me look at me' design reteretic, yes it is a bad thing. You jump into 4 people press a button and you get a feel good camera at the end of the game. This leads to the very marketable look of the game; awesome hot babes wearing skin tight clothes, unoffensive appealing cell shading, and removal of any sort of team weight by pooling kills/assists together. This is basically the League of Legends approach, but keep in mind that none of this is technically a bad thing. I personally just view it as shallow game design, my problem is that certain developers get a pass while others get vilified for doing the same thing. OP's point is right that the character selection is diverse while at the same time it isn't.

 

[Ten]

It's a default subreddit on the 27th biggest site on the internet.

You're being willfully obtuse.

Genuinely, I'm not. I don't see why you think these things would be on the forefront of dev's minds, but continuing this would make you more irate so I'll just leave it.

So,
What response would people like to see from Blizzard about this? Retroactive character redesigns? Dismantling of current dlc plans to address this? A narrative shift? I haven't read the thread much, watching Germany in the Euros, so this might have already been answered.

 

[UltimaPooh]

Genuinely, I'm not. I don't see why you think these things would be on the forefront of dev's minds, but continuing this would make you more irate so I'll just leave it.

So,
What response would people like to see from Blizzard about this? Retroactive character redesigns? Dismantling of current dlc plans to address this? A narrative shift? I haven't read the thread much, watching Germany in the Euros, so this might have already been answered.

Don't think anyone is calling for that... just for future games and any other DLC to maybe give it some thought.

 

[balohna]

Better representation and diversity is cool, but of course Blizzard is going to be inclusive in a marketable way. They want the game to sell and they want players to want to play dress-up with these characters. An older woman would be cool, but to a certain extent they're playing it safe.

 

[Zaventem]

Since the system is based off of points and a whole 'look at me look at me' design reteretic, yes it is a bad thing. You jump into 4 people press a button and you get a feel good camera at the end of the game. This leads to the very marketable look of the game; awesome hot babes wearing skin tight clothes, unoffensive appealing cell shading, and removal of any sort of team weight by pooling kills/assists together. This is basically the League of Legends approach, but keep in mind that none of this is technically a bad thing. I personally just view it as shallow game design, my problem is that certain developers get a pass while others get vilified for doing the same thing. OP's point is right that the character selection is diverse while at the same time it isn't.

Pooling kills and assist together is the best thing that happened for a team game in the longest time. No "you stole my kill" stupidity.

 

[Confounding Factor]

That's the problem - the men are diverse, the women are not. They're all under 40 even when it requires ridiculous justifications in order for them to be that way.

I could see the case of making Symmetra older.

But I disagree that ageism matters, especially in games. I'll give you the argument when it comes to film but games I don't think so. I can't imagine what kind of character could be designed that would make a 65 year old woman work here, she'd have to ascribe to some new-agey aesthetic and slim, maybe a Zenyatta type.

There's probably been a lot of market research that has been done on this, old characters are hard to advertise not outside of a Viagra commercial. Demographically the majority of people that play games are in their youth and will probably stay that way until medical science reverses the decline in reflexes and stamina for old folks.

 

[Satch]

But I disagree that ageism matters, especially in games. I'll give you the argument when it comes to film but games I don't think so. I can't imagine what kind of character could be designed that would make a 65 year old woman work here, she'd have to ascribe to some new-agey aesthetic and slim, maybe a Zenyatta type.

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ci47P7fUoAAM5lg.jpg


;__;

 

[veloxStrix]

I don't think it's laughably convenient anything considering it's a fictional world made by some guys at Blizz, but that's about as far as my thoughts go.

If any Blizzard devs see this and want to hire me, I can make mock-ups all day. For free. Just give me food and water.

 

[Haly]

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ci47P7fUoAAM5lg.jpg


;__;

Mi abuela

 

[killertofu]

I mean Mei is Chinese so she could be 41 and it wouldn't matter because azn genes.

Edit:
I've been playing Overwatch since launch and OP's description of the characters is probably the most information I've had on story and backstory since playing. I literally have no idea what the story is about, except from random quips the characrters throw at each other before a match starts. And that Dva is a gamer gremlin thing

 

[Aselith]

Man, in what world is Zarya considered cute?

----------------------------------

I think the game could do better in this regard but hopefully their post release support will correct it.

 

[Einchy]

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ci47P7fUoAAM5lg.jpg


;__;

 

[suzu]

Yeah, I'd like to see more diverse body types and older female characters. Hopefully Sombra fits at least one of those?

I disagree with the criticism that Mei doesn't look her age (31) though.

 

[Biltmore]

Op isn't wrong, but why do you think the game has sold 10 million copies? Blizzard isn't stupid and they carefully crafted this female line up in order to rack up the sales. As good as Overwatch is, and it's really good, the gameplay isn't what sold all those copies.

 

[PSqueak]

Just needs a play of the game text splattered on it.

Spoiler

The character's name wouldn't fly with the PC crowd tho, she's a product of her era.

 

[Zaventem]

Op isn't wrong, but why do you think the game has sold 10 million copies? Blizzard isn't stupid and they carefully crafted this female line up in order to rack up the sales. As good as Overwatch is, and it's really good, the gameplay isn't what sold all those copies.

Yes, i bought it to jerk off.

 

[Malice215]

It's ridiculous how there's plenty of games with older male characters, but companies play it safe with the female characters and keep them young, have some stupid reasoning for why an existing character hasn't aged, or just replace them with an younger and or hotter version.

And it's crazy for Overwatch to feature so much diversity but not one woman over the age of 40. Older women need love too.

 

[Aselith]

One thing to consider is that "looking your age" is relative and like soldier 76 really looks like a young dude maybe early 40's just with grey hair. Being in really good shape keeps you young looking so they can make older women who aren't like bent over grandmas.

Here's oldie 76's face

 

[psylah]

Old people are disgusting.

I wish Logan's Run was real.

 

[FartOfWar]

Who is plagiarizing who? http://www.techtimes.com/articles/1...s-form-sexism-plagues-blizzards-overwatch.htm (time stamp suggets the site swiped the gripe)

 

[The Omega Man]

Yes, i bought it to jerk off.

Oh my!

 

[RapidCancel]

If Mei is supposed to be wearing clothing that protects her from the cold, why the fuck is she wearing yoga pants?

Interestingly enough, we saw a lot of this in Japan every winter. My wife is always commenting about how the girls on the street can wear these big thick jackets, a beanie, ear muffs and then...a skirt and yoga pants.

 

[BamfMeat]

Here's oldie 76's face

He's schmexy. I don't know why I hadn't seen that before.

Yes, i bought it to jerk off.

Me too!

Spoiler

Hanzo can be my new daddybear. #kiddingbutnotkidding

OP - I agree. I would love to see more age variances in the ladies. I had no idea that Mercy was in her 40s - though after reading that and thinking about her voice, it makes more sense.

 

[mindsale]

Who is plagiarizing who? http://www.techtimes.com/articles/1...s-form-sexism-plagues-blizzards-overwatch.htm (time stamp suggets the site swiped the gripe)

Yeah, they plagiarized my gripe.

I posited that with reduced oxygen and slowed heartbeat came slowed aging.

 

[FartOfWar]

Yeah, they plagiarized my gripe.

I posited that with reduced oxygen and slowed heartbeat came slowed aging.

Shitty of them not to acknowledge their source for the entire story.