This fetishized in-game ad from Cyberpunk 2077 raises some questions about how the game may depict LGBT (NSFW) [See Staff Post Before Posting]

[Suicide King]

Again keep in mind that as I said I have 0 context on CDP previous statements about the LGBT community or anything related to it, just like my friend so maybe we kinda lost because of it but still it really bugged me how can a trans person could be happy with this image and a lot of users that are not trans are so offended with it ?

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Because it's not just representation. It's fetishized representation. The penis is there to inform you that the girl is trans, but also to make you feel like she's sexy because of it. Like an exciting thing to be stared at.

A good parallel would be the fetishization of black men and their penis' sizes. Some are not offended, but even if you are a black guy with a big penis, this kind of treatment dehumanizes you and continues to objectify not only the ones who are not offended. Remember: not every person wants to be considered a sexual object, especially when this also comes with inherent dehumanization and violence. Trans people are the same: transgender pornography is not good representation. Showing trans women as sexy girls with dicks is not good representation.

 

[Finalrush]

This twitter take is incorrect though, I think I saw you posting another tweet by this person yesterday, is this the only trans person you know on twitter? Why are they an authority on anything? The ad in game is world building a post gender world where gender fluidity is fetishized to sell products, you know that thing all of lgbtq+ twitter was making fun of all of last week on twitter when #brands were talking about how progressive they were? This is the cyberpunk equivalent.

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You are giving CDPR *way* too much credit here. If the ad is supposed to be a commentary on "woke" brands improperly fetishizing peoples' identities, it's not effectively conveying that, and considering CDPR's track record, it seems extremely dubious to believe that was their thought process behind this.

 

[PrintedCrayon]

In case you missed it, I replied to you as well:

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Same to you! I appreciate the discourse has been so polite toward me after initially feeling very nervous about entering the topic when my views may be seen to be a bit controversial.

As I stated in my reply, I'm certainly not going to bat for CDPR given their history with this exact type of thing but I am hopeful this is a greater indication of the world they're building and it isn't being used as a joke.

Having read that twitter thread about "girl dick" I can see how the imagery and text may be problematic for transpeople.

 

[Kyuuji]

Who is this anonymous person? I don't why it's brought up because it doesn't even explain anything at all.

Some people here also come off as xenophobic. I hope it's not the case but the amount of implications and generalization towards Polish people tells different

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...like?

 

[floridaguy954]

A non-binary person with sexual body modifications being used as a sort of fetishized marketing tool fits a cyberpunk world pretty well honestly.

I understand that CDPR's history on this stuff is terrible, but I don't know.

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Yup but I also agree that CDPR does not deserve the benefit of the doubt.

 

[SEVEN777]

Is it not allowed to create controversial portrayals of LGBT persons in movies or games? I understood the uproar of the "Did you assume their gender" tweet, but in my opinion the LGBT community is a bit too sensitive. Everything is transphobic or homophobic etc. when a LGBT person is not displayed in the most careful, harmonic and sensitive way smh

 

[hydrophilic attack]

cdpr and gog are clearly going for the gamergate audience

don't support their games

 

[Persephone]

Is it not allowed to create controversial portrayals of LGBT persons in movies or games? I understood the uproar of the "Did you assume their gender" tweet, but in my opinion the LGBT community is a bit too sensitive. Everything is transphobic or homophobic etc. when a LGBT person is not displayed in the most careful, harmonic and sensitive way smh

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I'll tell you what is homo/transphobic... this fucking post

 

[Lentic]

...like?

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Reverse racism!

 

[Bubukill]

When I first saw this picture yesterday, I got really confused and I'm still really confused about whether that is a dick or not.

 

[Alucrid]

Is it not allowed to create controversial portrayals of LGBT persons in movies or games? I understood the uproar of the "Did you assume their gender" tweet, but in my opinion the LGBT community is a bit too sensitive. Everything is transphobic or homophobic etc. when a LGBT person is not displayed in the most careful, harmonic and sensitive way smh

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wait until this person finds out what month it is

 

[M.J.]

This feels less like an attempt at trans representation and more like 1 environmental artist that was really into futanari

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Definitely strikes me as the same too.

 

[Z-Beat]

That's not an image I thought I'd be waking up to today. Is it supposed to be intentionally bad from a commentary perspective like Detroit's ads or did someone from the art department just fuck up? Based on the tone that these dystopian future stories have I'd assume the former but wouldn't doubt the latter

 

[Finalrush]

Is it not allowed to create controversial portrayals of LGBT persons in movies or games? I understood the uproar of the "Did you assume their gender" tweet, but in my opinion the LGBT community is a bit too sensitive. Everything is transphobic or homophobic etc. when a LGBT person is not displayed in the most careful, harmonic and sensitive way smh

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Trash take. Imagine calling an entire community too sensitive for being a punching bag in every medium for decades (and during pride month).

 

[Deleted member 37928]

This is highlighting a different kind of problem. CDPR has a history of anti-trans actions. They are also in a country which has not undergone an acceptance/inclusion movement. I think expecting them to be inclusive and understanding is unfortunately out of the question considering their environment. This is the problem. A good portion of the world falls under this category. A category in which the culture itself is bigoted at the root. They will look at us here in the USA and laugh for our inclusive movement and continue about their merry day. So what should we do? I think the answer just simply has to be boycotting and moving on. Raging will just make them go further into bigotism.

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They mention in the Twitter discussion that there are several trans people working at the company, as artists, voice actors etc. And apparently they have good relations with them. I don't think things are as simple as you put it because clearly they are under the influence of a lot of trans people that they have accepted into the company. How they then chose to represent them, well that's the real mystery.

 

[Kyuuji]

Is it not allowed to create controversial portrayals of LGBT persons in movies or games? I understood the uproar of the "Did you assume their gender" tweet, but in my opinion the LGBT community is a bit too sensitive. Everything is transphobic or homophobic etc. when a LGBT person is not displayed in the most careful, harmonic and sensitive way smh

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[Deleted member 51539]

If there is a recurring theme of ads being fucked up, then it's actually alright and could be used for world building. Not expecting it though.

I really want to believe this is a case of Hanlon's razor but the company history makes me think otherwise.

 

[NHarmonic.]

This is pretty much my thought as well.

Content like this image could be "edgy" in the service of portraying a cyberpunk universe. But they could end up trying too hard in that way that "mature" video games tend to try hard.

If the game is developed with a tryhard, edgelord attitude, it will invite creative decisions like using negative stereotypes and fetishization tropes from real life unironically, without understanding them. Not making meaningful contribution to social commentary or "exploration of transhuman themes".

And in this specific case, given the developer's history, it also functions as the perfect cover for individuals to insert negative commentary on purpose.

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I mean if the trailers have not give you the "try hard" and edgy vibe yet...

And i'm sure the negative commentary will come. They make the perfect recipe to dismiss any criticism with this game. I'm sure the violence and nudity will further move the alt-right agenda of hate here, and it'll be all dismissed because this is a highly anticipated game with a cyberpunk futuristic world. This is cdpr, they couldn't even commit to the female V they showed before, for the marketing.

 

[Arkanim94]

Is it not allowed to create controversial portrayals of LGBT persons in movies or games? I understood the uproar of the "Did you assume their gender" tweet, but in my opinion the LGBT community is a bit too sensitive. Everything is transphobic or homophobic etc. when a LGBT person is not displayed in the most careful, harmonic and sensitive way smh

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dude, you can do whatever you want. but expect a backlash.

oh, and fuck off, transphobic scum.

 

[Dust]

Is the buldge too big/sexual?
This is the fetishization here?
Genuinely curious.

 

[ZeoVGM]

Is it not allowed to create controversial portrayals of LGBT persons in movies or games? I understood the uproar of the "Did you assume their gender" tweet, but in my opinion the LGBT community is a bit too sensitive. Everything is transphobic or homophobic etc. when a LGBT person is not displayed in the most careful, harmonic and sensitive way smh

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Your opinion is trash.

 

[Alucrid]

Is the buldge too big/sexual?
This is the fetishization here?
Genuinely curious.

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yes. positive representation has strict length and girth requirements.

 

[Alavard]

Is it not allowed to create controversial portrayals of LGBT persons in movies or games? I understood the uproar of the "Did you assume their gender" tweet, but in my opinion the LGBT community is a bit too sensitive. Everything is transphobic or homophobic etc. when a LGBT person is not displayed in the most careful, harmonic and sensitive way smh

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"The LGBT+ community is too sensitive to my bigotry!"

 

[NHarmonic.]

I can't see the problem with a tasteless ad in your fictional future cyberpunk world.
People expect everything to be nice and inoffensive?

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Curious how the tasteless adds always target minorities. It's like making fun of white, cis, privileged men is not funny and is never attempted, so let's pile more shit on regularly attacked communities.

 

[Asbsand]

If there is a recurring theme of ads being fucked up, then it's actually alright and could be used for world building. Not expecting it though.

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Yeah, but why specifically transphobia? Especially in this time? It just comes across as "Haha, Trans people LOL!" it's clearly insulting in nature and not in that parodical "Pisswasser" GTA fashion. There's just no reason for it beyond promoting transphobia.

Inb4 this ad is in the game but with the "dick" edited out and CDPR pretends none of it happened.

 

[Antiax]

...like?

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I didn't mean to post it in this thread but since you are asking - one example from this thread:

Still not surprised since CDPR comes from a country with a government who pursues LGBT-people and the free speech.

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I wish I had more time to actually elaborate on this topic but yeah I have to go back to work. This thread https://www.resetera.com/threads/rp...y-and-unimaginative-stereotypes.122727/page-9 has much more xenophobic takes.

 

[Deleted member 37151]

I don't really get the problem?
Cross dressing is sexy and in the future I assume people will be a bit more gender fluid. Plus adverts sexualise stuff. That's the point.

 

[hydrophilic attack]

nm, i was making unfounded, possibly unfair, assumptions about a poster

 

[SEVEN777]

dude, you can do whatever you want. but expect a backlash.

oh, and fuck off, transphobic scum.

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Are you out of your mind? Please let me know why I am "transphobic scum". Thanks.

 

[Protein]

Leave it to straight males to decide what is sensitive for others.

 

[Nich]

Is it not allowed to create controversial portrayals of LGBT persons in movies or games? I understood the uproar of the "Did you assume their gender" tweet, but in my opinion the LGBT community is a bit too sensitive. Everything is transphobic or homophobic etc. when a LGBT person is not displayed in the most careful, harmonic and sensitive way smh

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To have a controversial portrayal of an LGBT person would first require viewing them as people. It would have to be a fully rounded and carefully considered portrait where you could understand that person's mindset even as you disagreed with their actions.

This isn't that. This isn't a controversial portrayal of an LGBT person, it's a controversial portrayal of the idea of LGBT people. That's the basic hurdle anyone has to overcome and put behind them before they can make their way toward an acceptable controversial portrayal of an LGBT person.

 

[rein]

My first thought was that she was wearing some sort of strap-on. I think the "mix it up" part is the problematic one. It would be awesome to have trans representation in games but i don't think this is it.

 

[Bleu]

it's a cyberpunk game.
Almost every cyberpunk thing, movie, novel or whatever out there includes hyper sexualised transhumanised things, including every thing you can think about.
Corps in universe will use whatever they can to sell things, there are no morals anymore, only money, porn and hypersexualisation of every fetich/spectrum are everywhere in cyberpunk universes. and there is no nuance or subtlety, everything is cranked to 11.
Also everything is valid and no one cares what you are, you can be what you want (if you have the money).
A cyberpunk corp willing to sell you shit with a "mix it up" slogan would do that kind of ad, yes it is gross, yes it is fetishization, (according to our normal world standards) no doubt about it, you could say that is the point, welcome to most cyberpunk universes.
I don't consider that ad alone to be offensive in context.

 

[Alucrid]

Are you out of your mind? Please let me know why I am "transphobic scum". Thanks.

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is there a problem with the fact that you weren't portrayed in the most careful, harmonic and sensitive way? smh

it's a cyberpunk game.
Almost every cyberpunk thing, movie, novel or whatever out there includes hyper sexualised transhumanised things, including every thing you can think about.
Corps in universe will use whatever they can to sell things, there are no morals anymore, only money, porn and hypersexualisation of every fetich/spectrum are everywhere in cyberpunk universes. and there is no nuance or subtlety, everything is cranked to 11.
Also everything is valid and no one cares what you are, you can be what you want (if you have the money).
A cyberpunk corp willing to sell you shit with a "mix it up" slogan would do that kind of ad, yes it is gross, yes it is fetishization, (according to our normal world standards) no doubt about it, you could say that is the point, welcome to most cyberpunk universes.
I don't consider that ad alone to be offensive in context.

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someone should fire the marketing team for the ads to the left and right then. clearly they didn't get the message.

 

[Mars People]

Curious how the tasteless adds always target minorities. It's like making fun of white, cis, privileged men is not funny and is never attempted, so let's pile more shit on regularly attacked communities.

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What other ads in the game target minorities?
Genuinely asking.

 

[Bass2448]

Is it not allowed to create controversial portrayals of LGBT persons in movies or games? I understood the uproar of the "Did you assume their gender" tweet, but in my opinion the LGBT community is a bit too sensitive. Everything is transphobic or homophobic etc. when a LGBT person is not displayed in the most careful, harmonic and sensitive way smh

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Gonna try to really get into the weeds of your message without emotion despite it coming off as completely transphobic. You have to put yourself in the shoes of someone who is constantly socially rejected because you acted in accordance to what you believe/feel. So in order to reverse this constant "social rejection/uncomfortableness", There must be a big swing in the opposite direction. Thats probably why you think they are "too sensitive". My point is that media/twitter/etc. is a huge influence on society and making sure you are accurately represented is HUGE in the idea of being "accepted". And being accepted is one of the things the LGBTQ community and any community greatly desire.

 

[Alavard]

Are you out of your mind? Please let me know why I am "transphobic scum". Thanks.

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Wow, someone's a little sensitive.

 

[Arkanim94]

Are you out of your mind? Please let me know why I am "transphobic scum". Thanks.

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nothing major

but in my opinion the LGBT community is a bit too sensitive

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[Mastersmith98]

*rolls eyes* everyone is looking for something that isn't there.

 

[Deleted member 5549]

Like I said, generic cyberpunk naming conventions. Take cyberpunk sounding word and add to random thing to make it cyberpunkier.

I'm not defending anything. My opinion isn't a fact, it's merely my read on it and I'm very open to being proven wrong. All I see are generic naming conventions and a chrome can.

If you believe this is about chromossomes, then CDPR needs to be pressed for a statement. If it's meant to be chromossomes then yes I agree with you about it being shitty.

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is cyberpunk about hard dicks? because if so, recommend me some stuff!

 

[Kyuuji]

Is it not allowed to create controversial portrayals of LGBT persons in movies or games? I understood the uproar of the "Did you assume their gender" tweet, but in my opinion the LGBT community is a bit too sensitive. Everything is transphobic or homophobic etc. when a LGBT person is not displayed in the most careful, harmonic and sensitive way smh

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Are you out of your mind? Please let me know why I am "transphobic scum". Thanks.

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I've fucking gone into an astral plane with this giggle fit.

 

[Atraveller]

yes. positive representation has strict length and girth requirements.

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I'm not sure if you're taking the piss here.

 

[egg]

Is it not allowed to create controversial portrayals of LGBT persons in movies or games? I understood the uproar of the "Did you assume their gender" tweet, but in my opinion the LGBT community is a bit too sensitive. Everything is transphobic or homophobic etc. when a LGBT person is not displayed in the most careful, harmonic and sensitive way smh

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Maybe not in this situation but i agree that some people IN GENERAL (not just lgbt) appear to be more sensitive when it comes to certain things.

 

[Couscous]

Is it not allowed to create controversial portrayals of LGBT persons in movies or games? I understood the uproar of the "Did you assume their gender" tweet, but in my opinion the LGBT community is a bit too sensitive. Everything is transphobic or homophobic etc. when a LGBT person is not displayed in the most careful, harmonic and sensitive way smh

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Victim blaming at its finest I see.

 

[astro]

I would have no issue with an ad like this in a cyberpunk game if the the makers had displayed care with their overall representation.

As it stands, they have a gathering history of transphobia, mockery of gender identity, and a "sorry you were offended: attitude.

At this point it's adding up to amounts you can't ignore if you care.

 

[Lentic]

I didn't mean to post it in this thread but since you are asking - one example from this thread:


I wish I had more time to actually elaborate on this topic but yeah I have to go back to the work. This thread https://www.resetera.com/threads/rp...y-and-unimaginative-stereotypes.122727/page-9 has much more xenophobic takes.

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I don't think it's xenophobic to cite a country's social issues.

 

[Kinsei]

I'm not sure if you're taking the piss here.

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He is.

 

[carlosrox]

They do seem pretty phobic based on all the shit I've seen and heard about them so far.

I find the studio/their claim to fame to be pretty overrated as I tried TW3 and wasn't impressed by all the janky I experienced.

I initially thought CP2077 looked great based on some of the footage they've shown but was unimpressed by the edgy swearing and basic as fuck stereotypes.

So as much I wanted the game to be good, I also wouldn't mind skipping it if it turns out it's made by a bunch of phobic idiots and ends up being overrated anyways.

 

[Persephone]

Maybe not in this situation but i agree that some people IN GENERAL (not just lgbt) appear to be more sensitive when it comes to certain things.

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People tend to be sensitive when they're oppressed and their existence is made into a punchline, yes.

 

[Komo]

Is the buldge too big/sexual?
This is the fetishization here?
Genuinely curious.

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It's mainly that the company previously has had a pretty bad PR cycle recently outside of their gameplay reveals. It's raising questions if trans/LGBT are being properly represented. That and I think most are afraid that trans people are being portrayed entirely in a bad light.