Also, notwithstanding, this is purely a cultural phenomenon. Many of the oversexualized women in japanese games are designed by women. It is only western culture that has issue with it. This cultural clash only exists because western women are intolerant of other cultures that appreciate oversexualization, cultures that see it as a compliment instead.
This is the reason why I don't really see any problem with oversexualizing women in games. Men are just as oversexualized too. Everyone knows what I'm talking about. The shirtless, beefy male protagonist with the strong jaw and rippling muscles. Everyone just wants something handsome to look at, but where men aspire, women envy. The visual influence is less empowering for women, because they feel it represents not only something they lack, but something unrealistic and unattainable. This is the main argument against oversexualization.
But that's what video games are for aren't they?
We play video games to experience the unrealistic. You can't go off and be superman in real life, so you play a video game to have fun doing it. The game industry is also not to blame here. Other entertainment industries from movies to magazines all use the female form to their advantage, because like it or not, sex sells. This would not be possible without the willing participation of women, so it's easy to claim women are oppressing themselves
if the argument against oversexualization was true. The reality is, the main argument is not true, it's a proxy. The true argument is that less attractive women feel oppressed by more attractive women. However rather than aspiring to improve themselves, they would rather be offended. Why claim offense here? Has a fat man ever been offended by a muscle man? No, a fat man would typically strive to attain a better body, while a woman would rather be intolerant and simply loathe themselves for not being as attractive.
See
this paper from the University of Texas:
"Some studies have shown that video games with these types of character designs have led to negative effects in women such as low self-esteem, depression, and a negative outlook on the female gender."
Now, why would this be the case? This paper was written by a woman, so she recognizes that some do not have the mental fortitude to look at oversexualized women. It is psychologically harming to women, but here's my problem with that: it shouldn't be the case. If women really want to enforce equality, then they must accept oversexualization exists and be tolerant of it. Men already are. You don't see men writing papers about how upset they are that men are so much more handsome and stronger than them in video games.
