I kind of feel like the thread has run its course. I will continue to respond if need be, but for the most part, I am done with discussion. I am tired, frustrated, and simply perplexed that so many people fail to sympathize or understand basic concepts of respect and human decency. I'd like to leave a few closing points, however, before I go.
1. It is not fair to simply ask women to not play games that may feature oversexualized or objectified women. Because, really, we'd have nothing left to play. The games that don't feature those themes to some degrading degree are few and far between, and in my 21 years of gaming, I have had to learn to "suck it up" and adapt to gaming culture. Because, the reality of it is, it's a man's culture. We women are treated like we don't belong in it, and if we don't belong, why should the industry cater to us? We're only SJWs anyway, and we'll complain about anything. I also refuse to tailor my interests in specific games or genres because some horny dev likes boobs and wants them in his game.
2. There is a difference between having sex in a game and oversexualizing a character for no specific reason. Sex in games is fine, so long as it is done tastefully and within the scope of the universe; in other words, it has to make sense. Having a soldier-type woman wear nothing but fishnets and a bikini top doesn't make sense. It's obvious pandering to its target male audience for the sole purpose of providing fap material. I get it, sex sells. But that doesn't make it okay, nor does it stop the trend from continuing. It's distasteful and alienates entire demographics of players based on societal norms.
3. If men were objectified just as much as women, and to the same degree, then we'd be having a different conversation. But the reality of it is, they're not. Even when it does happen, because let's be real, it does, it's not in the same way. Men are, historically, dominators. They dominate women. Women simply lack the power, both in the real world and the virtual one, to change this. We have always been sex symbols for male viewing pleasure, and that has not changed. We have been the ones at home, catering to male needs and desires. "Make yourself beautiful for your husband and put out; he's tired after working all day and it's your job as his wife to satisfy him!" The presentation of these ideals have changed, but the core themes and attitudes still exist. And you're naive and in denial if you think otherwise.
4. Video games don't cause sexist attitudes, but they foster those ideals in individuals that would otherwise not bring them to light in real life. I have experienced it firsthand; a socially awkward nerd belittles and harasses women because a video game did it in it's presentation of a character. A dev doesn't need to outright say that they don't respect women. Actions and their portrayal are enough. If a female character is portrayed as a sex object, that showcases a lack of respect for women as people, not sex symbols alone.
5. If you want to make a porn game, go for it. Advertise it as a porn game. But at least the sex is done within the scope and universe of the game. You go into it expecting a porn game. It's not added on for no apparent reason.
6. I absolutely have the right to criticize games and other artforms that I think are degrading to women or other demographics. As do you. But saying otherwise is, frankly, insulting. Don't do it. It accomplishes absolutely nothing.
7. LISTEN TO PEOPLE. You saw it firsthand with Morrigan's post; the women on this forum, much like The Site That Must Not Be Named, are tired of speaking up. Making a post and getting involved in the discussion won't change anything, because they're just going to get dismissed and mansplained. If you want to have a postive discussion, and foster a true community of civil, forward-thinking discourse, then you need to be open-minded and listen to those who have experienced this shit and have valuable insight to offer. I'm not saying that the men who participated in this thread don't have valuable things to say; rather, I think it's quite the opposite. Even if I disagreed with you, it fueled discussion. And that's the point of these threads. All I'm saying is just...try to be receptive of new perspectives. Same can be said for me, too. There were times I lost my cool (I have a temper, sorry), but I stand by everything I said.
Later gators.
