Why no nudity : Othor Games

» Fri Nov 16, 2012 4:31 am

Not this, please. When was the last time you saw an average dude that isn't muscled up, dudebro or a badass as a protagonist? Alan Wake is the only one I can think of off the top of my head. That's just as damaging a stereotype.

Well, recently- Lee from The Walking Dead, and Corvo. One of the things I like about Corvo is that despite his supernatural powers and other prowess, he's a second fiddle who wasn't good enough to marry the empress, his failures launch the game story, and he gets duped. They are good offsets. Symbolized by the fact that he doesn't have those big jackhammer hands like other male characters.

Generally I agree with your point, though.

» Fri Nov 16, 2012 3:58 pm

Arguably, the characters of Left 4 Dead 1 and 2 can be classified as non-standard video game characters, too.

» Fri Nov 16, 2012 6:08 pm

Well, recently- Lee from The Walking Dead, and Corvo. One of the things I like about Corvo is that despite his supernatural powers and other prowess, he's a second fiddle who wasn't good enough to marry the empress, his failures launch the game story, and he gets duped. They are good offsets. Symbolized by the fact that he doesn't have those big jackhammer hands like other male characters.

Generally I agree with your point, though.

The good thing is that we don't ever see him apart from his face, and he is still the typical generic good looking guy with the curtained haircut. That is getting old, quit it.

But yeah we need a bigger diversity than body type and attractiveness. Racial diversity, sixuality, ethnic diversity, religious diversity and so on...and no, stupid stereotypes do not count.

» Fri Nov 16, 2012 5:31 am

Who do YOU think of as examples of non-standard video game characters, strife?

» Fri Nov 16, 2012 7:34 am

Who do YOU think of as examples of non-standard video game characters, strife?

http://penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/diversity

That video is actually quite sad, depicting the current state of the industry.

» Fri Nov 16, 2012 2:57 pm

http://penny-arcade.com/patv/episode/diversity

That video is actually quite sad, depicting the current state of the industry.

That was.... thought-provoking. And I agree with most points made there. Thanks strife.

And I hope they cover some of those future topics soon, I would like to hear more.

» Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:51 am

One of the things I like about Corvo is that despite his supernatural powers and other prowess, he's a second fiddle who wasn't good enough to marry the empress, his failures launch the game story, and he gets duped. They are good offsets. Symbolized by the fact that he doesn't have those big jackhammer hands like other male characters.

Mm, I understand what you're saying, but his martial and magical prowess eclipses those weaknesses. The point is, he's not vulnerable, or he's only vulnerable about something that society tells men they should be very concerned about-- protecting their women, rarrrrgh! Sure, there's a bit more nuance here, but it's really not outside the box.

Not that that delegitimizes the story-- it absolutely doesn't. I'm just saying, pointless tangent about sixism is pointless. :tongue:

And I hope they cover some of those future topics soon, I would like to hear more.

Look through their library, they have some really good stuff.

» Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:08 am

Mm, I understand what you're saying, but his martial and magical prowess eclipses those weaknesses. The point is, he's not vulnerable, or he's only vulnerable about something that society tells men they should be very concerned about-- protecting their women, rarrrrgh! Sure, there's a bit more nuance here, but it's really not outside the box.

Not that that delegitimizes the story-- it absolutely doesn't. I'm just saying, pointless tangent is pointless. :tongue:

I still yearn for the lack of an option where I just sail off to another city and MOVE ON. Seriously, I need to get working on my game.

Look through their library, they have some really good stuff.

I second that. Do it!

» Fri Nov 16, 2012 10:36 am

Mm, I understand what you're saying, but his martial and magical prowess eclipses those weaknesses. The point is, he's not vulnerable, or he's only vulnerable about something that society tells men they should be very concerned about-- protecting their women, rarrrrgh! Sure, there's a bit more nuance here, but it's really not outside the box.

Not that that delegitimizes the story-- it absolutely doesn't. I'm just saying, pointless tangent about sixism is pointless. :tongue:

I agree it's pointless. I'm not the only one who thinks this about Corvo, though. Read a blog post where the writer said that Corvo failing, being manipulated, taken down and duped is only palatable because he's a man and would be "very disturbing" if the same thing happened to a female character. Ridiculous conclusion but basically confirms my impression of him.

I think he's mainly vulnerable because his only political power rests in his association with the Kaldwin women. Otherwise he's just a Serkonese swordsman and nobody likes that kind. Doesn't Daud seem, despite his powers, also like a pawn?

But yeah we need a bigger diversity than body type and attractiveness. Racial diversity, sixuality, ethnic diversity, religious diversity and so on...and no, stupid stereotypes do not count.

You're expecting a video game PC who is not easy on the eyes? You'll have a long wait, I think. Part of games is the fantasy element and people want to be, or be with, beautiful people.