More the reason to hate that site. This is just plain embarrassing. She is totally taking advantage of her job to get something she wants.
THIS IS THE ORGINAL POST THAT LINKYSHINKS SAID- MB
Here's the link to Kristin's blog, which this post refers to, reprinted here for your convenience!Okay girls and guys - I need a favor from all of you.
We're having this game on the show on On The Spot next Thursday at 4pm PST. Essentially it's chicks in bikinis slaying zombies.
Obviously I'm NOT happy about the objectification of women in this game or how degrading it is. I was tempted to pull the game from our show until I realized this would be a good opportunity for female gamers to show a united front and make developers hear our voice - and realize that WE ARE here and aren't appreciative of degredation in games.
This is where I'm hoping everyone can help me out. I'm going to be the host picking the audience questions. I would LOVE for you girls to chime in with questions for the developer. Obviously I'm not looking for a flame fest, constructive questions only.
You can watch the show here and email in questions to onthespot (at) gamespot (dot) com.
EDIT:
Okay I obviously need to clarify my views on this.
The thing that I'm irritated about is the BLATANT objectification of women in this game. The opening scene starts out in a shower, and then has a girl running around in a bikini. I don't know what you guys keep near your shower but my bikini is NOT the first thing I'd grab if the world were being overrun by zombies (they aren't that comfy to run in)
Look, I KNOW TnA sells, and sells lots. There's a reason pron is one of the biggest industries. What I'm cheesed off about is the fact that one of the main characters is in a bikini. There is NO reason for this choice of outfits, that's where I get offended. Laura Croft is sexual yet covered up. The school girl outfit I don't have a huge problem with, it's iconic in japan. They want to be controversial and are hoping the drama will promote their game more - they subscribe to the mindset of no such thing as bad press.
Interestingly enough, I don't have a huge problem with DoA volleyball. That was tounge in cheek and while I don't support it, I can see the humor in it and it wasn't trying to hide behind a game.
I don't want viewers to email in questions that are inflammatory, I'm looking for well thought out, COHERENT questions that I may not think of prior to the show. I'm not going to attack the developer, only hope to open his eyes a bit to why the female demographic (which is 40% of games - we're not that much of a minority anymore) may be offended at this game.
Obviously my initial post was written through a haze of red anger, but I still stand by my beliefs. Sexual harassment is not tolerated in the work place, schools, or society. There's no reason it needs to be tolerated or propagated in video games. THAT'S what I'm getting at.
No offense to the guys, but you're incapable of understanding until you walk in a female gamers shoes. This is the sole reason for Xbox GamerChiX, PMS Clan, CaveGirls, Girlz of Distruction, and other female-oriented gaming clans/organizations/websites etc. Why did Bungie start cracking down on harassment in Halo? A few of the Bungie developers played a couple rounds of halo on my tag and a girlfriend's tag during GDC once. They didn't use the mics and we put headset sound through the tv. When they were finished they turned to my girlfriend and I and asked us, "Is it always like this? We knew it was bad but we didn't realize it was THIS bad."
And Linkyshinks, you need the whole background on why I picked the BatGirl name. I didn't pick it for the comics. This is why I picked the Batgirl name (pulled from a very old blog):
"I like the image of Batgirl. She is a superhero in every sense of the word - and is female. She's strong, independent, cunning, isn't afraid to stand up for herself, and cares about the people around her. She's kind and giving, yet when push comes to shove, she's got no problem kicking butt and taking names. She has no qualms getting in there with the boys and doesn't expect any special treatment and most importantly, she can hold her own. She is a GREAT roll model for girls in every age group. She's not an overtly sexual icon, but she has a sensuality to her that's alluring and fun....The Batgirl character is smart and uses stereotypes to her advantage. I try to do the same and don't let them hold me back. You can either let yourself be a victim and held back, or you can overcome and use your circumstances to your advantage. I see Batgirl as always using her environment and circumstances for her advantage - and I model my life after that."
@ronniepage588 - your comment deserves some correction. I am on the show because I know games and love them as well as the culture and industry. I also have a video background. My "attribute" size has nothing to do with it. If it did, they'd dictate my wardrobe, not me wearing what I want. Everything you see me wear on the show is from my personal wardrobe. Interestingly enough I DID have a job offer from G4 once to host a video game show - but I had to wear a bikini. Funny enough, I turned that job down. If you think the ONLY reason I was hired was for my "attributes", your incorrect and I highly suggest you correct your thinking ASAP.
And as another aside - Ryan heard my tirade in the office and was in my office when I initially decided to pull the game and he supported my decision if I was uncomfortable with the game or felt strongly about not having it on the show. No one in this office would ever be made to do something they feel uncomfortable with.
