RockyRaccoon37

Do you realize that the people you're complaining about don't exist in this community (or at least are not vocal)? Most of the counter arguments to any sexism claim are usually for true equality and are tired of people making a mountain out of a mole hill and labeling everything sexist. We pick apart the posts because they're logically weak and don't stand a chance against true equality. But that always falls on deaf ears because radical feminist are hell bent on convincing everyone that sexism is in absolutely everything at all times without taking anything into consideration.

No. Communism is a red herring.

<3. Nice to hear from somebody who 'gets it'.

There are problems which need addressing in the game industry, but thoughtful and considered opinions like this one will achieve far more than the hysterical and illogical ones who just scream 'Sexism!' at everything. They know who they are, and often they're the ones making a living out of screaming 'Sexism!' at everything. Funny that.

Good for them that they've figured out a way to use their cause to line their pockets, but they aren't going to actually achieve anything other than making people roll their eyes at them. If anything they're probably having a negative effect, because they're just drowning out smarter people who would otherwise be capable of delivering the message in a more surgical / less blunt force trauma way.

The point was that she's a protagonist but if you want to change the subject all the time and not even address what I said then whats the point of arguing with you?

And when the Mario games were first created the majority of the audience WAS boys. When you are talking about a commercial product like video games you pander to your audience because that makes financial sense. The Audience for many years was boys. Not saying there weren't females playing as well because there were. So obviously stories that pander to male audiences are going to be included for that reason and also reasons of just well... its an easy concept to get across in a time where the medium wasn't exactly as evolved yet. The only way to change this boys club-house is for females to show that they want to be part of it. The industry HAS responded to the growing number of female gamers as well. There are way more relatable female characters for women now days than there ever has been.

Also, women are now in prominent roles making video games. Uncharted 2 Sony's possibly biggest game in the last 10 years was written by a woman. You can't however expect the male pandering in video games to cease though. There is always going to be a segment of games that is directed at a male audience and I don't see and issue with that. The same thing is true in other mediums there are movies and books that directly target women and movies and books that target men more.

Video games are still a extremely young medium by comparison. People need to chill out. The industry is still evolving. The concept that Anita brings up that these men rescuing women are somehow "taking possession of them as an object is absurd. They aren't trying to "take possession" of the woman they are simply trying to win her admiration. Its a fantastical day-dream version of real life. Men want to impress the woman of their dreams and catch their attention. And yes, its an empowerment fantasy but... that's kind of what entertainment is supposed to do be an escape from reality. And again,the audience was still largely male when most of those game were made. And just because one female character in a game is in peril doesn't mean that the game is painting with a sexist brush. I mean hell you have games like the recently released Tomb Raider where Lara is obviously the dominant survivor who is rescuing not only fellow male survivors but also her friend and fellow female Sam. I think its absurd that somehow a character like peach is somehow supposed to be representative of an entire gender. The real sticking point I have with anita's work is the lack of acknowledgement of the societal climate surrounding the games she brought up. And the absolute entitlement she brings to the table.

You can't expect to show up to what has been traditionally a male clubhouse and expect everything to pander to you right away. And again, the industry is still evolving and reacting to the ever growing female population. And not just with cliche "girl games" like the Sims either. Core mainstream popular games are starting to react to this. Gears 3 featured a number of playable female characters both in the multiplayer and campaign. Things are getting better not worse for female gamers and dwelling on what games WERE rather than what they are becoming does nothing to move your cause forward.

Come on now, don't be silly. Alienating young girls? In this day and age? Especially now, when Super Princess Peach is out and every mario kart/party/sport has her and Daisy in playable roles? That's a bit exaggerative.

I really dislike Anita Sarkeesian for her manipulation and her cult-esque audience, but I find it very hard to defend Peach as a strong female character.

That being said, what damage is Peach really doing to women?

How isn't she though? By moderating the comments or closing them down completely, she is making herself untouchable. She obviously targets her videos at a demographic who are not "gamers" (I hate the term, but what else is there) and certainly not people who are savvy enough to be on an internet forum to discuss said video games. The only way for criticism to reach her audience, would be through the comments and they are closed down completely. She only wants her views to be heard and not challenged.

@animasta:

But are they as visible? What other way is there to criticize her while reaching her fanbase. Writing an email or PMing her with well thought out points won't change her stance on anything. I agree that most of youtube commenters are complete idiots, but in here Ted talk she basically lumps all gaming related forums together as one and labels the entire internet as trolls and haters. At no point does she want to create a discussion or encourage any form of academic discourse.

I think if you want to exclaim an opinion, you have to be prepared to defend it. She's never done so.

The toads were being held hostage to keep peach in line. Lets ignore the fact that they needed saving as much as the princess. They dont count as being saved cause they are not women, which is messed up that you just dismiss them so easily. Is that fact missed on you. Are you so cult worshiper sold on Anita's cult of propaganda that you would suicide rush anyone that differs in view from the Core ideology she pushes.