I’ve often heard the argument from feminists that video games are sexist because of the blatantly-sexualized images of women that are projected in many mainstream games. I hear the backlash from gamers (mostly men, but not exclusively so), saying “it’s not sexualization; it’s a marketing strategy. Skin sells.” Oh, well, a huge pat on the back to the gaming industry for its impeccable audience analysis skills—something I learned how to do in my GenEd communications class. How talented and insighful.
I could sit here and argue all day that the gross objectification of women actually devalues men—by making boobs and butts the (irrelevant) focal point of an action game, the gaming company is saying that such base, carnal attributes are what men value. And that by purchasing those games, these gents aren’t making the best case in their own defense. But hey, that kind of logic only solidifies the lines of a polarized audience, because typically speaking, some will agree, and others will roll their eyes and mutter “femi-nazi” when they think I’m not listening (spoiler alert: I can hear you).
So, instead, I’m taking a different approach. As demoralizing as the images of big-breasted, scantily-clad women in video games are, there are much bigger problems at hand. The manifestation of patriarchal implications are much more varied than “dude, did you see that chick’s tits?!” And I’m going to let this kick-ass article do the rest of the talking. It outlines six big problems with sexism in video games, and it’s quite insightful.
The conclusion is the coolest part, in my opinion, and offers a common ground with a hopeful message for the future of gaming:
Allow people to criticize games and gender in narratives and allow the discussion to continue within game spaces without derailing the conversation. This is the best way we can learn from each other and improve the future of gaming. If someone is trying to prevent a discussion of a problem, they are that problem.
I want to take the opportunity to open up discussion on this issue. Gamers, what do you think?
ShoutOut! James Madison University 
If this were true, where is all the penis in marketing? You would think that if skin/sex sells then there is some 52% of the population that desperately needs/demands the ‘peen so they can buy more stuff.
The objectification, degradation and the dehumanizing of women sells.
Just sayn’.
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Fair point–though I think our difference is in semantics. Thank you for the clarification, and I agree, it’s the objectification of women rather than *objectification* in a broader sense, which my word choice seemed to imply.
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Great post! The final sentence reminds me of the quote, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” Desmond Tutu. Too often people just don’t want to talk about the issues because it causes too many problems, but by not talking about it we are just letting the problems continue.
I also was just talking about how at the very least I wish they could make two versions of a game, so that you can decide if you want to play as a girl are a guy and can at least cater to each one.
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Thanks, imagineherstory! I think you make a great point, and that quote is the perfect supplement to the point I wanted to get across. And you’re right, a lot of times we’d rather not “step on anyone’s toes”–but the real problem comes in when we CAN’T talk about an issue.
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