There should be more leading women in games...

I want women in Battlefield 3

Well let's see...

There's Samus from Metroid.IndianaPwns39

With that said, for all Metroid games (apart from Other M) Samus could have been male or female; it wouldn't have made any real difference.

I agree, I would love to see:

• A female assassin on Assassin's Creed
• A princess of Persia
• A female horse rider on Darksiders
• A female character on Resident Evil (like they did on RE4)
• And so on...

tjricardo089

Is the Resident Evil call out a joke? You get to play as a female in literally every main entry...

And something cool about Darksiders is that all the horsemen have already been designed, and Fury is a female.

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]

Well let's see...

There's Samus from Metroid.MadVybz

With that said, for all Metroid games (apart from Other M) Samus could have been male or female; it wouldn't have made any real difference.

Samus is a female though. Regardless of personality, the question was naming leading female video game characters, and she is.

Personally, I like Samus. I've always enjoyed her character because of what happens through each game world as you explore it. She's mysterious, but one thing I loved about Metroid was that there was hardly any spoken word and as you discovered things the game didn't beat you over the head with it. She didn't have to narrate her emotions towards Baby, she didn't have to explain how she felt when you learned more about her upbringing in Metroid Prime. It was cool they revisited Baby and Mother Brain at the start of Other M, but I've always seen the series as being about isolation and mystery. Since they changed it and tried a more traditional story, a little bit of the magic was lost.

[QUOTE="tjricardo089"]

I agree, I would love to see:

• A female assassin on Assassin's Creed
• A princess of Persia
• A female horse rider on Darksiders
• A female character on Resident Evil (like they did on RE4)
• And so on...

IndianaPwns39

Is the Resident Evil call out a joke? You get to play as a female in literally every main entry...

And something cool about Darksiders is that all the horsemen have already been designed, and Fury is a female.

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]

[QUOTE="tjricardo089"]

I agree, I would love to see:

• A female assassin on Assassin's Creed
• A princess of Persia
• A female horse rider on Darksiders
• A female character on Resident Evil (like they did on RE4)
• And so on...

Smokescreened84

Is the Resident Evil call out a joke? You get to play as a female in literally every main entry...

And something cool about Darksiders is that all the horsemen have already been designed, and Fury is a female.

Right about RE4. RE5 allows you to immediately play as Sheva in co-op, which I did. And Chris and Leon are the leads sure, along with Wesker Jr., Sherry, and Helena. You'll also unlock an Ada campaign when the game is over again.

As for the rest of the series:

RE1/REmake: Play as Jill from the beginning. RE2: Claire from the start. RE3: Predominately Jill. RE CV: Predominately Claire. RE0 - Rebecca throughout the whole thing, even though she's with Billy. And finally there's the latest in the main series, Revelations, which you mostly play through as Jill.

So yeah, there isn't a single main entry that doesn't allow you to play as a female. RE4 dropped the ball only giving Ada a campaign after the game is completed, and for solo players RE5 did too I suppose.

I would like to see a game that focuses on Claire and Sherry. We know that Sherry is able to fight in RE6, though the last time we saw her she was just a little girl. Her and Claire had a sort of mother and daughter relationship, which is largely unexplored territory in games. It could also show how Sherry developed her fighting skills and the like. Idk, I just think that arc is brimming with potential. That and I love Claire. I bought the Mercenaries 3D just to play as her again :P

I wouldn't mind seeing what Rebecca is up to as well. Her and Barry have been almost completely ignored even though their half of the surviving STARS members.

[QUOTE="MadVybz"]

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]

Well let's see...

There's Samus from Metroid.IndianaPwns39

With that said, for all Metroid games (apart from Other M) Samus could have been male or female; it wouldn't have made any real difference.

Samus is a female though. Regardless of personality, the question was naming leading female video game characters, and she is.

Literally, yes. But as a character, she's largely inhuman. She isn't as much of a 'leading role' as she is an avatar, which is basically the opposite of a character. I can't be the only one that feels that she's entirely separate from events that take place in the series. Tell me, what were her emotions towards Baby, or any events that occured in Metroid (exluding Other M) that don't come from your own interpretations? That's more or less what I'm getting at.

I don't dislike Samus either, I just don't think she's the character that most gamers make her out to be, but rather a blank slate that which we project our own expected personality traits on a female bounty hunter that's isolated like she is. This only makes me think that it wouldn't actually matter if she was male, female or anything else for that matter. The fact that we know that she is female is only a bit of shock value because it goes against stereotypes. I honestly don't think people would think anything of Samus if Nintendo didn't make that little twist at the end of the original Metroid on the NES.

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]

[QUOTE="MadVybz"] I have a problem with that. People always cite Samus as a leading female role, but she's largely a robot. She has no personality. Over the years people have only projected human qualities on to her through assumption; Nintendo never attempted to characterize her. The only exception to this is Metroid Other M, but all I've heard is negativity towards that for various reasons.

With that said, for all Metroid games (apart from Other M) Samus could have been male or female; it wouldn't have made any real difference.

MadVybz

Samus is a female though. Regardless of personality, the question was naming leading female video game characters, and she is.

Literally, yes. But as a character, she's largely inhuman. She isn't as much of a 'leading role' as she is an avatar, which is basically the opposite of a character. I can't be the only one that feels that she's entirely separate from events that take place in the series. Tell me, what were her emotions towards Baby, or any events that occured in Metroid (exluding Other M) that don't come from your own interpretations? That's more or less what I'm getting at.

I don't dislike Samus either, I just don't think she's the character that most gamers make her out to be, but rather a blank slate that which we project our own expected personality traits on a female bounty hunter that's isolated like she is. This only makes me think that it wouldn't actually matter if she was male, female or anything else for that matter. The fact that we know that she is female is only a bit of shock value because it goes against stereotypes. I honestly don't think people would think anything of Samus if Nintendo didn't make that little twist at the end of the original Metroid on the NES.

I thought it was interesting how Samus bonded to Baby. Even going out of her way to save the poor little Metroid. I thought her developing a relationship with a creature she's largely been ordered to kill throughout the series spoke enough about her character.

But yes, for the most part Samus acts as an avatar. Basically in the same vein as Gordon Freeman, up until Other M anyway. And no, you're not the only one. There were quite a few people that complained when she was in the top 4 during Gamespot's greatest hero contest.

[QUOTE="MadVybz"]

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]

Samus is a female though. Regardless of personality, the question was naming leading female video game characters, and she is.

IndianaPwns39

Literally, yes. But as a character, she's largely inhuman. She isn't as much of a 'leading role' as she is an avatar, which is basically the opposite of a character. I can't be the only one that feels that she's entirely separate from events that take place in the series. Tell me, what were her emotions towards Baby, or any events that occured in Metroid (exluding Other M) that don't come from your own interpretations? That's more or less what I'm getting at.

I don't dislike Samus either, I just don't think she's the character that most gamers make her out to be, but rather a blank slate that which we project our own expected personality traits on a female bounty hunter that's isolated like she is. This only makes me think that it wouldn't actually matter if she was male, female or anything else for that matter. The fact that we know that she is female is only a bit of shock value because it goes against stereotypes. I honestly don't think people would think anything of Samus if Nintendo didn't make that little twist at the end of the original Metroid on the NES.

I thought it was interesting how Samus bonded to Baby. Even going out of her way to save the poor little Metroid. I thought her developing a relationship with a creature she's largely been ordered to kill throughout the series spoke enough about her character.

I did as well, it made the lay-out of Metroid a bit more interesting. That alone shows ambiguity though, with 2 possible meanings:

1. Samus does indeed have some degree of character, or
2. It can be argued that, just like all other females, her maternal instincts always outweigh all other judgments. As cynical as it sounds, it is indeed arguable and I've seen debates put forward regarding this, making it just a generic trait for any female.

At any rate, I think that since the fans basically created Samus' character, she should have more or less became that with Other M, just not completely one dimensional; a strong-headed, cold-blooded, anti-social heroine wouldn't be any better or worse than a male-equivalent, I'm sure you'd agree (besides the obvious eye candy :P).

...for the most part Samus acts as an avatar. Basically in the same vein as Gordon Freeman, up until Other M anyway. And no, you're not the only one. There were quite a few people that complained when she was in the top 4 during Gamespot's greatest hero contest.IndianaPwns39

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]...for the most part Samus acts as an avatar. Basically in the same vein as Gordon Freeman, up until Other M anyway. And no, you're not the only one. There were quite a few people that complained when she was in the top 4 during Gamespot's greatest hero contest.El_Zo1212o

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]...for the most part Samus acts as an avatar. Basically in the same vein as Gordon Freeman, up until Other M anyway. And no, you're not the only one. There were quite a few people that complained when she was in the top 4 during Gamespot's greatest hero contest.El_Zo1212o

Really? That's interesting. Fusion is the only Metroid title I never played, as I've simply never owned a GBA. I'm just a little pissed that Nintendo has no current plans to bring Metroid Fusion over to the 3DS' virtual console... which is stupid considering they've already put it on there for the Ambassador Program.

Metroid - Samus Aran.

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]

[QUOTE="MadVybz"] I have a problem with that. People always cite Samus as a leading female role, but she's largely a robot. She has no personality. Over the years people have only projected human qualities on to her through assumption; Nintendo never attempted to characterize her. The only exception to this is Metroid Other M, but all I've heard is negativity towards that for various reasons.

With that said, for all Metroid games (apart from Other M) Samus could have been male or female; it wouldn't have made any real difference.

MadVybz

Samus is a female though. Regardless of personality, the question was naming leading female video game characters, and she is.

Literally, yes. But as a character, she's largely inhuman. She isn't as much of a 'leading role' as she is an avatar, which is basically the opposite of a character. I can't be the only one that feels that she's entirely separate from events that take place in the series. Tell me, what were her emotions towards Baby, or any events that occured in Metroid (exluding Other M) that don't come from your own interpretations? That's more or less what I'm getting at.

I don't dislike Samus either, I just don't think she's the character that most gamers make her out to be, but rather a blank slate that which we project our own expected personality traits on a female bounty hunter that's isolated like she is. This only makes me think that it wouldn't actually matter if she was male, female or anything else for that matter. The fact that we know that she is female is only a bit of shock value because it goes against stereotypes. I honestly don't think people would think anything of Samus if Nintendo didn't make that little twist at the end of the original Metroid on the NES.

But a female avatar is all GreekGameManiac and Smokescreened (the dominators of this thread) want. They don't even mask their disregard for the quality of a character's portrayal. They just want an option to do a chop on the avatar and play as a female. Apparently, there's a world of difference between playing as Pac-Man and Ms Pac-Man. You know what? Maybe ambiguous female characters are better for these people - otherwise some character trait might rub them the wrong way and make it impossible to connect to that character because they can't think and feel like that character.

[QUOTE="MadVybz"]

[QUOTE="IndianaPwns39"]

Samus is a female though. Regardless of personality, the question was naming leading female video game characters, and she is.

the_hitman_guy

Literally, yes. But as a character, she's largely inhuman. She isn't as much of a 'leading role' as she is an avatar, which is basically the opposite of a character. I can't be the only one that feels that she's entirely separate from events that take place in the series. Tell me, what were her emotions towards Baby, or any events that occured in Metroid (exluding Other M) that don't come from your own interpretations? That's more or less what I'm getting at.

I don't dislike Samus either, I just don't think she's the character that most gamers make her out to be, but rather a blank slate that which we project our own expected personality traits on a female bounty hunter that's isolated like she is. This only makes me think that it wouldn't actually matter if she was male, female or anything else for that matter. The fact that we know that she is female is only a bit of shock value because it goes against stereotypes. I honestly don't think people would think anything of Samus if Nintendo didn't make that little twist at the end of the original Metroid on the NES.

But a female avatar is all GreekGameManiac and Smokescreened (the dominators of this thread) want. They don't even mask their disregard for the quality of a character's portrayal. They just want an option to do a chop on the avatar and play as a female. Apparently, there's a world of difference between playing as Pac-Man and Ms Pac-Man. You know what? Maybe ambiguous female characters are better for these people - otherwise some character trait might rub them the wrong way and make it impossible to connect to that character because they can't think and feel like that character.

A 'leading role' implies that that role has character, some distinct personality to that character alone - and as a result, carries the main interest of the story (hence the 'lead'). Samus doesn't have any of that, but rather the story unfolds around her as your progress through the game.

For example, Kratos is a character. Lightning from FFXIII is a character. Bayonetta is a character.

Samus, Link, and most other silent protagonists, aren't. That's why you can't really call Samus a 'leadling lady' when for the most part you can just swap her out for someone else and get the same result, as far as game story is concered.

The only reason why there's a 'world of difference' between controlling a male and controlling a female just boils down to removal from a comfort zone, which is the stereotype applied to females that they can't be leading roles.

And you're basically supporting my point in regards to 'thinking' and 'feeling' like a character - you're supposed to empathize with characters, not to feel as if their situation is your own. That's why an avatar can't really be called a 'leading role' - regardless if that avatar is male or female.

[QUOTE="El_Zo1212o"] Samus had a few monologues in Metroid: Fusion.MadVybz

Really? That's interesting. Fusion is the only Metroid title I never played, as I've simply never owned a GBA. I'm just a little pissed that Nintendo has no current plans to bring Metroid Fusion over to the 3DS' virtual console... which is stupid considering they've already put it on there for the Ambassador Program.IndianaPwns39

[QUOTE="pesh_fury"]

To tell the truth I stay away from games that have female lead, but I have to agree with you tc.

But you know what will be more awesome? If there were more female game designers, programmers etc

That will change the industry FOR THE BETTER I'm sure.

GreekGameManiac

Sadly,that's wrong for one simple reason.

Those women will never be DIRECTORS.

You're an absolute fool Mr. Greek. Amy Hennig from Naughty Dog would slap you in the face right now...

The only reason why there's a 'world of difference' between controlling a male and controlling a female just boils down to removal from a comfort zone, which is the stereotype applied to females that they can't be leading roles.

And you're basically supporting my point in regards to 'thinking' and 'feeling' like a character - you're supposed to empathize with characters, not to feel as if their situation is your own. That's why an avatar can't really be called a 'leading role' - regardless if that avatar is male or female.

MadVybz

I agree with you. But look at what the complainers on this thread are attacking: generic males heroes who are hardly distinguishable from each other. Furthermore, redemption is found in games where you get a simple gender choice. If they were really concerned about character, they would compare developed female characters (from No One Lives Forever, the Longest Journey, Beyond Good and Evil...) with developed male characters (solid snake, max payne, sam fisher, riddick, later GTA protagonists?) I'm not sure females would look all that disregarded then.

i'll never be a big 6 foot tall, heavily muscle army-type dude.

yet i enjoy games with those types of characters immensley.

games, like most other forms of fiction are an escape from reality. there will be a place for the realistic type of portrayls of people - male or female. but as far the mainstream goes, it'll be the idealistic form that will appeal the most.

strong confident male + sexy and confident female.

people wanna b*tch at this 'injustice'. but i'm here to remind you, we already live with reality each and every second of the day. people did not spend $10--> $60+ social commentary lesson.

Plus look at the games like Bayonetta and Heavly Sword. people b*tch at the lack of clothes.

one guy showing off his six pack posing, and one guy who is shirtless AND pantsless.

Games like every other medium are an escape, and video games especially are indulge our power-fantasies. and in some cases sexual-power-fantasies if you think about it.

That's what it is... it's fantasy... i mean check this out.

(multi-breasted woman, giant breasted woman of fertility)

we've been doing it since the dawn of time people....

there are cave drawings of men depicting themselves with massive dicks.

What i mean is exaggerating things that humans love in themselves or in others.

it's not going to go away. enjoy it for what it is, you already are on some level (whether you straight, gay bi, whatever).

Like i said before. there WILL be a place for mature storytelling, and we already do see it. but do not b*tch about the things that make us human.

As the gaming audience matures, so will parts of the gaming industry will. but just as it is with movies, books, and music. the immature and 'sexist' (and i put it in quotes because apparently based on what you wear or don't wear ALONE will send a sexist signal to people) imagry will always be around.

Speaking of diversity... did anyone NOT notice that Starhawk and Prototype 2 feature black lead characters, who are NOT related to sports, gangsta/crime?

[QUOTE="MadVybz"]

The only reason why there's a 'world of difference' between controlling a male and controlling a female just boils down to removal from a comfort zone, which is the stereotype applied to females that they can't be leading roles.

And you're basically supporting my point in regards to 'thinking' and 'feeling' like a character - you're supposed to empathize with characters, not to feel as if their situation is your own. That's why an avatar can't really be called a 'leading role' - regardless if that avatar is male or female.

the_hitman_guy

I agree with you. But look at what the complainers on this thread are attacking: generic males heroes who are hardly distinguishable from each other. Furthermore, redemption is found in games where you get a simple gender choice. If they were really concerned about character, they would compare developed female characters (from No One Lives Forever, the Longest Journey, Beyond Good and Evil...) with developed male characters (solid snake, max payne, sam fisher, riddick, later GTA protagonists?) I'm not sure females would look all that disregarded then.

Samus isno different from your generic male silent protaganist, and she is in fact worse than a generic male hero, in regards to being any brand of characater. That's the point.

The little twist of her being female is the only reason why there's an illusion of Samus having any distinguishable character at all (with the exception of 2 anomalies). That's why it's weird to me how someone can bash a generic male hero yet praise Samus Aran in a list of leading women. The fact that she has breasts doesn't change the fact that she's been largely a lifeless icon for 2 and a half decades.

In regards to redemption; did games like Legend of Mana, Fable, or any other game with a silent protagnist 'redeem' itself with a gender choice? Besides the arbitrary attachments a player would make that hold no connection to in-game qualities, no.It's just an example of how powerful cognitive schemas can be.

[QUOTE="markop2003"]Tomb Raider was not originally a female character she was just a female model used to represent a male character to prevent litigation over copying Indiana Jones. What we need is good characters with genders first and then good female characters can appear. ATM a lot of the characters are genderless and pretty much characterless. [QUOTE="Smokescreened84"] Just because it's a women being kidnapped doesn't mean it's a damsel in distress. If Dice are clever they could play on the fact that Faith is now a mother and the bond between mother and child.seanmcloughlin

And what do you think is the liklehood of DICE of all companies to deliver that amount of character and emotional intreraction? Not bloody likely. Chances are it will be a male lead and have more gunpplay because it's a male.

I wouldn't say the devs are sexist, they just think of gamers as nerds who want to play around with women and stare at them. They don't think very highly of the fans when it comes to these issues. Unless it's a japanese female character then you can say it's sexist on their behalf

seanmcloughlin

Literally, yes. But as a character, she's largely inhuman. MadVybz

people always mention how protagonists in video games are white males, but games never really tackle what it's like to be that gender or race. it's not that video games are limiting gamers to the "male experience" or whatever. they arent really exposing them to any specific experience of a gender.

most games are indifferent towards gender. like there are tons of medieval themed rpg's where the player can choose to be a man or a woman. however, choosing to play as a woman doesnt mean that the player has to throw out their armor for dresses and reduce their role to bearing children. it's the same experience of rescuing the kingdom and all that.

In regards to redemption; did games like Legend of Mana, Fable, or any other game with a silent protagnist 'redeem' itself with a gender choice? Besides the arbitrary attachments a player would make that hold no connection to in-game qualities, no.

MadVybz

Out of all the games coming out from this time, only a tiny handful allow for playing as female - Dragon's Dogma, Chainsaw Lollipop - although it's yet another male fantasy ideal of women game with a main lead who doesn't exactly show that the industry has matured in regards of it's attitudes towards females and Borderlands 2 - one female, three males yet again. Only three games have come out so far that allow for playing as female - Kingdoms Of Amalur, Final Fantasy 13-2 and Mass Effect 3. Every other game, which is about 99% of this year's releases both out now and coming out, are male lead only.

More female leads are needed in gaming, more gender choice in games, a more equal and balanced choice for gamers instead of generic male 5000's time and time again.Smokescreened84

By the way what are these male 5000's? Oh you mean like over 9000 games have bland male leads.

I won't be buying it, that's for sure. I was hoping for a return of Faith as the main lead, not as the stereotypical damsel in distress.Smokescreened84

To tell the truth I stay away from games that have female lead, but I have to agree with you tc.

pesh_fury

Whoops how did this get here.

It's no excuse to have you only playing as male though.Smokescreened84

I agree, I would love to see:

• A female assassin on Assassin's Creed
• A princess of Persia
• A female horse rider on Darksiders
• A female character on Resident Evil (like they did on RE4)
• And so on...

tjricardo089

May I also suggest... a cowgirl in a western, a female crime ladder climber in a Mafia game, a terrorist in Counter-Strike, playable female Aliens and Predators, female Wolfenstein or Red Orcherstra lead.

I want women in Battlefield 3

PetJel

because charaters are so crucial in Battlefield

I was hoping that Capcom would stop with the male lead only nonsense in the RE serie lately and have Jill, Claire and Rebecca back for RE6. I'm really interested in knowing what happened to Rebecca after the events of Zero and RE1.Smokescreened84

So the series that features female player characters in most games is filled with male lead only nonsense:

I would like to see a game that focuses on Claire and Sherry. We know that Sherry is able to fight in RE6, though the last time we saw her she was just a little girl. Her and Claire had a sort of mother and daughter relationship, which is largely unexplored territory in games. It could also show how Sherry developed her fighting skills and the like. Idk, I just think that arc is brimming with potential. That and I love Claire. I bought the Mercenaries 3D just to play as her again :P

I wouldn't mind seeing what Rebecca is up to as well. Her and Barry have been almost completely ignored even though their half of the surviving STARS members.

IndianaPwns39

It's just an example of how powerful cognitive schemas can be.

MadVybz

^ Sorry. For these people, the answer to the initial question is yes.the_hitman_guy

I want women in Battlefield 3

PetJel

Women aren't allowed in combat roles in most militaries including the US. So i can't see that working so well...