So without going into gender issues, representation in games etc. I can say this- the argument presented falls flat on its face. “Stronger” not “tougher” is what’s being discussed. So if logically one would want the most protection available- the fact female video game characters barely wear armor could mean they are TOUGHER, but it could also mean they lack the strength to carry heavy armor worn by male characters.
Well- like I said hammerhead- without getting into issues of gender politics and gaming etc- just framing the issue as presented as a non “metagame” issue. The attributes of a digital character aren’t linked to any real world counterparts- it is a representation of a human etc. and not an actual human.
But yes- the predominant factor for why female characters outfits tend to be so much less practical compared to male characters is the objectification or sexualization of female characters. There is an element of design- female characters and classes often tend to be dexterity or agility based- and visually “less” gives an impression of dynamic movement and agility
While underplaying imposing physicality. However- in real world and fantasy games this technique is used for looks and practicality on other types or genders of character without resorting to sexualization or laughably impractical outfits.
So any justifications offered to why other than objectification or sexualization a female character would be “scantily clad” versus a male character falls short. Likewise claims that some guy with crazy spikes all over his armor or impossible hair dismisses it as part of some idea that “all these outfits aren’t realistic. That’s why it is fiction!” Don’t fly because of all the extreme choices one could choose there is a reason the male character is not in the thong and thigh high boots with metal nipple pasties and the female warrior isn’t in crazy plate armor. Someone made that choice and it was a conscious decision.
Now- when we have a shirtless male barbarian in a loin cloth and a female barbarian in a loin cloth and a tattered top- ok. That MIGHT be ok. It depends on some things. If the idea is these folks live off the land and cobble functional clothing... well... if they get hot and move around man and woman aren’t wearing much- so long as she doesn’t look more “runway chic savage” than the male “just rolled out of the wilderness..” it can get nuanced but yeah. In general there are gender issues at play. But if we are comparing based on the idea these outfits reflect character attributes and not from a “metagame” place- I stand by my analysis.
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· 4 years ago
Play 1st edition D&D. Female characters used to have -4 Strength there.
Hell- tons of video games and RPG games have tended to start female players (or classes locked to female) with less strength. Can a woman be as strong as a man? Sure. Depends on the woman and depends on the man. A female pro athlete will likely be stronger than 80-90% of men you pull off the street. Grab two random men and women... the women will on average have less upper body strength. Amongst “untrained” individuals men on average have a higher body strength. Not everyone will be as strong but a strong person can come from anywhere. When it comes to mental strength, toughness, spiritual strength, strength of will- that’s different. Upper body strength? Men have a genetic edge.
While underplaying imposing physicality. However- in real world and fantasy games this technique is used for looks and practicality on other types or genders of character without resorting to sexualization or laughably impractical outfits.