Culture / Gender Robin Burke GAM 224

Outline Culture paper Culture / Gender

Culture paper Due 3/16 No late papers! Topic: heroism

Quiz #3 My mistake Not next week 3/16 same day as culture paper is due turn in Culture Paper hardcopy 30 minute quiz

Gender Sexual identity, especially in relation to society or culture. Usage note [The distinction between usage for "sex" and gender"] is supported by the practice of many anthropologists, who reserve sex for reference to biological categories, while using gender to refer to social or cultural categories.

Gender The question of how biological categories are given cultural meaning And how the cultural categories that relate to gender affect our perception of biology Some facts biological categories are (mostly) clear-cut cultural meanings vary widely between cultures and times

Gender in games Games have no biology there are no biological facts to discover about game characters although real actors are used for motion capture and voice work Games are cultural products rich ground for looking at gender not just appearance but also activity Some games encourage expression of identity gender identity necessarily included

Questions Perception (Game -> Culture) How are gender differences portrayed in games? appearance mechanics Stereotypes (Culture -> Game) What cultural stereotypes about gender show up in games?

Stereotypes Masculine appearance? activities / roles? Feminine appearance? activities / roles?

Exaggeration Game imagery is often exaggerated true for action imagery and sound true for mechanics Also true for stereotypes hyper-masculine and hyper-feminine characters

What is exaggerated here? Large breasts, slim waist Partial nudity Eyes – half closed Erect nipples Mouth partly open tongue visible Message?

How to analyze Static imagery how do they look? Look for exaggeration activity vs image conflict or harmony dominance position in image aggregate impact differences between characters in the same game

How to analyze II Motion imagery what do characters do? Look for characteristic actions vocal characteristics active vs passive camera angle how is a character introduced?

How to analyze III Game play what can you do with a character? Look for abilities / restrictions rules interaction with other characters play rewards simulation what and how much

Example 1a

Example 1b

Example 1c

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Example 9a

Example 9b

Motion imagery Examples Kingdom Hearts Final Fantasy X-II

Marketing SmackDown vs Raw o_player/popup.php?sid= &pi d= o_player/popup.php?sid= &pi d= Rumble Roses XX o_player/popup.php?sid= &pi d=929261

Play activities Example Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Prince Sword Farah Bow and Arrow can’t jump as far her role is to help him progress Superstar Saga

Constructing the player How does a film “create” the viewer? “the male eye” How does the game envision the player? what does the player want to see? what does the player want to do in the game world?

Does gender-specificity matter? "Give the boys what they want." Monotony limiting the space of design possibilities Appeal 50% of possible consumers Harm promulgation of stereotypes

Market opportunity? Girl games Barbie Mary-Kate & Ashley etc. Not perceived as an important market fewer buyers / lower profit low investment low production values Some exceptions Nancy Drew Kim Possible

Recent developments Developers are (a bit) more sensitive wider range of female character types customizable avatars Still very few women designers / developers much interest in hiring more

Stereotypes of Gamers Also reflective of the same dynamic Examples “Thank you, World of Warcraft” (

Monday In-class exercise Homework #2: Character art due on Sunday