Gamergate, misogyny and privilege. How are our communities affected by gender representation in games?

2014-11-19T09:21:09-05:00

How are our military communities affected by the issues raised in Gamergate? Never heard of Gamergate? Read the Gawker article for a primer.
http://gawker.com/what-is-gamergate-and-why-an-explainer-for-non-geeks [login to see]

I assume there are many gamers in the military from Xbox and PlayStation to computer MMOs and role playing. The portrayal of women as sexual objects in games normalizes this behavior (e.g. Grand Theft Auto). Women speaking out against sexism has been met with violent threats to include rape and death. Anita Sarkeesian on The Colbert Report (5min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9L_Wmeg7OTU

1) Is fair representation of gender in games such a big issue to warrant death threats to critics?

2) What issues does this create for the military?

What Is Gamergate, and Why? An Explainer for Non-Geeks

Until recently, you might have lived a life blissfully unaware of the online #Gamergate movement. But last week, computing giant Intel pulled its ads from an independent game-development site thanks to the gaming lobby. Now that major companies are taking sides, it's time to figure it out. Let us be your guides.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2014 10:50 AM

2014-11-19T10:50:04-05:00

I think the portrayal of women in video games is no different than it is in many other forms of entertainment. So long as there is a market for the products and women willing to debase themselves, it will not change. People have been raging against this for as long as I can remember (remember Tipper Gore and the "explicit lyrics" stickers on music she spawned? That was helpful), and the publishers laugh all the way to the bank as they garner free publicity.

As for the professionally "outraged", get a life. That there is a well-paying cottage industry that employs people to be angry all the time is a sad commentary as well.

Don't like it? Don't buy it.