Sexism in videogames and the games industry has recently been brought to the forefront of media attention. Once-unknown blogger Anita Sarkeesian and her site Feminist Frequency have leapt into the limelight to market heavily upon showing people how to change existing characters; how to make role models rather than sex symbols. However you may feel about her, she has brought many good points to the table about how women should or could be portrayed in videogames; but what about the things she and many others don’t notice? What about the other side of the table?
While it may seem strange, men can be offended by improper portrayals of the male gender as well. Crazy, I know. I was watching something on YouTube when this ad (shown above) popped up and left a bad taste in my mouth.
My problem is that no one cares about the reverse sexism on display in this video. This is a blatant jab at guys saying, “Hey, what if the girl was acting like some bro-dude douche bag? That would be funny right?”
Let me make something clear: I have never treated my wife like this ever. Not when we first met, not when dating, not after our vows. Regardless of if you are male or female, this behaviour is gross and unappealing. The fact that they are framing it that all men act that way is just as insulting.
(Might I add that it never SAYS it is her Xbox. In fact, the Xbox One’s Kinect can identify people in the room and simply log them in just by them walking in.)
If this had been a guy acting like this to his girlfriend, Microsoft would have already been beaten down with hate mail, the video would have been taken down and an apology sent out. But because it’s the other way around, the girls are getting their laughs and defending it.
There is is no equality here.
I am not demanding a response or an apology from Microsoft; I just think that there needs to be more of an equal response from the female side at least admitting that the girlfriend in the video was acting like an asshole. Male or female, she was being a royal dick.
Maybe this sounds petty and seems like I am looking too much into this. I most likely am getting frustrated over nothing and should learn to take a joke for what it is. Maybe, just maybe, I am being a little too sensitive about all of this.
But this is my solution:
How about next time this sort of thing pops up, we realize that no one is outright attacking anyone and allow companies to start marketing upon a crowd based upon their insecurities. In the future, we can strive towards not cashing in on people’s anger and manipulating a market to think a certain way through power.
How about we all take a step back and realize we are playing videogames. I will play a bald, beefneck space marine or an overly sexualized female if I feel like it BECAUSE I ENJOY THE GAME!
