« NotM: Lost Girls – The Afterward | Home | a Message to You, Rudy »
Round Table: December ‘07 – UPDATE 12/31
By Corvus | December 31, 2007
Here we are at the end of the year already! In the past I’ve given the December Round Tables a holiday theme, but this year I think there’s a slightly more important topic we ought to take a look at. Several events over the last few months have informed this choice of topics and I hope we can use it to good effect…
December ‘07
Subject: Gender & Games. There are plenty of sites, blogs, journalists and academics talking about the role of gender in videogames. But within the larger spectrum of the industry, there seems to be far more energy focused on not talking about it, not directly anyway. This is our opportunity to let our voices be heard. Whether you choose to address the role of gender within a particular game, within the industry or within the videogame playing community, this month’s Round Table challenges you to consider the difficulties of gender portrayal and gender perception within a modern creative medium and global industry.
I know this topic can be a tough one to address. I know it’s a topic that tends to evoke strong responses in people. I hope we can use it to find an accord, a common ground. I hope that we can use this Round Table to facilitate an ongoing discussion which can carry us forward into a new year of playing games together and working within a culture together.
As always, everyone is free to join in and any post published between now and the end of the month can be submitted. Simply read the FAQ for information on getting your post included and feel free to contact me with any questions.
Krystian Majewski has launched this month’s Round Table with Endless Ocean: Games for People. Krystian is a German game designer who, along with two other game designers, maintains the blog Game Design Reviews. In this post Krystian takes a look at the Wii title Endless Ocean and compares its appeal to so-called “Pink Ware.” Be sure to stop by and welcome Krystian to the Round Table!
I posted on the prevalence of misogynistic underpinnings–in our games, our industry, our politics and our culture in How Do We Beat the Bitch?
Jason of Unfettered Blather takes a look at gender, choice and objectification in I’m Not Bad, I’m just Drawn That Way.
Chris Bateman of Only a Game has posted a thoughtful look at The New Gender Agenda
I have a completely open policy with the Round Table. As long as the post is written during the month of the table and is roughly on topic, it’s in. Thanks to this policy, I have been rewarded with thoughtful posts from a broad spectrum of developer, designer and gamer. SSH83, on the other hand, has the dubious distinction of submitting a petulent rant which has made me question the wisdom of that policy. However, his post raises some interesting points about gender depiction and the financial realities of the marketplace. So go and welcome him to the Round Table with vigorous discussion!
Thomas of Mile Zero touches on a game franchise that’s done a good job of portraying realistic female characters in his post Woman’s Touch.
UPDATE
Gianfranco of GBGames chimes in with an excellent question about Gender Portrayal and the Meaning of Game Elements. Go and see if you can answer it.
You’ve still got the remainder of the day to get a post included in the Round Table! I’ll be writing a conclusion post first thing tomorrow morning, so I’ll probably even add really late entries!
Tagged:Blogs of the Round Table, Games, gender, Industry. | No Comments »