For almost as long as videogames have been around, we have seen the sexual
exploitation of women within them. It is one of the many types of media where
the image of women are solely up to the views and imaginations of the writers.
There is no standard that must be met or limit to what they can do. The image
of women in these games can be warped into anything the developers want. Now,
it's no secret that “sex sells” and this holds true in the gaming world.
Especially when the developers of these games realize that their target
demographic is largely male. Game developers have exploited the images of women
in every genre of games. From fighting games to role-playing games, numerous
examples of over-the-top women can be found. Often they are in skimpy outfits,
with large breasts and a small waist. One classic example of this is Laura
Croft, from the Tomb Raider game series. This is even more ridiculous when
compared to men in the same games, who are often wearing some sort of body
armor or are at least fully clothed. Not only is this a double standard but it
gives the impression that for women, fashion is more important that function.
The creators of games clearly make intentional efforts to sexualize women in
multiple ways. By emphasizing their feminine body proportions they can increase
interest in the game. One of the most apparent example is that some games even
have specific programs that are created with the sole purpose of creating
realistic breast bounce. This way when a female fighter is jumping around in a
game like Mortal Kombat, the viewers get the “best” view. These examples are
just a few of the ways that game developers will exploit women to increase
sales for their games. Often they have no regard for their exploitation of
these women, and it seems this will continue.
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