‘Tropes vs. Women In Video Games’ Web Series Officially Launches

‘Tropes vs. Women In Video Games’ Web Series Officially Launches

on March 8 | in News | by | with 3 Comments

Anita Sarkeesian’s Kickstarter-funded web series, which explores the different tropes and clichés that have plagued female game characters since the days of Jump Man and Pauline, has officially debuted and the first episode is available to watch now.

In the inaugural episode of ‘Tropes vs. Women in Video Games’, Sarkeesian explores the shockingly popular trope of the “damsel in distress.” During the 23-minute episode, she compares the prevalence of the trope to other famous mediums throughout history such as literature, art, and film while also using plenty of video game examples such as Double Dragon, Legend of Zelda, and, of course, Super Mario.

The entire series is set to be twelve episodes long and will examine both the “damsel in distress” trope along with four others. Through her ‘Tropes vs. Women in Video Games’ web series, Sarkeesian offers a critical, yet insightful, viewpoint into the roles of female video game characters and how, hopefully, game developers can work to avoid the sexist trends of the past. Check out the first episode below and be sure to visit Anita’s official website Feminist Frequency to check out her other videos.

Source: Joystiq

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about the author:

When he isn't off fighting imaginary monsters, Nate spends his time writing, reading, cruising the internet, and, of course, gaming. He is the author of the gaming blog "Inner Thoughts of a Quiet Gamer" as well as the original Combat Crossover series which first debuted on vgu.tv. He can be reached by email at nhohl88@gmail.com

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  • http://www.facebook.com/ilikeshorts Christopher Erb

    It’s a bit dry, but worth watching. Looking forward to the rest of the series, and I’m glad she disabled video comments after the fiasco around the kickstarter.

  • http://twitter.com/toguns87 Tunde Ogundipe

    Frankly, I question the point of this series. Exactly why is it that media whose primary goal is to entertain has to be conscious of social justice? Does everybody writing a game have a responsibility to make sure that any and all women are positive role models? Do they have to see to it that absolutely nobody is offended by their content? Is that really a desirable outcome?

  • Specter Von Baren

    I’m confused. Here it says she’ll be discussing four tropes but on the kickstarter site it says.

    Damsel in Distress – Video #1

    The Fighting F#@k Toy – Video #2

    The Sexy Sidekick – Video #3

    The Sexy Villainess – Video #4

    Background Decoration – Video #5

    Voodoo Priestess/Tribal Sorceress – Video #6

    Women as Reward – Video #7

    Mrs. Male Character – Video #8

    Unattractive Equals Evil – Video #9

    Man with Boobs – Video #10

    Positive Female Characters! – Video #11

    Top 10 Most Common Defenses of Sexism in Games – Video #12

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