Women and/in Video Games

I was remembering myself playing a video game earlier, while at the same time noticing one of my friends got a new girlfriend, and then remembering that, when I went to see an action movie recently, this friend had asked me if he could bring that now-girlfriend along. Then, the three thoughts collided in this. Why is it that women tend to like action movies, as do men, but many women don’t particularly care for video games, at least the way many men do?

Notice I’m using the absolute term “many” instead of the relative term “most.” I’m trying desperately to avoid stepping into stereotype territory.

Anyway, after pondering this for a while, I thought of something that had been bugging me concerning various video games I’ve been playing in the past. I’m particularly interested in the stories video games present, and by extension I love getting to know the characters in the story. But one thing that has bugged me recently is noticing how the female characters in video games (at least, the female lead characters) always tend to be cookie-cut from one of three designs. Male leads are generally varied in character (let’s forget Final Fantasy V exists for a moment), but female leads usually get the same general treatment. Or, one of a few general treatments.

SoulHow to Write an Interesting Video Game Story

I know I’ve been away for a while, but I’ve finally finished my final final exam, so here’s a present for you all: a new, long article. Yes, I’m technically putting it into my “soulhow” series, and I probably will be doing more, but the new soulhow articles will NOT be game-maker specific.

Anyway, one of the things so many amateur games are lacking, something that’s VERY important (in many games, but not all), is a story. And the thing that even the games that have a story (including some commercial ones) don’t have, is a GOOD story.

The story is actually one of my favorite parts of a video game, possibly because music in a lot of video games is meant to enhance it. So now, I’ve considered a lot of good game stories, and a lot of bad game stories, as well as some good game stories that have some issues. And here, I’m going to outline what I’ve found, for you, and only you. Actually, for you and everyone else who wants to read. Sorry if you thought you were special or something.

*Warning: I am using examples from stories of commercial games in the sections below. They may contain minor spoilers.*

…and then, I’ll rule the world!

If you were a super-villain, what would you want? Money, power, ice cream, or perhaps monkeys?

What about to rule the world?

It seems time and time again, uncreative video game designers continually spit out super-villains with only this vague goal. Kudos to villains like Dr. Weil (Megaman Zero 3-4), who wants to exert revenge on those who caused his exile and suffering, and the Joker (The Dark Night/Batman in general) who makes various philosophical points while enjoying random destruction. Even Dr. Dreyfus (Pink Panther Strikes Again) simply wanted to kill his rival and object of psychiatric obsession, Clouseau.

But what about villains like Dr. Eggman (Sonic the Hedgehog series), who continually tries to steal the chaos emeralds to rule the world, and Dr. Wily (Megaman series), who continually reprograms 8 robots to take over the world (and feed his unhealthy obsession with killing megaman)? Do they really have the right idea?

To find out, let’s have a look at the life of one lucky villain who realizes his ruling-the-world goal.

APA: VG Violence

An APA article (American Psychological Association) about how research strongly suggests how violence in video games can indeed increase aggression in players.  As you can see it answers questions and covers bases.

 
VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES CAN INCREASE AGGRESSION
May Be More Harmful Than Violent Television and Movies Because of the Interactive Nature of the Games

WASHINGTON – Playing violent video games like Doom, Wolfenstein 3D or Mortal Kombat can increase a person’s aggressive thoughts, feelings and behavior both in laboratory settings and in actual life, according to two studies appearing in the April issue of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Furthermore, violent video games may be more harmful than violent television and movies because they are interactive, very engrossing and require the player to identify with the aggressor, say the researchers.

Comp03

To everyone aware of the Third Yoyogames Competition (for video games), heads up, because I’ve gotten my idea.  In case anybody reading doesn’t already know, the theme is cooperation, which seems difficult at first, but I’ve already started developing, and this game is going to kick butt.  No details yet, but expect some soon.