Con Argument -- Page 1

Even without holding a feminist perspective, it is well known that video games are sexist. The question is, "is it a problem that video games are sexist, or is it just our social norm shining through?" Since video games are a product created by our society, are they even able to exist without inherent traits such as sexism? There are many arguments saying that video games have a negative effect on how our society views women. A variety of sources argue that the design of video games that people disagree with are not causing as much harm as they one might think. Here on the CON section of our site, we explore these arguments.

Since the creation of video games, the industry has been built towards the male player. With that in mind, it’s not a surprise that males are the main demographic for the gaming industry. After all, this audience naturally responds to games containing topics and views that are catered to match their own (Burroughs). In the case of women, they are shown with reveling clothing and large proportioned body parts.

But are the forms of sexism in video games such a surprise? Since they are expected, are they such a bad thing? The sexism found in video games is just basic male eye candy, a product made by men for men, and is completely harmless when you think of it simply as advertising (Kalogeropoulos). Juliet Starling’s skimpy outfits don’t assert that women can’t be important without prancing about in seductive attire. They are merely a marketing ploy that has effectively sold products since the dawn of society.

Just as a cereal box uses a leprechaun to promote a cereal that they want kids to buy, many believe that the largely proportioned women or giant, buff, gun-toting, warrior he-men you see in video games are just the “eye catchers” to promote their product (Burroughs). Without being harmful or too revealing, designers don’t see any issue in promoting their product in this fashion.

Sex sells, and designers are just part of a very competitive industry. People get ahead by taking advantage of this current craze, and there is little else to be said (Kalogeropoulos). Game developers need to do something to make people want to play their games, and choosing what the characters look like isn’t being sexist. Rather, it’s displaying a sense of smart marketing. The sexism is nothing but a selling point and shouldn’t be seen as anything more.