Culture / GenderOutlineCulture paperQuiz #3GenderSlide 6Gender in gamesQuestionsStereotypesExaggerationWhat is exaggerated here?How to analyzeHow to analyze IIHow to analyze IIIExample 1aExample 1bExample 1cExample 2Example 3Example 4Example 5Example 6Example 7Example 8Example 9aExample 9bMotion imageryMarketingPlay activitiesConstructing the playerDoes gender-specificity matter?Market opportunity?Recent developmentsStereotypes of GamersMondayCulture / GenderRobin BurkeGAM 224OutlineCulture paperCulture / GenderCulture paperDue 3/16No late papers!Topic: heroismQuiz #3My mistakeNot next week3/16same day as culture paper is dueturn in Culture Paper hardcopy30 minute quizGenderSexual identity, especially in relation to society or culture. Usage note[The distinction between usage for "sex" and gender"] is supported by the practice of many anthropologists, who reserve sex for reference to biological categories, while using gender to refer to social or cultural categories.GenderThe question of howbiological categories are given cultural meaningAnd howthe cultural categories that relate to gender affect our perception of biologySome factsbiological categories are (mostly) clear-cutcultural meanings vary widely between cultures and timesGender in gamesGames have no biologythere are no biological facts to discover about game characters•although real actors are used for motion capture and voice workGames are cultural productsrich ground for looking at gendernot just appearance but also activitySome games encourage expression of identitygender identity necessarily includedQuestionsPerception(Game -> Culture)How are gender differences portrayed in games?•appearance•mechanicsStereotypes(Culture -> Game)What cultural stereotypes about gender show up in games?StereotypesMasculineappearance?activities / roles?Feminineappearance?activities / roles?ExaggerationGame imagery is often exaggeratedtrue for action imagery and soundtrue for mechanicsAlso true for stereotypeshyper-masculine and hyper-feminine charactersWhat is exaggerated here?Large breasts, slim waistPartial nudityEyes – half closedErect nipplesMouth partly opentongue visibleMessage?How to analyzeStatic imageryhow do they look?Look forexaggerationactivity vs image•conflict or harmonydominance•position in imageaggregate impact•differences between characters in the same gameHow to analyze IIMotion imagerywhat do characters do?Look forcharacteristic actionsvocal characteristicsactive vs passivecamera angle•how is a character introduced?How to analyze IIIGame playwhat can you do with a character?Look forabilities / restrictions•rulesinteraction with other charactersplay•rewards•simulation•what and how muchExample 1ahttp://www.us.playstation.com/Content/OGS/SCUS-97316/Site/Example 1bExample 1cExample 2Example 3Example 4Example 5Example 6Example 7Example 8Example 9aExample 9bMotion imageryExamplesKingdom HeartsFinal Fantasy X-IIMarketingSmackDown vs Rawhttp://www.gamespot.com/pages/video_player/popup.php?sid=6161318&pid=932465Rumble Roses XXhttp://www.gamespot.com/pages/video_player/popup.php?sid=6140720&pid=929261Play activitiesExamplePrince of Persia: Sands of Time•Prince•Sword•Farah•Bow and Arrow•can’t jump as far•her role is to help him progressSuperstar SagaConstructing the playerHow does a film “create” the viewer?“the male eye”How does the game envision the player?what does the player want to see?what does the player want to do in the game world?Does gender-specificity matter?"Give the boys what they want."Monotonylimiting the space of design possibilitiesAppeal50% of possible consumersHarmpromulgation of stereotypesMarket opportunity?Girl gamesBarbieMary-Kate & Ashleyetc.Not perceived as an important marketfewer buyers / lower profitlow investmentlow production valuesSome exceptionsNancy DrewKim PossibleRecent developmentsDevelopers are (a bit) more sensitivewider range of female character typescustomizable avatarsStill very few women designers / developersmuch interest in hiring moreStereotypes of GamersAlso reflective of the same dynamicExamples“Thank you, World of Warcraft”•(http://www.dailymotion.com/video/29946)MondayIn-class exerciseHomework #2: Character artdue on