This topic is about rape

[Ryko]

@Ikarys: To some degree, I think they meant to make it seem that way. This is supposed to be her first time into such a situation, and I don't think she expected it to be as harrowing as it turned out being. That said, the depiction of "I didn't sign up for this shit" could have been handled another way than how clumsily and ill-equipped she happens to be portrayed.

[tyven]

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4lhzji3ho1r79k32.gif

[Charismatic]

No matter what option is chosen, it is highly likely that there was another option. Sexual assault is just one of many doors one may choose to open.
Why? Because they felt like it, I'd wager.

Does one really need a greater reason than that? I don't believe so.

[isladar]

So wouldn't that be the fault of most mediums, and not just video games? I mean if an event happens that doesn't characterize, isn't it just random happenstance? Wouldn't it be even more jarring if we were in the middle of the tomb raider story and then it just popped in with "oh, and then she gets raped. Moving on..."?

Not making a direct comparison, just using the orphan thing as an example again. Kick-Ass specifically went about it this way "Yeah my mom died, but it doesn't mean anything."

It is the fault of most (read: all) mediums. Video games, as you argue, are just as much a vehicle for cultural showcase and context as any other, thus their failure in this regard is indicative of the failure of all the other (supposedly more legitimate) mediums. Your article is framed in terms of video games, and I'm saying this is endemic in everything. I'm lumping video games in with all the media we've access to, and eliminating the kiddie table.

And yes, simply tossing in "oh, and then there was sexual assault, but nbd" would be jarring. Because it would be pointless. My argument is that male-contextualized sexual assault as character-building background is just as pointless, because it's the same thing. It serves no purpose.

[isladar]

Chari: The "they felt like it" assessment is likely correct, but in the worst way possible: it was just as viable an option as being an orphan or having a bad break-up. It's also normalized as hell. The fastest way to add tension/characterization with a female character is to threaten her precious sexual goodies; this isn't empathic tension, it's possessive tension. They're the always assumed male audience's goodies, and no bad guy is going to get away with &c. &c.

Strong female character: responding to male-initiated helplessness in a male-oriented context. Characterization!

[Ryko]

Okay, so my next question is: How do you frame the same situation in a female context. If we have nothing but the actual conflict displayed on the screen, with no exposition or inner monologue to address it, how do we frame that in a female context? It was phrased humorously, but should the game make a detour to explain how Lara's dealing with the situation? Possibly a part of the epilogue. If we make it a matter of non-characterization, does it even get a mention?

[isladar]

Why is it there to begin with? What purpose does it serve?

Until the writers are honestly addressing these questions, I don't think the 'hows' deserve much consideration.

[Ryko]

Until the writers are honestly addressing these questions, I don't think the 'hows' deserve much consideration.

Well what I'm asking here is what purpose could it serve so as to not be considered pointless? Making it characterization material comes off as pointless, but making it a random occurrence is also pointless.

But then there's no point in avoiding the subject as well.

If it's all equally pointless, what is the answer?

[Chun Liroy]

No matter what option is chosen, it is highly likely that there was another option. Sexual assault is just one of many doors one may choose to open.
Why? Because they felt like it, I'd wager.

Does one really need a greater reason than that? I don't believe so.

Any press, is good press etc. I didn't even know about this game until this shit.

[Ikarys]

@Ikarys: To some degree, I think they meant to make it seem that way. This is supposed to be her first time into such a situation, and I don't think she expected it to be as harrowing as it turned out being. That said, the depiction of "I didn't sign up for this shit" could have been handled another way than how clumsily and ill-equipped she happens to be portrayed.

I can understand, and even appreciate, that an origin story involves adversity and the inadequacy, either perceived or real, of the main character; to struggle with their faults and emerge stronger for the experience. It is frustrating purely as a gamer, then, that we don't see some kind of development for this. Can you imagine an Uncharted Origin story where Nathan Drake is limping along in the desert, sniffling to himself because he just wants to go home? Or a Gears of War prelude that has Marcus Phoenix whimpering with a sprained ankle during basic training, panicked because he's all alone and the world is big and bad? The trailer is basically just organized, well-orchestrated Ryona, and I think it does a disservice to what could have been an opportunity to re-create a character that is important to a lot of people, and has always had the potential to be a strong female lead.

[Abandon]

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4lhzji3ho1r79k32.gif

dawwwwwwww

[Charismatic]

I can understand, and even appreciate, that an origin story involves adversity and the inadequacy, either perceived or real, of the main character; to struggle with their faults and emerge stronger for the experience. It is frustrating purely as a gamer, then, that we don't see some kind of development for this. Can you imagine an Uncharted Origin story where Nathan Drake is limping along in the desert, sniffling to himself because he just wants to go home? Or a Gears of War prelude that has Marcus Phoenix whimpering with a sprained ankle during basic training, panicked because he's all alone and the world is big and bad? The trailer is basically just organized, well-orchestrated Ryona, and I think it does a disservice to what could have been an opportunity to re-create a character that is important to a lot of people, and has always had the potential to be a strong female lead.

Lara Croft was, despite what anyone says, always meant to be little more than fap material
I mean, did you see those juggs on the original Lara Croft?

You don't create a character with cans like that for no reason.

[Ryko]

I can understand, and even appreciate, that an origin story involves adversity and the inadequacy, either perceived or real, of the main character; to struggle with their faults and emerge stronger for the experience. It is frustrating purely as a gamer, then, that we don't see some kind of development for this. Can you imagine an Uncharted Origin story where Nathan Drake is limping along in the desert, sniffling to himself because he just wants to go home? Or a Gears of War prelude that has Marcus Phoenix whimpering with a sprained ankle during basic training, panicked because he's all alone and the world is big and bad? The trailer is basically just organized, well-orchestrated Ryona, and I think it does a disservice to what could have been an opportunity to re-create a character that is important to a lot of people, and has always had the potential to be a strong female lead.

Understood, I'd play the hell out of wimpy Nathan Drake though.

No homo?

[Chun Liroy]

THOSE SWEET SWEET TRIANGLES

[Charismatic]

Sure, they could turn her into something else but I honestly don't believe they are really trying to do that. Anything they say that indicates otherwise is just spin imo.

[Chun Liroy]

THOSE SWEET SWEET TRIANGLES

I MEAN JUST LOOK AT THESE ONES

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4...9qvo7_1280.jpg

[Charismatic]

THOSE SWEET SWEET TRIANGLES

It may sound silly now but back in the day people were runnin' around looking for Tomb Raider nude codes.

[Ryko]

Custer's Revenge

[Chun Liroy]

THOSE SWEET SWEET TRIANGLES

mmmmmm

http://manvshorse.files.wordpress.co...en-and-now.jpg

[Chun Liroy]

It may sound silly now but back in the day people were runnin' around looking for Tomb Raider nude codes.

Oh, I don't doubt it in the least.