It's a Man's World

by ZealPropht

Original Editorial: Wanted: Leading Ladies

I have to disagree with the notion that a strong female character can't be the lead in a Final Fantasy title. Hobbes Lionheart stated that you almost never see a female wielding a sword. This is true, but why is that? Why must almost every girl be the magic user/healer/scrawny thief?

I have seen many a fantasy novel written where women were the leading characters and kicked butt while wielding all sorts of weapons, wore armor, and led the men "to fight the dragon." So why, in the world of gaming, can't a character be created in the same image? It's not an unrealistic concept when truly considered. Physical strength isn't everything. The art of swordplay involves a lot of cunning, and swiftness, too.

A good number of Final Fantasy players are women (myself included) and it makes me rather annoyed by the stereotypical roles that are constantly forced upon female characters. Not all of us are weak, helpless ninnies who can't lift a stick to save ourselves. I believe that women can face boss battles and save the world just as much as any male can.

I think the real problem comes down to what Hobbes Lionheart pointed out in his rebuttle. The male gamers would be weirded out by female leads. I think that deep down, they feel a little silly playing as a girl. There seems to be an overlying belief that women in RPGs are nothing more than eye candy. As long as the pretty bimbo stays off to the sidelines and doesn't mess up her Cure spell, it's all well and good. But the second she starts muscling into the spotlight, she's called emotional and annoying.

A male who cannot defend himself, or is taking orders from women is also not seen as being terribly manly. The slang for that situation is "whipped" or a "pansy." Many men think that only they can run the show, or their masculinity is somehow threatened. Therefor, it is much easier to place a woman into a job class where she is seen as physically weaker and in need of sheltering. That way, the male ego can be boosted by "protecting" the female. See how this all works?

Now, don't get me wrong. I know that not every male gamer feels this way. But whenever I hear my male friends calling Yuna a whiny weakling, or Aeris a useless character to have in the party, it sure feels that way.

Also, I think another problem is that a female lead would probably generate much more of a romantic story. It's okay if a guy is mobbed by women, but a female lead would make the game feel like some sort of drug store paperback. I know some guys who are suckers for a tear-jerker romance, but I also know plenty of guys who would throw the controller down in disgust, declare the game a failure, and go play GTA3.

I agree that a modern or science fiction setting seems to have more of a chance of letting a woman take the reigns of the plot. One of my favorite games is Persona 2. The lead character is a woman, and although she never speaks (she has the Crono and Serge syndrome!) her story is what got the whole thing started. Shion from Xenosaga is great, although, KOS-MOS, while strong, still seemed made to appeal to male gamers.

Why can't we ever have a fully dressed woman and a pretty-boy wearing a thong? I know what most of you are saying. "I don't want to look at some guy's butt!" Well, that's how I feel when I look at some of the stuff I see jiggling on my TV screen. What's wrong with making men sex objects for a change?

Of course, the whole issue is about the money. Who buys games? Men, for the most part. Who do companies produce games for? Their target audience, which is mostly made up of male gamers. I think that until game companies get it through their skulls that women want more than Spyro and Harvest Moon, we won't be seeing a strong female lead for a long, long time.