Today, let's talk about representation in gaming. In particular, let's talk about gender representation in video games. To be honest, it's shitty. The majority of women in the world of gaming are overly sexualized to the point of being sexual objects, useless and without agency in their worlds, or just plain old damsels, which is the most boring overly done, shitty role for anyone to take in a video game. However, there's progress being made, and a growing number of more complex, very respectable female characters within the world of gaming. There have been many claims that the gaming community and games in general are sexist and overly sensualize females, lessening them as characters.

To make my point, let's talk about some of the classic ladies in gaming.

Princess Peach and Princess Daisy are two of the damsels in the legendary Mario franchise. They are constantly being kidnapped by Bowser, never really willing to save themselves, and basically trophies for Mario to make out with at the end of their games.

Princess Zelda used to assume a much similar role, though in the newer installments of the Legend of Zelda franchise, she has been allowed a bit more freedom and agency in her world. However, I'm not here to pick on Nintendo IP's so lets move on.

This is Lara Croft from the Tomb raider franchise. As you can see, her breasts are exceedingly large as are her hips and thighs. She's not a solely sexual entity, but it's easy to see how she could be, and has been objectified over her years of existence.

Don't take me wrong, though. Not all the classical ladies of gaming are overly sexualized, gender stereotypes, or victims.

This is Samus Aran, a bounty hunter from space and the lead character in the popular Metroid franchise, a Nintendo IP. She's one of the most popular characters in all of gaming, and she's not alone. In recent times many more characters who are much more than their bodies or victims have popped up in the world of gaming.

This is Kerrigan, queen of the zerg swarm, conqueror of entire planets and ruler over an entire race of aliens fit to consume the galaxy as a whole. She's one of the most powerful women in the world of gaming. Yes, she is nude. Yes, there are plenty of people who find her attractive. But she's definitely more than just that.

While the representation of women in games hasn't been quite up to snuff, I do feel that it is improving. Game developers as a whole deserve more credit than they've been given.

That being said, game designers, WHAT IS THIS?!