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[Corpus]

DRAMASOURCE

[Guert]

 :D

[Problem Machine]

I think the problem with a lot of female characters in games isn't sexualization per-se but rather a pervasive cartoonish oversexualization. Any time you create a character to be a sex-object you're going to get something pretty wooden(no pun intended), and even worse, not very sexy. Of course, for the same reason I take issue to the phrase 'good role model', because the second you start trying to turn your character into a public service announcement you've made them less relatable and less human.

Personally, while I wouldn't go so far as to say the main character SHOULD be sexy, I will say that if they are sexual entities (and most characters above a certain age should be, to some extent) then it's a little ludicrous to deny that. That said, I certainly prefer real-world sexiness, that emerges from the character and their aesthetic, than cartoonish Jessica Rabbit Lara Croft torpedo-boobies (though I must grudgingly admit those are sometimes not without their charm).

[Radnom]

...I find it funny how no-one complains about the lack of non-sexualised MALE leads. I mean, come on, many male leads in games are either posh effeminate pretty boys or muscular ripped hulks. There aren't that many (non-cartoon, non-animal (blegh)) male characters that aren't somewhat sexualised.

I was somewhat intrigued by the decidedly ugly characters Kane and Lynch but I haven't played that game.

[Saint]

...I find it funny how no-one complains about the lack of non-sexualised MALE leads.

Hey, I said I wanted to see more variations among both genders.

I do agree with what you're saying (though there are some notable exceptions), but I don't think we can single out games for having an obsession with charismatic characters.

[TeeGee]

First thing I think of is Beyond Good and Evil. Perhaps not the most indie of games, but it did have a very strong female lead, yes?

I dunno, Jade from BGaE is pretty sexy, I would say. And yeah, the game's pretty awesome.

What about Terra from FFVI?


I know she's not really a lead, as it's a game with so many protagonists, but she's a pretty major and strong character, and we don't get to see her boobies.*

* Due to the system limitations most likely, but anyway.

[Shoot-em-upper]

Does Curly count?  She isn't quite the protagonist, but she's definitely a major character.

[Melly]

First thing I think of is Beyond Good and Evil. Perhaps not the most indie of games, but it did have a very strong female lead, yes?

I dunno, Jade from BGaE is pretty sexy, I would say. And yeah, the game's pretty awesome.

Jade is pretty good looking, but she's tasteful. She doesn't have breast physics or completely inpractical outfits, she's inteligent and can take care of herself in a tight situation.

And for that I think she's a strong female lead without having to resort to sex appeal. It's still there, though, because I know most women will want their female avatar to be attractive, but tastefully so.

[jwaap]

My game characters don't wear pants, so it's sort of hard to make non-sexualized female leads.

[ChevyRay]

First thing I think of is Beyond Good and Evil. Perhaps not the most indie of games, but it did have a very strong female lead, yes?

What about Terra from FFVI?

Darn, that was mine; luckily I read through the topic first. Terra was pretty awesome, but as the game progressed it became less centralized around her and every playable character sort of became the lead protagonist. Celes was a good character as well. It wasn't very indie, though as great of a game as it was.

[Noyb]

She's not a playable character, but the girl from Photopia?

[mewse]

She's not a playable character, but the girl from Photopia?

Oo, yes.   

Absolutely worth a play by anyone who missed it when it was new.
http://adamcadre.ac/if.html

[Pencil_In_Pain]

What about granny, from "The Graveyard"?

[Pacian]

I think the problem with a lot of female characters in games isn't sexualization per-se but rather a pervasive cartoonish oversexualization. Any time you create a character to be a sex-object you're going to get something pretty wooden(no pun intended), and even worse, not very sexy. Of course, for the same reason I take issue to the phrase 'good role model', because the second you start trying to turn your character into a public service announcement you've made them less relatable and less human.

Perhaps the word we're looking for is objectification.  And rather than 'role model' it might be better to ask for 'a female character with her own motivations'.  Obviously, these aren't mutually exclusive.  Sometimes it seems like the writers come up with a great idea for a character and the concept artists stick her in lingerie.

[Shambrook]

awsome non sexualised female charecter, or most awsome non sexualised female charecter?

[TeeGee]

*Runs away...*

[Problem Machine]

awsome non sexualised female charecter, or most awsome non sexualised female charecter?

If we can nominate non-leads then I'd like to mention Agrias Oaks, possibly my all time favorite female game character. I know this is kinda OT but... Agrias!

[Terry]

How about

[TeeGee]

How about

I see two HUGE contradictions!

[Terry]

I liked that it took until the third game for the writers to acknowledge that the character designers had given Mia ridiculously large contradictions. :D