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[SundownKid]

I think my point is, make the character you want to make as long as you're not being directly insulting by doing it. If you want to make a self-sufficient female action lead like Jade from BG&E, that's your perogative, but people shouldn't be penalized for putting sexy women into the main role just like guys like Edward are stuck into Twilight (and pretty much every bishonen character ever). There are no "rules", so to speak.

[HöllenKobold]

Just make sure it actually fits the context.
But that's a standard rule for good character design.

[Erobotan]

I agree with Preece and Sundownkid!

The ideal female protagonist should be based on 2 things!
1. Your ideal view of female protagonist (because if you don't like the protagonist, creating the game with her in it will be even harder)
2. Your target market (if your target is woman, it's better if she's fully clothed, if the target market is guys then it's better if she shows some skin, if your target market is both woman and guys then .. uh ... good luck with it XD - it can be done but be prepared for some hair pulling moments, especially when you and your team creating the protagonist's personality & story)

[s0]

if your target is woman, it's better if she's fully clothed, if the target market is guys then it's better if she shows some skin, if your target market is both woman and guys then .. uh ... good luck with it XD

[King Tetiro]

I agree with Preece and Sundownkid!

The ideal female protagonist should be based on 2 things!
1. Your ideal view of female protagonist (because if you don't like the protagonist, creating the game with her in it will be even harder)
2. Your target market (if your target is woman, it's better if she's fully clothed, if the target market is guys then it's better if she shows some skin, if your target market is both woman and guys then .. uh ... good luck with it XD - it can be done but be prepared for some hair pulling moments, especially when you and your team creating the protagonist's personality & story)

I agree with this. Regardless of gender, I'll always have an ideal view of the protagonist.

And sadly guys skin showing females is a sad truth of the gaming industry. Alot of developers and gamers are too horny when it comes to developing female protagonists. I mean there's Tifa, Lara Croft and Nariko to name just three.

[gimymblert]

PITCH YOURS!!

[Ben_Hurr]

if your target is woman, it's better if she's fully clothed, if the target market is guys then it's better if she shows some skin, if your target market is both woman and guys then .. uh ... good luck with it XD

You mean targeting women as a group vs. teenage boys right?

[s0]

if your target is woman, it's better if she's fully clothed, if the target market is guys then it's better if she shows some skin, if your target market is both woman and guys then .. uh ... good luck with it XD

You mean targeting women as a group vs. teenage boys right?

i was thinking more along the lines that

1. its weird to differentiate characters by how revealing their clothing is
2. i know a ton of people who dont fit into these taste patterns

(i know the game industry thinks like that but the gam industry is dum)

but yeah, that's a good point too

[Erobotan]

PITCH YOURS!!

It really depends on the story and setting I guess

In modern setting, probaly a blazer and miniskirt, just like Takanashi Rikka :D.

In Medieval Fantasy setting .. well it depends on her class/job ... I expect plate mail all over the place for a knight; for a dancer, showing some cleavage and midriff/some legs/both would be good; Rogue will be in the middle, less skin showing when compared to dancer but not as fully covered as knight; A temple priestess will wears a robe which covers all/almost all of her body; A barbarian will simply wear bikini.
In traditional japanese setting ... a cute kimono? or a miko outfit is she's going to be involved in battle. A Kunoichi will probably wears soemthing similar to a Rogue.

And sadly guys skin showing females is a sad truth of the gaming industry. Alot of developers and gamers are too horny when it comes to developing female protagonists. I mean there's Tifa, Lara Croft and Nariko to name just three.

That's why people create their own games :D. Female developers who get tired with how game industry portrays female character do exist. If you have trouble creating your own games, then supporting these female game developers is a good choice. Buy their games, email them and tell them that you love their games, give them cool ideas, etc.

I really facepalming hard when tons of woman chose to support a kickstarter project about boring documentary movie about how game industry portrays woman instead of supporting these feminist game developers who actually create games ....

You mean targeting women as a group vs. teenage boys right?

i was thinking more along the lines that

1. its weird to differentiate characters by how revealing their clothing is
2. i know a ton of people who dont fit into these taste patterns

(i know the game industry thinks like that but the gam industry is dum)

but yeah, that's a good point too

Well, I'm talking from the marketing point of view ^^. I personally think it's normal for guys to be heavily interested in sex and I don't think that these traits only limited to teenage boys (at least that's the impression i get from watching my older male friends - around 30 years old - one of them always derail any topic to sex x__X - it's both amazing and embarassing lol). Maybe it's safer to say that teenage boys only think about sex and when they reach adulthood, they're split in two categories (one is still heavily think about sex and the other is less?)

[feminazi]

probably not this

[Schoq]

[Erobotan]

probably not this

What are you talking about? Blazer + miniskirt are full of wins!!! and Takanashi Rikka is cute beyond help!!!

[gimymblert]

@ERObotan

Oh yes facepalming onto "tons of women" seriously? Their was ton of men who donate too, most arguing actually come from men inside the industry too (at least in forums) as women tend to not like the hate they attract by speaking their heart, and also why men attract promotion for every games they made (bad or good) yet women get ignored when they release something? Have heard about the story of "her interactive" (big sales no coverage)?

[antoniodamala]

like any woman you could see on the market, or on the streets, or in any part of real life.

[F8_Sean]

Nausicaa is an excellent example, but I still think she's thrust into the action hero role. Still, definitely better than most. Miyazaki recognizes the issue.

First problem: Is there a "proper" look for a male lead? Of course not. Why would the opposite be true?

Second problem: Who says a female lead needs to be attractive? Attractive to who? Do you need to be attracted to or able to relate to a lead character to enjoy a game?

Shooters and action games are inherently male in their design. Injecting a female lead into a masculine setting results in a masculine female lead. While "female soldiers" might be "politically correct," is that the only way to go?

We have it in our minds that video games have to be about stronger-than-average protagonists, and that idea just lends itself to a male skew. We build games about situations where it's advantageous to be a man, then expect to fit a female protagonist in without adapting the design.

I think a female lead like Amelia Earhart would be a small step forward. That's my pitch.

[Erobotan]

@ERObotan

Oh yes facepalming onto "tons of women" seriously? Their was ton of men who donate too

then I facepalming onto those tons of men too .. but I guess it's their right if they choose a documentary movies over real games.

I actually like management games from HanakoGames, too bad her artwork is kinda lacking (it's getting better in her latest games though since she can hire high quality artist, but there is still lots of room for improvement which can be solved with more budget - like more sprite animations and better GUIs ).

and also why men attract promotion for every games they made (bad or good) yet women get ignored when they release something? Have heard about the story of "her interactive" (big sales no coverage)?

How should I know? But I believe that woman should take matter into their own hands and promote/create their own games instead of asking men to change their sex-driven way of thinking. Being independent is fun :3

[gimymblert]

Well actually lot of manga have strong female lead in action sequence while avoiding the male swap syndrome or the sexy syndrome, or the buxom syndrom! Okay they have also plenty of bad example TOO Also bronies ...

Here is a character: fully cloth, feminine cloth, strong ... and in a porn story with heavy story and plenty character relation, something that should not exist by any logic right?



@Erobotan
It was about raising issue about the TRAP, indies was also made by speaking up and making huge splash, that's what is happening with women in game too. What this kickstarter does is the same as what tigsource (and co) has done.

[Erobotan]

I vote for Hanasaki Tsubomi from Heartcatch Precure!!! http://prettycure.wikia.com/wiki/Hanasaki_Tsubomi

It was about raising issue about the TRAP, indies was also made by speaking up and making huge splash, that's what is happening with women in game too. What this kickstarter does is the same as what tigsource (and co) has done.

That's cool, but you guys really should stop at around 15k-ish max instead of going crazy and reach 158k ... . I can create 10 high quality games with 158k budget. By high quality i mean along the lines of Recettear, Eternal Fighter Zero, Castlevania, Zelda GBA.

[ClayB]

probably not this

 

ALSO I JUST REALIZED, perfect example:



this is how you make a female character game appropriate (proper Victorian era/vampire hunter attire), badass, and unoffensive (though she could do without the thigh flashing)

also, this is the second time I've brought her up, and I've only posted on this site like 60 times

[ink.inc]

i am okay with any of these:

amelie poulain (amelie)



margaret (persona 4)




motoko kusanagi (ghost in the shell film, NOT the series)



san (princess mononoke)



daria morgendorffer (daria)



balalaika (black lagoon)



juno macguff (juno)