It's cool to see a thread about this subject that hasn't turned into an all out flame war. So yay for everyone talking about this like adults.
Ever since this Gamergate thing came about, I've been doing a lot of thinking about the issue of sexism/sexuality in games. I'm a woman, but I love fan service. I like anime like Golden Boy and Ah! My Goddess. I play hentai games. I'm also a feminist. Which may or may not make sense to some people. But basically, this is how I've come to think of it:
Most people would agree that Video games are an art form. And I would agree. It's a new medium for being able to express thoughts, feelings, and points of views that you can share with an audience. It's another way to tell a story. Like paintings, books, film and more, we are expressing and sharing experiences with others through creative means.
Like any other Art form, art has always been personal and political. It has also been commercial and superficial. Some take their craft and really want to do something meaningful with it, to make a statement or convey a strong sense of empathy. Others are taking the craft and just making something fun with it. Not a lot of in depth thought or messages or whatever, just something they think is enjoyable. Both of these are totally cool.
The issue here I think, is that it's rare that the in depth, personal and meaningful art gets made into widely consumed media. It's usually the light hearted, just for fun stuff that we mainly see day in and day out, unless we go and actively search for something different.
Which is fine. I think if you don't like something, then you can find something you DO like. The problem though is, is when the mainstream media stuff fills up so much of your experiences, that even though the people who made those things might not have really been trying to say anything with it, or just made it for fun, it has a very real impact on their audience. Sometimes, you keep seeing tropes and stereotypes so often that they begin coming off as facts. And that can be an issue. More so for some than others, but I think it does impact everyone on some level.
Video games are the same way, there have been mainstream commercial hits that most people consume, and there's plenty of other more meaningful games out there that you simply have to do a little digging for if you want them.
This has become a bit long winded, so I'm going to try and sum up by saying this: Mainstream media is always allowed to make whatever they want, and should. BUT, they should also be AWARE of the real power and impact they have on their audiences. Trying to censor art is bad, but telling an artist "hey, just so you know, this is really racist/sexist/whatever" is cool too.
Not everyone is aware of their own bad habits or judgments. Sometimes people need it pointed out to them. I know I needed it, and most likely still do from time to time. Nobody is brought up with a completely open and non-judgmental mind. Yeah, we're born that way, but everything around us as we grow up helps us form judgments and opinions that are not always true or right. And our media plays a hand in that.
TL;DR : Games are art and can be made however the creator wants. However, that doesn't mean the creator is always aware of the messages they're sending. Censoring art is bad, but pointing out that it's crappy for whatever reason is good.
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