Sinister Seductress - Tropes vs Women in Video Games

Please watch: "The Courageous Life of Ida B. Wells #OrdinaryWomen"
• The Courageous Life of...
~-~~-~~~-~~-~
Subscribe for more videos: bit.ly/2bDhQUX Support feminist media criticism and keep our videos free, donate today: www.feministfre...
This episode explores how female villains in games very often function to demonize femaleness itself, drawing on patterns of female representation that have roots in creatures from myth and folklore which reinforced misogynistic attitudes about women in their own time. We look at Grotesquely Female characters: those who communicate that femaleness is abhorrent and disgusting, and at Sinister Seductresses: those who suggest that female sexuality is inherently threatening and misleading. We then explore characters who blend these two notions, initially appearing attractive and alluring, only to have their true form revealed as monstrous and deadly. Finally, we demonstrate that it’s entirely possible to have great female villains who don’t serve to reinforce false, misogynistic ideas about women as a whole.
This is the sixth episode in season two of Tropes vs. Women in Video Games. For more on the format changes accompanying season two, please see our announcement here: www.kickstarte...
Full transcript, links and resources for this episode: wp.me/p7K8cI-acO
ABOUT THE SERIES
The Tropes vs Women in Video Games project aims to examine the plot devices and patterns most often associated with female characters in gaming from a systemic, big picture perspective. This series will include critical analysis of many beloved games and characters, but remember that it is both possible (and even necessary) to simultaneously enjoy media while also being critical of it’s more problematic or pernicious aspects. This video series is created by Anita Sarkeesian and the project was funded by 6968 awesome backers on Kickstarter.com
GAMES REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE
Doom 3 (2004)
Diablo 3 (2012)
God of War II (2007)
Dante’s Inferno (2010)
Bloodforge (2012)
Battletoads Arcade (1994)
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 (2009)
Hitman: Absolution (2012)
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons (2013)
DmC: Devil May Cry (2013)
Ms. Splosion Man (2011)
Gears of War 3 (2011)
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 (2014)
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II (2004)
Portal 2 (2011)
Portal (2007)
Where in the U.S.A. is Carmen Sandiego? (1996)