Not Your Exotic Fantasy - Tropes vs. Women in Video Games

This episode explores the ways in which sexist, racist stereotypes about Black women and tribal cultures that date back for centuries are often still perpetuated today in representations of women from indigenous and tribal cultures in video games. These representations link sexism and racism to exotify these women, depicting them as primitive, savage, and hypersexualized. We examine the historical roots of these racist and sexist myths in America and the damage they continue to cause, and demonstrate how these representations are acts of cultural appropriation. We then conclude by sharing some examples of games that challenge damaging stereotypes rather than reinforcing them by offering representations of people and cultures that are honest, respectful, and humanizing.
This is the seventh 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-azg
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
Far Cry 3 (2012)
Resident Evil 5 (2009)
Hyrule Warriors (2014)
Diablo III (2012)
Golden Axe: Beast Rider (2008)
Gun.Smoke (1985)
StarTropics (1990)
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015)
Street Fighter IV (2008)
Half-Life 2: Episode 1 (2006)
Half-Life 2: Episode 2 (2007)
Remember Me (2013)
Mafia III (2016)
1979 Revolution: Black Friday (2016)
Never Alone (2014)
Help make the media more feminist: www.feministfre...
NEW WEBSITE: feministfrequen...
Facebook: / femfreq
Twitter: / femfreq
Instagram: / femfreq
Tumblr: / femfreq