Princess controversy

I wrote on Gamefocus about the controversy on Fat Princess.  Here's the link, and the story:

Questions for the class at the bottom...

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Why The Wacko Feminist Nutjobs May Be Onto Something

Watch out! The ladies are getting their collective panties in a knot. The controversy surrounding Fat Princess is just starting, and expect more since it seems that blogosphere has gotten wind of this one. While the line “It’s not often I have the opportunity to congratulate a cutting-edge tech company on such splendiferous retrofuck jackholery” is an absolutely hilarious piece of vitriol, it unfortunately lowers the debate that is starting to rage concerning Fat Princess. Chin up girls. We can do better than to screech like a harpy at “the man”.

For the uninitiated, Fat Princess is a 32-player game due on PSN in 2009. Game details are sparse, but the object of Fat Princess is to rescue your girlfriend from the opposing team’s fortress. Unlucky for you, Fat Princess has been force-fed cake to increase her girth and throw a wrench into the rescue process.  The game features different classes, and 32 multiplayer on line action, but to be honest, gameplay details are sketchy, as the game isn’t due for release on the PSN until 2009. And as we reported yesterday: the feminists are starting to “cry” about this one.

The arguments have been predictable. Why can’t a game be a game? A woman was on the design team, so it’s okay. It’s supposed to be cute, so just relax. Would it be okay if a cute and skinny woman was the damsel in distress? Wah, feminists, it’s just a game, get with it.These arguments all miss the point. This little PSN game is contentious and here’s why:

You Can Never Be Too Rich or Too Thin

It’s a powerful one for women and girls these days. It’s a hot button topic for parents of tweens and teens who are trying to help keep their daughter’s heads on straight while bombarded with the message that if you are “fat” you know, like a size 10, you are ugly. On the flip side, obesity is North America’s epidemic, it’s not “cute”, it’s a health risk and games are often “blamed” for kids being too fat.

Sexism is a Fact in the Gaming World

Secondly, if the gaming world was equal, I don’t think I would get upset. And while it is getting better, the gaming industry is still heavily male dominated. I already wrote a piece on sexism on Xbox Live, and basically I endorse personal responsibility coupled with community involvement to make in game sexism taboo. It’s just awfully difficult to do when you have something like this show up. And when women speak up, they are patted on the head, good little thing, stop your crying.

Don’t Feed the Trolls

Thirdly, and in some ways, most importantly, it’s an election year. We don’t need this controversy. We don’t need to feed the trolls. Why are we giving the Jack Thompsons of this world the ammunition with which to harm ourselves?

While I may not consider myself a feminist, why are my panties are bunched too. Body image is a serious matter for women, and indeed obesity is a major health concern. Sexism is prevalent in the gaming world, this doesn’t help. The industry has enough dragons to tame without making our own. If that makes me a crybaby: then I say "waa".

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now, on gamegrep, and n4g ( aggregation sites) the comments people leave seem to suggest that I am for censorship. (oh, and a general all around fucktard - but if I was, I would be in Clanarchy (j/k guys, we all love ya, but it's so easy to make fun)).  

I really need feedback: cause I am not for censorship at all. I just see how this game is going to rock the boat in an industry that needs no rocking.  Now: are people seeing the "JayCat loves censorship" view cause of something in the article. because the internets are full of people who like to be angry?

Part of the reason, I believe,  is that as gamers, we are so embattled that we are no longer objective.  We will defend anything because it is a game, not becasue it's worth defending. Not that Fat Princess is really a HORRIBLE game. My point was that I can see why people can get upset.  But gamers will defend almost anything, instead of questioning our own industry.  Again: why put out a game that may alienate girls and women? Why even do it? Ah well.

Anyway: any feedback on the piece is greatly appreciated!