The Impacts Of Representation: How Video Games Influence The Perception Of Women in Society

Video games have come a long way since their humble beginnings in the 1970s. Today, video games have become a multi-billion dollar industry with millions of players around the world, and with their ever-increasing popularity, video games have the power to shape the way people view the world and themselves.

In particular, the representation of women in video games has been a topic of much discussion and debate. In this article, we will explore the history of video games and women’s role in them, the way women are portrayed in different games, and the effects this type of representation has on modern society.

A Brief History Of Women’s Representation In Video Games

Video games have been around for over 50 years. In the early days, video games were mostly played by men, and the games were often designed with a male audience in mind. Women were not typically portrayed in video games, and when they were, it was often as a damsel in distress or a sexual object.

However, as video games became more popular and mainstream, women began to play a more significant role in them. In the 1980s, games like Ms. Pac-Man features female protagonists, and in the 1990s, Lara Croft became one of the most iconic video game characters of all time with the release of Tomb Raider. However, it wasn’t until the late 90s and early 2000s that female characters began to be featured more prominently in games, but even then, they were often highly sexualized and objectified.

Women’s Role in Popular Video Games

While these representations of women in video games were indeed a step forward, they were not without their problems. For example, although she was a strong, independent character, Lara Croft was often portrayed in a highly sexualized manner, with her curves and skin-tight clothing drawing criticism from many feminist groups.

This type of representation is not limited to just action-adventure games. For example, many online casino games are another area where women’s representation has been problematic. In many online casino games, women are portrayed as nothing more than sexual objects, with their bodies used to entice male players.

For example, in slot machine games, women are used as symbols, and their scantily clad bodies are used to entice players. This type of representation is damaging and reinforces harmful attitudes towards women.

Another example of this is the popular online slot game, Bikini Party. The game features five young women in bikinis playing volleyball on a beach, with the aim of the game being to match up their bodies for big payouts. This type of representation is not only demeaning to women but also reinforces harmful stereotypes about women’s bodies and their role in society.

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The Effects on Modern Society

The way women are portrayed in video games and online casino games has a significant impact on how they are viewed in society. Research has shown that over- exposure to sexualized images of women can lead to negative attitudes towards women, increased aggression towards women, and increased tolerance for sexual harassment.

On the other hand, positive representation of women in video games can have a beneficial effect on society. Games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Life is Strange feature well-developed female characters that challenge gender stereotypes and empower players. These games show that women can be just as strong and capable as men and that their value is not based on their appearance.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the representation of women in video games has come a long way, but there is still work to be done. The gaming industry has the potential to shape society’s perceptions of women, for better or for worse, and it is important that game developers take responsibility for the impact their games can have on society and strive to create more accurate and positive representations of women. It is also crucial for gamers to be aware of the way women are portrayed in games and to challenge harmful stereotypes and attitudes. It is up to us all to make this change.