Video games are like porn

Yep, I’m going to make the comparison. But perhaps not how you think. I am not talking about this: Is the overuse of video games and pervasiveness of online porn causing the demise of guys?Increasingly, researchers say yes, as young men become hooked on arousal, sacrificing their schoolwork and relationships in the pursuit of getting … Read more

Sexist trolls, meet Streisand Effect

Not the kind of video game trollI’m talking about It’s now nearly the end of the funding period for Anita Sarkeesian’s Kickstarter project “Tropes vs. Women in Video Games,” and it has raised more than $100,000 over its initial goal. I don’t want to detract from the validity of the idea itself or her ability … Read more

Q: Who whines more than a feminist?

Ji Firepaw: Reformed cad A: Why, whiners whining about feminists, of course! 1. A calm, well reasoned but pointed piece runs on WoW Insider criticizing the fact that a male NPC quest-giver in the Mists of Panderia beta greets male players by complimenting them on their strength, but female players with “You’re some kind of … Read more

Weekend web readin’, special edition: religion in video games

From Game Front, Questionable Religious Content Money quote: The game industry as a whole sends a really ridiculous message when it backs away from religious commentary. It’s an industry where beheadings, total body disruption, overt sexuality and jokes about poo run rampant, but where everybody gets suddenly very timid and serious whenever religion is brought … Read more

Cultural relativism in gaming

Here you go: Biodork comments: The specific subject that MovieBob talks about is an incident involving a man named Aris Bakhtanians, who was confronted for publicly verbally sexually harassing a female player who he was coaching in a video game reality show. In brief, Aris defended his actions by saying that sexual harassment is part … Read more

Tony Perkins fears the crossing of light sabers

“Give yourself to the Dark Side…yes,your thoughts betray you.” From Opposing Views: On his daily radio broadcast, Family Research Council president Tony Perkins attacked the video game ‘Star Wars: The Old Republic’ for allowing same-sex relationships: “In a new Star Wars game, the biggest threat to the empire may be homosexual activists!” Stephen Reid of Bioware, … Read more

Nothing is worse than a princess who wants to hang out with you

On the “women in video games” front, science fiction author John Scalzi retweeted the following comment today: Naturally, I was curious. So I tweeted back to Valente, who is herself a fantasy/science fiction author, asking for some elaboration. And she linked me to this. Excerpt: Zelda cracked me up hardcore, because I, like many of … Read more