After reading“Women and Games:
Technologies of the Gendered Self” I couldn't help but think of
Laura Croft and the Tomb Raider franchise. Croft clearly fits into
what some girls want in a game character. These characters "appear
to combine [feminine] sexy attributes with [masculine]
characteristics like strength and intelligence.” I have dabbled
with playing Tomb Raider and I like that Laura Croft is the main
character. I just like the idea of an action hero who is a girl and
is in control of her surroundings. The game places her at the
forefront and you make decisions with her in mind. I don't know of
any other games where women are featured as prominently as being the
main character of the franchise. I can see how that positions women
as taking a backseat to their male counterparts and that seems
problematic. However, Croft is positioned as a headstrong,
independent, smart, overachiever and I have always viewed that as a
positive.
Hi Thomas,
ReplyDeleteGreat example! I didn't even think of Tomb Raider, and some of the case studies in the reading, women did mention being attracted to games that make them feel that they were in control of their environment. Tomb Raider would definitely fit the type!
I remember I read in a magazine a few years ago that the creator of this character, a male, created Laura Croft to mirror the image he had of his own sister. Apparently his sister was a very independent woman who liked adventure travel and extreme sports. The article had a picture of his sister climbing a mountain --Mount Everest, I think-- with a group of friends. I definitely think that this character portrays a different image of women. Laura Croft is the one that saves the day as opposed to be the typical princess that needs to be saved by the hero.
ReplyDeleteNora