This video, created by Anita Sarkeesian, digs into the trope of the damsel in distress used in video games. It's on the Youtube channel, Feminist Frequency, and part of a series called Tropes vs. Women. If all of the videos are at this quality, I will be eagerly awaiting each new installment.
I am always very waryof gender discussions, especially when it comes to games; not because I feel they don't progress the issue, but because they can be handled in a hateful or unhelpful manner. Anita does not attack, and does not ferociously throw around blame - but rather handles the subject tastefully and with clear examples to help solidify her position.
This is incredibly important to know when it comes to narrative design. Using people, female or male, as objects for which you must enact your adventure, is distasteful and we can do better. It's all about having our characters be characters, and not prizes for playing out a fantasy.
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