Demasculinized game characters

[dampi256]

I'm playing Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and enjoying the slashing, killing and general nijaing around like a [email protected] very much.

But there is one thing irking me to no end about this game. Raiden's shoes. It looks like he has high heels on. Here's a few pics so you can decide if I'm imagining things or not.





I look at the shoes of the villains in the game and most have normal manly low heel shoes like Samuel Rodriguez, Sundowner, etc. with the exception of this lady, Monsoon. Even the other female character has dude shoes on.



Then there's the issue I have with this one really cool fighting move he does while in mid air where he attaches his sword to the heel of one of his shoes and then dices the opponent up. Highly effective yet it reminds me of a move Bayonetta would do.





With all of this said, I am feeling as if the character of Raiden, the main protagonist, is in some subtle way being portrayed more as female than male even though he sounds like a man yet has feminine facial features. I have absolutely no problem with a female character in a game, case in point Lara in the latest Raider game which was absolutely brilliat, but what I do have an issue with is when developers create a male character and demasculinizes the character by adding female features and characteristics to it.

This irks me and I see it in many real world applications like e.g in fashion commercials where the male model looks more like a women than a man.

This can go on and on but I just wanted to get this off my chest and get some of your opinions and ideas on this.

[Lycanthrope]

Raiden is SEXY!



And so is Dante!



And Jin Kazama!



And, long-time favourite, Raziel!



And, of course, there was also the Kruxena race from Requiem: Bloodymare... The guys basically had stilettos grafted to their legs (although difficult to find a pic on Google)...



If it isn't clear enough to you yet, some people like it, some people don't.

If that's Raiden's look then so what? He's bringing high-heels back

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Oh, and that's before I even start a debate about "gender" normative nonsense where women and men are "expected" to look/behave/dress a certain way.

Says who? Let people be people.

The only folks I've ever seen have an issue with things like this are people who feel insecure about themselves and their place in the world.

[Clive Woofer]

Oh, and that's before I even start a debate about "gender" normative nonsense where women and men are "expected" to look/behave/dress a certain way.

I think this really cuts to the heart of it. If someone is really bothered because some people and/or characters don't adhere to gender roles such as 'men should look/act like men' and 'women should look/act like women,' then my best advice would be to buy a time machine and travel back to 1950, when such arbitrary gender stereotypes were still relevant.

I don't really know what else to say. I guess everyone is entitled to their opinions, but it sounds to me like much ado about nothing.

[Duke Dude]

The only folks I've ever seen have an issue with things like this are people who feel insecure about themselves and their place in the world.

I agree with you except for this part, I think this is an extreme generalization.

My best friend is homophobic and does not like nor care for homosexuals or heterosexuals, yet he is very comfortable with his gender and sexuality. Now whether you think he's a nice person or not is irrelevant, I've known other stereotypical "manly men" that feel the same way.

I believe in clearly defined gender roles, please note - not stereotypical. Women can be strong and independent and men can be in touch with their feelings and enjoy chick flicks :P.
But I do believe that a man should come across in a masculine manner and vice versa for women. When I look at someone I don't think there should be room to debate over whether or not that person is male or female.

This is a big can of worms though, and I don't think this will end well lol.

[HavocXphere]

If a guy in heels rattles you then you might want to do some serious soul searching...

[Snoek]

lol forget the fact that heels are primarily women's shoes, those are really impractical. You can't be stealthy in heels, they make that clak clak clak sound when you walk.

Now if a man desires to wear heels, that is his business. My opinion on the matter is moot. But practically those don't make sense.

Secondly I'd like to point out a major point in that all the characters mentioned by Lycan happen to be from japanese franchises. A country that has of late have the most attractive men be effeminate men (google japanese guys and find out for yourself.). A trend that's actualyl finding it's way into Western cuture as well (bieber, 1D etc). It's not a trend you can stop because it's being run by teenage girls and it's gonna continue until teenage girls decide they want mandingo men again.....

[dampi256]

I agree with you except for this part, I think this is an extreme generalization.

My best friend is homophobic and does not like nor care for homosexuals or heterosexuals, yet he is very comfortable with his gender and sexuality. Now whether you think he's a nice person or not is irrelevant, I've known other stereotypical "manly men" that feel the same way.

I believe in clearly defined gender roles, please note - not stereotypical. Women can be strong and independent and men can be in touch with their feelings and enjoy chick flicks :P.
But I do believe that a man should come across in a masculine manner and vice versa for women. When I look at someone I don't think there should be room to debate over whether or not that person is male or female.

This is a big can of worms though, and I don't think this will end well lol.

I agree. And yes, this will not end well at all. :-)

Each unto his/her own. I find that individuals on doth end of the spectrum has valid points and they will attack your gender orientation and/or phobias re said gender orientation.

I believe in clearly defined gender roles, please note - not stereotypical. Women can be strong and independent and men can be in touch with their feelings and enjoy chick flicks :P.

I strongly agree with your point here. Wanting to define gender roles does not mean that one want to suppress other people's gender orientation at all.

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lol forget the fact that heels are primarily women's shoes, those are really impractical. You can't be stealthy in heels, they make that clak clak clak sound when you walk.

Now if a man desires to wear heels, that is his business. My opinion on the matter is moot. But practically those don't make sense.

Secondly I'd like to point out a major point in that all the characters mentioned by Lycan happen to be from japanese franchises. A country that has of late have the most attractive men be effeminate men (google japanese guys and find out for yourself.). A trend that's actualyl finding it's way into Western cuture as well (bieber, 1D etc). It's not a trend you can stop because it's being run by teenage girls and it's gonna continue until teenage girls decide they want mandingo men again.....

I guess I should have added in my piece above that I see this trend in most all of the Japanese anime, manga and other media. Some of these men look like girls and it is freaky. :-)

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Raiden is SEXY!


And so is Dante!


And Jin Kazama!


And, long-time favourite, Raziel!


And, of course, there was also the Kruxena race from Requiem: Bloodymare... The guys basically had stilettos grafted to their legs (although difficult to find a pic on Google)...

If it isn't clear enough to you yet, some people like it, some people don't.

If that's Raiden's look then so what? He's bringing high-heels back

Oh, and that's before I even start a debate about "gender" normative nonsense where women and men are "expected" to look/behave/dress a certain way.

Says who? Let people be people.

The only folks I've ever seen have an issue with things like this are people who feel insecure about themselves and their place in the world.

Good point and yes, you get a minority that will slate others for their personal gender orientation and choice of clothing and such and yes, these same men/women will have personal issues with their own gender orientation "struggles" that they are projecting on others in an attempt to hide/stay ignorant of their issue, but this is an observation made about a trend that I personally find troubling.

If this makes me homophobic or "insecure" then so be it. I expect those with a different view will most definitely label me and others in this way and again, that is fine as we live in a multi-cultural society that has many different kinds of people in it. If the day comes when we cannot voice out opinion in an open forum without fear of retaliation or attack because of our views and constructive debate is not possible, then we have hit rock bottom.

This is a contentious subject and I know it will most probably not end in a few happy posts but it is a subject that others struggle with.

I still believe dudes were not made to ware high heels. You can break your poor ankles.

[Ike_009]

Dude, man up and grow a pair. If Fred wants to wear a dress and heels, let him. If Kate wants to smoke a pipe and build a house then that's her thing, but don't say what men and woman can't do because of what's between their legs (or lack of )

[Lyt]

/snip

Erm, raiden doesn't have shoes. It's a part of his cyborg body. And those heels are there for a reason - remember when he lost both his arms in mgs 4? Those 'heels' are used as a grip for his sword, so if he loses his arms again (inevitable) he won't have wield his sword with his mouth.

[dampi256]

Erm, raiden doesn't have shoes. It's a part of his cyborg body. And those heels are there for a reason - remember when he lost both his arms in mgs 4? Those 'heels' are used as a grip for his sword, so if he loses his arms again (inevitable) he won't have wield his sword with his mouth.

YEah, I figured that much. Yes. And he does loose his arm again by the way and get built up again.

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Dude, man up and grow a pair. If Fred wants to wear a dress and heels, let him. If Kate wants to smoke a pipe and build a house then that's her thing, but don't say what men and woman can't do because of what's between their legs (or lack of )

If you've noticed from what I wrote, I never said that women should not do stuff that men do or that men cannot do stuff women do. I am referring to the overall gender reversal I am observing in society. I am not saying what people should and should not do what they feel like 'caus that is just stupid and dictatorial. It is just something that irks me personally just as my issues might irk you and many others. It's good to hear from both sides and try and understand. :-)