Lately a lot of things have been bothering me. I know it’s because I’m down that my ability to keep my mouth shut on things that irritate me is almost non existent, but that doesn’t make those things any less valid of causing annoyance.
One thing that I’ve been seeing more and more lately is a ridiculously sexist portrayal of women in ads for games in games.
I play a lot of logic games, they stimulate my brain and can help distract me from things that are upsetting me. Anyone who’s on a low income knows that free games are available and the price you pay is being shown ads.
However lately I’ve been noticing an increasing number of ads showing women as pathetic, shallow, needy, and manipulative. The fact they exist is irritating. However ads are designed to make people want the game that they’re advertising, so something about these ads must be generating sales / downloads otherwise they wouldn’t keep on getting shown.
I feel like this shows that there is a dangerous undercurrent of rampant sexism that is rearing back up. Anyone reading this who plays games with ads have you noticed this?
The ones in question (and I have no idea what they’re called and even if I did, naming them would just be giving them more publicity) are the ones where there’s a ‘cool’ guy and an ‘ugly’ or ‘meek’ woman. She says in a thought bubble that she likes him and asks what to do. Should she say something or not. Whatever you answer (because these are playable ads) the result is the same. In appears a ‘cool’ looking woman and the guy rejects the protagonist one. This angers the protagonist and reveals a game to make the woman look ‘pretty’ in order to steal the guy.
Another one is the straight up makeover one. It presents a woman looking dishevelled with either pronounced acne or facial hair or messy hair who want to be made over. If it’s a playable ad it scores you on how ‘pretty’ the items you choose are based on a very narrow idea of beauty. If it’s not playable it simulates a play choosing what the game makers deem as ‘ugly’ and you either see a bad score or the woman whining and calling the choices disgusting.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I seriously doubt that women were involved in making these ads or games. I believe the ads and the games are being created by men who either think women are like this or just want to paint them as such. If you are part of the promotion or making of these ads and games you should be ashamed of yourself.
This is one of a number of things that have been really getting to me lately and I just wanted to get some of it if my chest. This will likely not be the last full rant mode post before I return (or maybe this is my return and my blog is changing again, who knows?)
Anyone agree? Anyone Disagree? I’d be curious about other opinions but my own.
Note: If a particular person who called me a narcissist lately happens upon this, notice this is by far not the first time I’ve sought others’ opinions on things. It’s a genuine curiosity and invitation. Also yes there will be one that calls you out to come.
Izzie K 