game studies quiz 2
History of her character design
"Lara is constructed as a problem; even female players who identify with her are seen as somehow traitorous or too young to appreciate her negative positioning; upholding a barbarisedrepresentation of falsified femininity. The writers in From Barbie to Mortal Kombat laid the foundations for important feminist debates in gaming, but they also construct Lara as standing in opposition to it."
How Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice portrays mental illness
"seeing" and "hearing" symptoms of Senua's psychosis combat: enemies are hallucinations tutorials: voices puzzles: seeing patterns puzzles: seeing patterns game over: restarting tied to symptoms worsening Both positive, negative, and a challenge Portraying actual experiences: experts and people with psychosis
Five themes for how the Smash Bros. community communicates about gender Masculinity is a prevailing force in game culture
Vague positivity Waifusand Wonton Women "What is Sheik?" "Girl Gamers" Cooperative vs. Competitive -including the term "friendlies"
"Gamer" identity
While the term is often used as a shorthand to organize the world into people who play video games and people who do not, self-identifying as a gamer also signifies a shared identity with other members of the broader gaming community and culture and denotes an alignment with the group's idiosyncrasies, traditions, and social practices.
How Do You Do It
a game by Nina Freeman, Emmett Butler, Decky Coss, and Joni Kittaka. The game puts players in the role of an 11-year-old girl whose mother has just stepped out for an errand. The girl immediately grabs her dolls and furtively attempts to figure out how sex works using these plastic surrogates.
The Bechdel test
a measure of the representation of women in fiction. It asks whether a work features at least two women who talk to each other about something other than a man. The requirement that the two women must be named is sometimes added. About half of all films meet these criteria, according to user-edited databases and the media industry press. Passing or failing the test is not necessarily indicative of how well women are represented in any specific work. Rather, the test is used as an indicator for the active presence of women in the entire field of film and other fiction, and to call attention to gender inequality in fiction. Media industry studies indicate that films that pass the test financially outperform those that do not. The test is named after the American cartoonist Alison Bechdel in whose comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For the test first appeared in 1985. Bechdel credited the idea to her friend Liz Wallace and the writings of Virginia Woolf. After the test became more widely discussed in the 2000s, a number of variants and tests inspired by it emerged.
Dys4ia
an abstract, autobiographical Adobe Flash video game that Anna Anthropy, also known as Auntie Pixelante, developed to recount her experiences of gender dysphoria and hormone replacement therapy.
Children Now study
2001 study by Children Now, of 1,716 video game characters: 100% of Latino characters appeared in sports games, mostly baseball 83% of Black males were in sports games 86% of Black females were "props, bystanders, or participants in games, but never competitors"
Anna Everett and Craig Watkins study
2007 study Number of Black and Latino characters has increased with the popularity of "urban/street games" (like Grand Theft Auto) . . . Their portrayal is still "narrow." In action/shooter urban/street games, Black and Latino characters are typically violent, criminal, and sexually promiscuous. In sports games, Black characters are verbally aggressive.
Dmitri Williams study
2009 study Fewer than 3% of characters were Latino, and NONE were playable ZERO Native Americans and biracial characters. 11% of characters were Black: but most were athletes and criminals.
Ross Orlando study
2014 study (of the 10 most-highly rated games for each year, 2007-2012) 3% of main characters were Black 3% were Asian 1% were Latinos.
Statistics on video games
A survey conducted by Emily Matthew over on the Pricechartingblog (874 respondents): 80% believe sexism is rampant in the gaming community 35% have been on the receiving end of sexual harassment while playing online Women were harassed four times more often than men 63% of women reported being called a "c*nt, b!tch, $lut, and wh0re." Others reported they were threatened with sexual assault, or asked for sexual favors, and stereotypical comments regarding female gender roles were prevalent as well.
As a hell/curse
IOnce she obtains Gramr, Senua can charge her heavy attacks for additional damage and parries more efficiently, both of which can allow her to use her focus ability. If Senua suffers a strong hit, or several hits in a row, she falls to the ground, and the player must press the corresponding button repeatedly as fast as possible before an enemy deals her a fatal blow; if she does not get back up in time, she dies. The closer she is to death, the harder it is for her to get back up; she can also die from a regular hit, if she was already very close to death.
Cultivation theory
In recent decades, a more nuanced view Media effects vary by individual, context, etc.; particular concerns about long-term exposure Example: Cultivation Theory "Mean World" Syndrome: developed through long-term, heavy exposure to violence
Hypodermic needle theory
In the early-to-mid 1900s, a fear about strong, immediate, unstoppable effects Example: Hypodermic Needle Theory You're 'hit' by media message and 'infected'!
The contentious role of anonymity
Key takeaway: Fem identifying women can be anonymous. Stud or transgressive identifying women could not. Their bodies were not anonymous online.
Who is the main character?
Lara Croft
Who is over-represented?
Males Adults White people
Community is an act of communication
Meaning: 1) there cannot be a community without communication 2) communication creates and maintains A "community" is more than just living close to other people. It is socially constructed.the community
Clementine
Melissa Hutchison - voice actor for Clementine
Game-centric communities
On forums and in online multiplayer Examples: Dark Souls Super Smash Bros. Any popular game has an online community
Gaming capital
characteristics that build a person's credibility or authenticity in game culture (owning certain games, dedicating significant time to games, knowledge of gaming culture, etc.)
Disabled gamer
different than either a gamer or a person with a disability.
General familiarity with the structure of a DOTA 2 team
divided by countries
The e-sports documentary Free to Play
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjZYMI1zB9s nav'i won 1million endorsements earn $50k a year
As a result of expertise
in addition, Hellblade features fights against malformed representations of Northmen who block her progression, including occasional bosses. During those fights, Senua has her sword drawn out, and is turned towards one of her enemies, on which the camera is automatically focused; she can use two kind of attacks, quick or heavy, kick an enemy to prevent it from blocking her attacks, parry, or dodge.[2] She can also charge the opponent she is currently focusing on, to either get closer or directly attack or kick it.[3] If she parries or dodges enough, she can use her focus ability in battle to move faster than her enemies or dissipate the shadows some of them are made of, which makes them impervious to regular attacks.
The definition of "transgressive play"
is usually taken to mean play against the 'ideal' or 'implied' player of the game, of playing the game in ways not anticipated by design.
General familiarity with the game featured in the documentary (DOTA 2)
kill the enemy (the ancient) "similar to basketball, final 5 game"
General familiarity with the structure of the large tournament featured in the documentary
main object: destroy the ancient (final enemy) winner gets over 1 million US dollars
Speedrunning
playing a video game to complete it as fast as possible. Characteristics: Often uses "glitches" or bugs in the game/program Ranked and overseen by each game's community World record attempts are usually streamed live on Twitch.tv
White washing
portraying fictional characters of color (or characters that are not white) with white actors or white representations.
Othering
reductive action of labeling a person as someone who belongs to a subordinate social category defined as the Other. Reductive? Describes and prescribes the person as being less normal or less human. Examples: The "immigrant caravan" of 2018. Fantasy games and races as examples of "othering"
Invisible whiteness
the idea that white identity is incorrectly treated as "normal" to the point where white identity is assumed or never addressed. Example: If a movie script or a book does not specify a race for a character, the character is often assumed to be white. Characters of color are described as such. Want to try this concept out? Go to a movie with friends, and ask those friends why the white characters neededto be white. Real answer: most of the time, they don't.
Essentializing
to attribute fixed characteristics to a group of people
Identity communities
Female players Gamers: gamers who identify as LGBTQ+ Players with disabilities Players with mental illnesses
Who is under-represented?
Females Hispanics Native Americans Children Elderly
Five foundational concepts Normate normate ≠ "normal" normate = people describe and see a person as "normal" or "not disabled"
Foundation #1: Disability is Socially Constructed Foundation #2: the "normate" subject position Foundation #3: lived experience of disability is a valuable source of knowledge Foundation #4: popular culture (media) is a resource to study disability Foundation #5: mixed methodologies to learn about disability through popular culture
As a process of overcoming challenges
Hellblade does not feature any HUD or tutorials. Instead, Druth, Furies, or the Darkness, provide audio indications on game mechanics, and how to progress through levels and puzzles.[1] The Furies also provide Senua advice in battle, notably warning her if an enemy is attacking from her back. They react when Senua takes damage, and panic heavily if she is close to death: how nervous they are when she takes a hit is representative of how much damage she can still take. The nature of most apparitions, events witnessed, or voices heard, is purposely left unclear, and can be interpreted as either an actual apparition by a spirit, a memory of Senua, or a trick created by the Darkness or one of the deceptive creatures she has to face. As such, the clues given during the game are not always reliable, except for Druth's: certain Furies try to demotivate Senua, or give false indications such as telling her she took the wrong way, or that she is walking into a trap.[4]Another core mechanic is the possibility of permadeath, which is meant to delete the player's save data after they surpass a number of deaths.
As a gift
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice is divided in two types of gameplay: the first allows Senua to walk freely and interact with her surroundings. Those parts focus on either story via voiceover, as Senua travels from one location to another, or the resolution of a puzzle or challenge of some kind to progress further. She can use a capacity known as "focus", in reference to her tendency to see things differently from other people due to her condition, to trigger puzzle-related events. If she uses her focus on totems hidden throughout the game, it triggers a memory via voice-over of her friend Druth telling her of the stories of the Norsemen; activating all forty-four of them triggers a bonus cutscene shortly before the game's climax, that extends on Druth's backstory.[1] Several areas feature their own exclusive mechanics or trials, such as reaching a safe zone in time before Senua dies, or using the focus ability to modify the structure of her surroundings.
Four themes for how they describe their identities
1) Establishing gaming capital 2) Acknowledging Disability 3) Gaming to Overcome Challenges 4) Feeling Empowered to Inspire
Dr. Anderson's research on game streamers with disabilities
1) Medical interventions / helping people with disabilities 2) How games portray disability Research questions: 1) In what ways do game streamers with disabilities showcase their gaming capital? 2) In what ways do game streamers describe the relationship between their identities as persons with disabilities and as gamers? Method/objects of study: 8 videos featuring game streamers with disabilities talking about their identities as gamers and as persons with disabilities. Key takeaways: 1) Gaming is a part of their "disabled" identity 2) Disability is a part of their "gamer" identity 3) A new subject position or identity: disabled gamer
Three key themes describing the experience of Black lesbian women in Xbox Live
1) The contentious role of anonymity. -Key takeaway: Fem identifying women can be anonymous. Stud or transgressive identifying women could not. Their bodies were not anonymous online. 2) Isolation and the utility of digital connectivity. 3) Transgressive play.
Friendlies
1. showing or expressing liking, goodwill, or trust. a friendly smile. 2. on the same side; not hostile.
Popular e-sports video games and their descriptions
DOTA 2 ($216,412,953) Genre: Battle Arena Year released: 2013 Produced by: Valve Corporation Counter-Strike: Global Offensive ($82,161,022) Genre: Military first-person shooter, team-based, no-respawn Year released: 2012 Produced by: Valve Corporation Fortnite($77,536,178) Genre: Battle Royale Year released: 2017 Produced by: Epic Games League of Legends ($70,390,253) Genre: Battle Arena Year released: 2009 Produced by: Riot Games Starcraft2 ($31,138,181) Genre: Real-time strategy game Year released: 2010 Produced by: Blizzard Entertainment Hearthstone ($18,196,592) Genre: Collectible card game Year released: 2014 Produced by: Blizzard Entertainment Heroes of the Storm ($18,060,665) Genre: Battle Arena Year released: 2015 Produced by: Blizzard Entertainment Overwatch ($17,648,336) Genre: Class-based first-person shooter with teams Year released: 2016 Produced by: Blizzard Entertainment PlayerUnknown'sBattlegrounds ($13,647,845) Genre: Battle Royale Year released: 2017 Produced by: PUBGCorporation
The Walking Dead game Lee
Dave Fennoy- voice actor for Lee
How What Remains of Edith Finch portrays mental illness How Doki Doki Literature Club portrays mental illness Disability media studies
Delusion Depression Derealization Reality 1. Exploitive horror Audiovisual design Interactions leading to jump scares Simulating a mental breakdown 2. Limited agency Simulating a mental breakdown Taking control of the mouse Monika's end game doki: "u usually like to write cute things dont u"
Types of gaming communities E-sports
E-sports: Formal competition using video games. Characteristics: Often online multiplayer games Professional governing boards Tournaments with cash prizes Sponsored teams
Orientalism
Edward Said described the idea of "orientalism": general patronizing Western attitude towards Middle Eastern, Asian, and North African societies West essentializes these societies as static and undeveloped. In contrast, Western society is developed, rational, flexible, and superior. Example: news coverage of middle eastern/North African countries in conflict
Resident Evil 5
Resident Evil 5 is a third-person shooter video game developed and published by Capcom and released in 2009. It is the seventh major installment in the Resident Evil series. Resident Evil 5 is a third-person shooter with an over-the-shoulder perspective.[6] Players can use several weapons including handguns, shotguns, automatic rifles, sniper rifles, and grenade launchers, as well as melee attacks. Players can make quick 180-degree turns to evade enemies.[7] The game involves boss battles, many of which contain quick time events.[8] Resident Evil 5 is the first game in the Resident Evil series designed for two-player cooperative gameplay.[11] The first player controls Chris, a former member of the fictional Special Tactics and Rescue Service (STARS) and current member of the BSAA, and a second player can control Sheva, who is introduced in this game. If a person plays alone, Sheva is controlled by the game's artificial intelligence (AI). When the game has been completed once, there is an option to make Sheva the primary character.
Sheva (to sexualize to racialize)
Sheva Alomar is a fictional character in the Resident Evil horror video game series by Capcom. She was introduced in 2009 in Resident Evil 5 in which she is a native African operative of an anti-bioterrorism group and the new partner of the series' veteran Chris Redfield. Sheva is controlled by the game's artificial intelligence (AI) when playing with a single player, and is controlled by a second player in the game's cooperative mode. Designed to symbolize "the bond of partnership" within the game, the character's physical design was modeled off Australian actress Michelle Van Der Water, while her voice acting and motion capture were performed by American actress Karen Dyer. The character was met with mostly positive reception from video game journalists, who praised her strength and attractiveness, though her AI in-game received mixed to negative reviews. The character's depiction did, however, receive criticism from several sources for adhering to racial and gendered stereotypes. Sheva has not returned for any further installments of the series.
Impairment
Social resources and discourses make the difference between "impairment" and "disability" Most people have "impairments" "Impairment" + Not sufficient social resources + social discourses about "impairment" = Disability
Platform-centric communities
Steam: online store for purchasing and organizing video games for PC (personal computer) Xbox Live: the online service for Xbox PlayStation Network: the online service for PlayStation Nintendo Switch Online: the online service for Nintendo Switch
