Why does the Life in Agro not have the  Cecilia/female Bear face badly pasted on the old Bear face?

So? I wasn’t aware this one female designer was a representative of all women’s opinions on the subject, or that we can’t criticise it as a result.

Because the context is a pretty crap justification for the design, if I’m honest.

I also think it’s worth highlighting that we don’t see Zero Suit Samus as much as her various outer suits, which are far more prominent in our cultural consciousness.

I’m not ignoring the explanation at all. I’m pointing out that there could be literally any explanation for any costume she wears. It’s a story. Everything in a story is a choice by the creator. As a consumer, we’re allowed to praise (or criticise) those choices if we so desire.

I feel like this boils down to a key point; that artists and consumers owe each other nothing. Artists do not owe their audiences characters, or plots, or designs. But neither do audiences owe artists respect or even attention for the creative choices that they make. If you want to play this game, then go ahead. But…

I commented on this article because I comment on a lot of articles; that’s just what I come on this site and do. That’s what a lot of people come and do. There’s no great plan or intent to piss people off; I’m just using the site as I habitually use it, and having a discussion on a topic. There’s no crusade here;…

I hope I’m not a troll, I’m just commenting on an article. I comment on and discuss lots of things, there’s no grand conspiracy or malice behind it.

I think you make a good point regarding Western fantasy artwork, but at the same time I think it’s kind of depressing at the idea that’s a widespread correlation. Still, sex sells, and I’m sure there’s other options out there for those who want it.

The problem with the outfit argument is that it doesn’t exist independently of the game. It exists because the game’s creators wanted it in there. You can just as easily contrive a situation where she fashioned an outfit that wasn’t revealing. Its appearance is, to a point, arbitrary.

What games (or films, or whatever) would you say use skimpiness or overt sexuality to good effect? I’m more than willing to accept it can work, but most of the time it just kind of backfires in my view.

To be honest there were a lot of things that borked Warrior Within for me; the bare butt was just one of them. Fan-service is just one of those things that really grinds my gears and taints the experience. In most games, it reinforces the idea they’re nowhere near as mature as they think they are.

I’m sorry, where exactly did I say everyone needed to have my sensibilities? You’re making the classic mistake of confusing criticism for censorship. I said I wasn’t going to buy this game. I didn’t say that other people shouldn’t, or that this game shouldn’t exist.

To be honest, I really don’t want to stop anyone from playing this game or enjoying what they enjoy. If you like these games, you do you. But to the uninitiated... wow, that top image is pretty provocative.

Well, it probably wouldn’t be the sole thing that turns me off the game, but it makes a crappy first impression that sours the experience. It’s like the opening cutscenes of Warrior Within; you’re greeted with a close-up shot of a woman’s scantily clad backside, and that is about as far-removed from what I want from Pr…

You’re conflating “I don’t like this” with “I don’t think anyone should consume this.” The two are very different, and I would never censor anything based on my personal preferences.

I’m more about cat ears and mutton chops, myself.

True! The point I was trying to make is that I don’t typically go into a non-pornographic game, story or film looking to be aroused. And as a Westerner it’s hard to see the outfit as anything other than a way to arouse the player. It doesn’t enhance the experience; it cheapens it. It’s like giving Mia Fey prominent…

Sex and adulthood aren’t the same thing. Hell, in a lot of cases being an adult means consuming media that isn’t focussed on sex.

I never said boobs are evil. But neither does that mean we need to see them everywhere. If you like this outfit because it’s titillating, that’s absolutely fine. But at least have the balls to be honest about it, and respect it when people don’t like titillation in games where it isn’t needed.