10 Most Offensive Portrayals Of Women In Gaming

Alongside the debate about video game violence, one of the most discussed aspects of gaming is sexism and the medium's portrayal of women. Ever since video game characters have been around, it's been a hot-button issue, one that is met with fierce support on both sides, some seeing depictions of females in games as harmless fun that people read too much into, while others decry it as an indication of the misogyny that runs rampant throughout the industry. In 2014, it feels like something that we should be long-past: there are so many strong video game heroines that it's easy to see the offended side as simply being overly sensitive and reactionary, but then, while games have come a long way, there are still questionable depictions of females in a lot of contemporary titles. Thankfully characters like Alyx Vance from Half-Life get to have their cake and eat it: she is a strong, forthright character who also happens to be good looking, yet is never overtly sexualised to the point that she can be anything more than another supporting character in the game. I myself enjoy many of the following games, but it doesn't mean I'm not tired of their arguably immature, wish-fulfilling female characters. If we want the medium to be taken more seriously, we really need to steer away from these sorts of examples. Whichever side of the debate you fall down on, feel free to argue below!