10 Overblown Video Game Controversies
8. Metal Gear Solid V - Quiet's Skimpy Outfit
Admit it, Metal Gear
fans: Quiet was a stupid excuse for series creator Hideo Kojima to
strip her down to barely any clothes.
Quiet's design was risqué enough to hit the mainstream press, describing her as a sex symbol that demeaned women by prancing around in a bra and some broken tights. According to Kojima, he wanted to create an "erotic" character.
Talk about awkward word choice; people weren't happy with that explanation, and the accusations of sexism swarmed in like a tidal wave of negativity. By "erotic", he meant 'sexy'. And that still didn't do him any favours.
The developer was quick to try and clarify over Twitter that, "I created her character as an antithesis to the women characters...who are excessively exposed. But once you recognize the secret reason for her exposure, you will feel ashamed of your words & deeds."
Honourable intentions? Or exaggerating? You be the judge. Turns out her exposed skin helps her breathe, similar to a plant photosynthesizing. It's ridiculous, but there's no shame in admitting it here.
Was the outfit worthy of quite the level of opprobrium it received however? In a game series that has never been shy about provoking debate with a series of challenging themes, perhaps a skimpy outfit was the tamest of the bunch.