8 Ugly Problems About Gender Representation The Gaming Industry Won't Admit

6. ...If They Even Have A Role At All

This is a criticism that's been levelled at Rockstar countless times before, but it's no less justified. In every single consecutive GTA women have been sidelined, marginalised, and have failed to benefit from the often at times contradictory satire that has emerged from the very successful franchise. Put it this way, in the series' fifth main instalment the only speaking roles given to women were used to highlight the artificialness of the California lifestyle, which would've been fine had they actually had any significant contribution to the story being told, but Michael's wife, Amanda, and his daughter Tracy only really show significant elements of character when placed in objectified situations. Whilst there's a very clear element of social commentary in relation to Tracy's character and her obsession with becoming famous, it's no coincidence that herself and her mother are largely looked at with derision from the fanbase. Bar their inclusion, other spoken female roles go towards taking knocks at pseudo-feminism, fitness gurus, strippers and prostitutes. It's very disappointing for a series that has what many would consider to have fun storylines and gameplay, but it really isn't that difficult to write something that's believable and witty at the same time, as Rockstar have shown in their efforts outside their slice of fictionalised America.