Week 4: 1-1 Tutorials // 16.10.23

This week I met with my tutor for a second fifteen minute 1:1 tutorial. I have continued collecting relevant references and have put these onto a document in which I formatted a brief plan for my dissertation essay. Below I have summarised the key changes that I have made.

My new working research question is: Body diversity in female videogame characters: Is there a representation of self for women in video games?

Introduction:

What is representation of self?
Why is it important to have representation in diverse female videogame character body types?

Chapter 1: Body Diversity

Finding representation of self for the player; there must be diversity to represent 'self'
- There is a popular stereotypical design trope for female videogame characters; why is one body type used so often/one image of attractive athleticism.
- Female agency/political identity; Tomb Raider's Lara Croft was a feminist icon during the era of her debut, is her objectified design now a problematic representation?
Is a character's appearance important for the gameplay/context of the story?
- How is athleticism portrayed, and referencing real life athletes, are these body types accurately reflected for video game characters?
- Reference 'Athletes' (Howard Schatz, 2002).

Chapter 2: Modes of Presentation

Is the design intention for the player to identify with, or to look at the character?
- Audiences and representation in the games industry is male dominated; are female character designs catered for male consumers?
- Can people resonate with these characters regardless of the designs, or are they alienated because of them?
The male gaze theory (Laura Mulvey, 1975) states that the act of looking is gendered.
- An example that illustrates this is Barbara Krueger's 'Untitled (Your gaze hits the side of my face)' (1981).

Chapter 3: Influences in Behaviours and Responses

What is the impact on audiences?
- Do these character designs affect self image?
- Are the body types and presentation of characters influential to their identities as role models, or are they negative influences on self-image and mental health? (exploration of body dysmorphia and eating disorders).
Why is body diversity important?
- A lack of diversity feeds into toxic beauty cultures and ideals pertaining to only certain characteristics being regarded/normalised as attractive.
- The objectification of female character designs reflects societal expectations.

Artefact:

Character studies of popular female videogame characters with more diverse variation of body types/more accurate body types.
OR: Designing female characters with a diverse line of body types.

CTS3

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