Lesson 9 Resources

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Welcome to the resources section for Lesson 9, a lesson that applies what weve learned so far to the topic
of sex and sexuality in video games. Like the conversation about violence, sex and sexuality in games is a
complicated topic in which superficial coverage in the popular media often clouds important subtleties. To
help you ask better questions of the games you play, we provide a framework for understanding how sex
and sexuality are represented in games and how it is used as part of the mechanics and dynamics in video
games. The adventure game genre provides a good starting point for this discussion, so we talk about that
genre at the beginning of the lesson.
For starters, we begin by discussing some of the conversations about who plays games, and why there
remains a perception that video games are for boys and young men. Much of this stems from control over
language and who is a legitimate gamer and what is a legitimate game. For example, in the early 1990s,
the best selling game on PC was Myst -a game that was very popular with women. Doom, which was very
popular among males, sold far fewer copies. And yet, Doom was always viewed as a more legitimate game
than Myst, mostly because the media had a firm view of games as male-oriented, and so focused on that
topic. In addition, games like Doom, required greater computing power and benefitted from additional
hardware, and so the gaming industry featured it far more prominently in the game journals. Interestingly,
the game that would finally supplant Myst as the number one selling game on PC was The Sims, also a
game more popular amongst women.
We look at sex and sexuality in games in a number of different ways. Much of this conversation is shaped
by a theoretical framework called the male gaze, this asserts that much media is framed from a male
perspective for a male audience. We'll look at
Sex as an Abstraction, meaning how do games take the very complicated topic of sex and sexuality
and try to boil it down to a point where it can be represented in games;
Sex as a Game Goal, meaning how do designers use sex to motivate the player to complete a game or
game element;
Sex as a Mechanic, meaning how does sex and sexuality in a game change the game state;
Sex as an Aesthetic, meaning how does sex and sexuality in a game change affective experience of a
player; and
Sex as Emergent Gameplay, meaning how do players take the game mechanics and dynamics to
create sexual experiences in games.
Finally, this lesson presents a brief history of the impact women have had on the game industry, including
their significant roles in a large number of important and influential games.

Sorter Question:
For the sorting question in section called Sex in Games, youll need to know something about these five
games. We talked about a few of them before, but here are some links that might help as a refresher. You
can google the title for a few more if you need more information:

The Sims - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7Xa-4P0t_E

Call of Duty - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpHCgL9FWcc
Words with Friends - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWaOXIzTGWI
World of Warcraft - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A34ZaCyStk
Tetris - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNDAEIlWr9k

Required Reading:
This reading for this lesson centres on one of the most important game designers in computer game
history. Roberta Williams work at Sierra-on-Line established many of the conventions for adventure games
that we see in modern games. Her work on the Kings Quest series, for example, was revolutionary, and is
still recalled fondly by millions of gamers. The article explores her role in shaping the early history of video
game design, and how gender figured into the way we understand and construct that history. Pay close
attention to the way the author unpacks these issues. Her approach is a little different from other articles
weve read in this course.
Nooney, Laine. A Pedestal, A Table, A Love Letter: Archaeologies of Gender in Videogame History.
Game Studies 13.2 (2013): n. pag. Web. http://gamestudies.org/1302/articles/nooney.

Additional Resources:
Much like the last topic, there is an incredible amount of research on this topic. If you are interested in
exploring how that methodologies that game studies scholars use to understand and interpret games, you
will find plenty to consider. Here are three to get you started:
Jenson, J. and de Castell, S. (2010). Gender, Simulation, and Gaming: Research Review and
Redirections. Simulation Gaming. 41 (1).
Yee, N. (2008). Maps of Digital Desires: Exploring the Topography of Gender and Play in Online
Games. In Y. Kafai et al, (Eds.), Beyond Barbie and Mortal Kombat: New Perspectives on Gender and
Gaming. MIT Press.
Galbraith, P. (2011). Bishjo Games: 'Techno-Intimacy and the Virtually Human in Japan. Game
Studies. 11(2).

We also make reference to a few other video commentators. Here they are:
Anita Sarkeesian at Feminist Frequency. If you are interested in pursuing game studies, you should be
familiar with her work. If you interested in seeing the uphill battle the women in the game industry face as
designers, players, and critics, you should investigate how she and women like her have been attacked
and threatened. Be warned, some of that material is not easy to read - but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be
read.
http://www.feministfrequency.com

Bob Chipman at The Big Picture. These two in particular are on topic.
Not Okay - http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/the-big-picture/5436-Not-Okay

Gender Games - http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/the-big-picture/4719-Gender-Games

Games We Mention in this Lesson:

Here are some of the games we mentioned in this lesson. If you don't know a game we mention, follow one
of the links we provide below. Again, we dont control these files, so some of the links may expire. Help us
keep the links fresh by letting us know if one goes down. Also, you can find play-throughs, trailers, and fan
sites for just about any game you can imagine, so a quick google search will give you a taste of how a
game works.
Adventure
The "created by" easter egg location.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3AN3n1MtKM&t=1m50s
Colossal Cave Adventure
An example of the gameplay of this interactive text adventure. (Watch a portion of the clip, or speed up to
2x speed to watch the progression).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhFrWH0na0A
Zork
A short playthrough of Zork, a text adventure game, where commands mush be specific and a determined
path is set for the successful completion of the game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rTssAIIhx8
The Hobbit
Speed run - shows the introduction of illustrations to the text adventure genre. (Watch portion or speed up
to 2x to see complete game).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f3PFfK-9Gk
Mystery House
Gameplay (Watch a portion of the clip or the whole thing at 2x speed)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrH4AJ_q7FA&t=1m55s
King's Quest
The gnome name guessing puzzle with correct answer (which is Rumplestiltskin spelled with a backwards
alphabet (A=Z, B=Y...)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1REEuj4tQ4E&t=8m50s
Maniac Mansion
Gameplay shows the use of multiple characters and the use of on-screen, point and click commands.
(Watch to 4m35s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjb9TIkrhw8&t=1m50s
The Secret of Monkey Island
Beginning of the Monkey Island adventure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd5fH0TAgjI=2m43s

Myst
This challenging puzzle adventure game broke all conventions using a 1st person perspective and no
inventory system. (Watch to 4m00s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VVdgk_iy1w&t=13s
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
An example of the revival of the text adventure game in the visual novel style. (Played on the two screen
DS, answer selections are on the bottom screen and not shown here).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OOX2Gv0768&t=3m00s
Sam & Max
Gameplay showing the humour and character development in this story driven adventure game. (Watch to
6m45s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TsVPFoHNYg&t=4m15s
The Walking Dead
Gameplay demonstrating the style of a recently released adventure game. (Watch to 4m30s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpoWwOMl5Dk&t=1m20s
Gotcha!
Arcade gameplay (joysticks have been altered).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1XTlSpY-Po
Soft Porn Adventure
Innuendo in a seedy bar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUQs20ebk7c
Leisure Suit Larry
Note the similarity in plot and puzzles to Soft Porn Adventure. (Watch to 6m00s).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wyvi1pdDPUc&t=57s
The Sims
This is a tutorial of how to get your Sims to race through a maze.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7Xa-4P0t_E
Words with Friends
Scrabble-like gameplay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWaOXIzTGWI
MapleStory
A trailer showing marriage in-game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AENQ96Ffq9g
Tetris
Tetris Gameplay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNDAEIlWr9k

World of Warcraft
A WoW dance party
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A34ZaCyStk
Call of Duty
A short montage of gameplay clips demonstrating the intensity of the series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpHCgL9FWcc
Night Trap
The 'infamous' nightgown scene that caused an uproar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guv6NtW_dao
Doom
Gameplay, violent content
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs3G-S3drso
Quake
Gameplay from Quake 2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3XwN6xkctg&t=1m50s
The Sims
Clip one shows a clip of Sims having sex (well hidden, out of view, under the sheets). Clip two is a
commercial for the Hot Date expansion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTH12pFzQFs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AijSrS0qeJc
Viva Piata
Piata foxes falling in love and doing the mating dance resulting in the birth of a kit. Clip two is a montage
of different romance dances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Knxr5M6d_4c&t=1m00s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3Cs4CpT49g
The Marriage
Gameplay showing the interactions between the pink square and the blue square.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhdKYAtZ3_Y&t=4m57s
Strip Poker
A commentary video that shows the gameplay and fully dressed women at the start of the game. (Watch
the first 2 mins to get the general idea).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfq_5f1SxJA
Super Mario 2
Princess Peach gameplay. (Watch to 2m00s to get the general idea).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H5DklbPnp8
Super Princess Peach

Gameplay showing the four emotion (vibe) powers on the bottom part of the screen. (Watch to 10m00s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-CGF1UEPNw&t=6m43s
Plundered Hearts
A depiction of the traditional romance novel style at the beginning, character changes out of her frock into
liberating breeches near the end, a move away from stereotypes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1h2bW7X864
Heavy Rain
Gameplay showing a sex mini-game. NSFW (Watch to 4m00s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzM-Jvf3dqU
God of War
Gameplay showing a sex mini-game from God of War II. (Watch to 4m00s)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxITeJPRajw
Grand Theft Auto: San Andrea
Shows a successful date (without the hot coffee mod, which, when installed, explicitly shows what happens
in the house).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYivmoJb8Gg&t=1m40s
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Trailer that shows the clothing styles of two female characters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wgomFVnwPU
Mass Effect
Some general gameplay to show the mechanics, dynamics, and aesthetics of the first game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6HLWreoBEo
Alter Ego
*new link forthcoming
Tomb Raider
Clip one shows Laura Croft's sexualized clothing and body. Clip 2 is a sexualized commercial from 1996.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOa6yHCV2Cw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWdlU-lwgVY
Ultima Online
Gameplay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoSzvqIEptQ
EverQuest
Gameplay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdgkL8SiOsY
Ultima Online
An in-game wedding. Watch to 6m00s for the general idea, or until end to watch griefers attack the

wedding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l07KPfS_9Yo&t=3m00s
Second Life
A clip that shows "a year in the life" of two players.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgNcTxgCMLQ
Centipede
Gameplay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGEZ3NNH6cs&t=2m00s
River Raid
Gameplay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmPjsBDN9Xw&t=4m30s
Gabriel Knight
Gameplay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXULQFfuSfQ&t=2m00s
Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
The introduction cutscene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DOKzTHaPfM
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
Various gameplay, contains violence (shooting)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVfqg5aujyU
King's Quest
The gnome name guessing puzzle with correct answer (which is Rumplestiltskin spelled with a backwards
alphabet (A=Z, B=Y...)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1REEuj4tQ4E&t=8m50s
Gorf
Gameplay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhu0LI5XOlg&t=3m00s
Archon: The Light and the Dark
Gameplay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lUAr7xgwew&t=20m00s
Mule
Gameplay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWqTYKgGx54&t=13m00s
Conquests of Camelot
Gameplay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpyoUR6i3iI

Suidoken
Gameplay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uqts-4b5D8&t=7m00s
Quest for Glory: So you want to be a hero?
Gameplay clip shows the day-night transition and exploring, as well as the unusual adventuring aspects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDJ9Qj1nI4U&t=25m13s

Created Wed 27 Aug 2014 2:39 PM PET

Last Modified Sat 25 Oct 2014 4:48 PM PET