Suda 51 isn’t too worried about criticism about sexism in his games. Criticism is just seen as proof that people are paying attention. That said, he doesn’t want to offend anyone, but for people to just laugh and enjoy the games.
Suda 51 has come under fire for sexism in his games. In Lollipop Chainsaw the protagonist kills zombies while wearing a cheerleading outfit. However it’s the ‘Gigolo Mode’ in Killer is Dead that is raising eyebrows at the moment – players chat up a woman in a bar, use x-ray specs to look at their undies, and try to get them home for a one-night-stand. So, basically a normal evening for Darryn.
Really, though, I’m glad that Suda 51 brushed off the worries, although he is aware that his games have been criticized for their depictions of female characters. In his interview with GamesIndustry, he explained
“I think in a way when you get criticism, that means people are paying attention to your work,” Suda said through a translator. “Any kind of artistic value, anything you create, there’s always some kind of criticism behind it. Which means we’re making an impression and an impact. So I think we’ll stay with what we’re thinking and just keep going with that way of thinking…And when I say that, sexuality is a touchy subject. We don’t want to make people offended, but we’re trying to create something that makes people laugh a bit because we’re [dealing with] that topic.”
I don’t really see a problem with either of these examples. Lollipop chainsaw has a female protagonist who is kick-ass and strong. She can still be strong while looking sexy. This would only be degrading if the character was doing it for attention or to get a man – then my feminist claws would be out in force! As for the gigolo mode, do people really think this doesn’t happen all the time in real life (minus the x-ray specs)? Go to any establishment where people interact and you will see attempts at romantic involvement (from both genders, by the way). Why not emulate this in a game for fun?
So, how about we laugh and enjoy the game as it was intended, instead of looking for an offensive element.
Last Updated: June 24, 2013
Trevor Davies
June 24, 2013 at 09:06
hehe @ Leisure Suit Darryn
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
June 24, 2013 at 09:42
lol
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
June 24, 2013 at 09:59
its over 9k!
Captain Minion TallTwit
June 24, 2013 at 10:03
Not over 10k?
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
June 24, 2013 at 10:05
Not yet 🙂
Unavengedavo
June 24, 2013 at 10:08
“Hey, everybody!! This weirdo just bought a heavy-weight, industrial-gauge, spearmint-flavored, striped, lubricated, colored, libbed, latex, spermicidal small-sized lubber!!!”
Trevor Davies
June 24, 2013 at 09:08
I think far to many people actively try finding things to be offended over, or on behalf of other people.
Andre116
June 24, 2013 at 10:05
Well said.
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
June 24, 2013 at 10:08
I’m OFFENDED by what you just said!!!
Wait, what are we talking about?
😛
Andre116
June 24, 2013 at 10:10
Well, if you are offended, that I’ll be offended as well!
Skyblue
June 24, 2013 at 10:15
That’s it, I’m totally offended now!
Jakster
June 24, 2013 at 10:17
MEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEME…….NERD RAGE!!1!11!!…..MEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEME…….NERD RAGE!!1!11!!MEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEME…….NERD RAGE!!1!11!!
Brady miaau
June 24, 2013 at 10:19
Yes. Do gooder’s, right?
A true do gooder does what is needed,unknown and without face. But achieves something
Argentil
June 24, 2013 at 10:19
White knights, in other words.
Happy Hamster
June 24, 2013 at 09:12
Goooooooo San Romero Knights
Ultimo_Cleric N7
June 24, 2013 at 09:30
Fundamental truth that nobody likes to admit – SEX SELLS. Human nature is a fickle thing man…
Argentil
June 24, 2013 at 10:40
Yup, preach it brother. It’s not a terrible thing as long as we don’t start shifting too far into Japan’s design ethics. I wouldn’t be surprised if 40% of their game development was hentai and blatant fanservice. Pantsu~ Oppai~ Hai, Sempai~!
Ultimo_Cleric N7
June 24, 2013 at 10:47
Tentacles would be a great sign that things may have gone too far.
Admiral Chief Groot Wors
June 24, 2013 at 10:00
In totally unrelated news, ITS 24 JUNE!!!!
Good grief this year has just gone in fast forward hasn’t it?
Jakster
June 24, 2013 at 10:09
Incoming derailment followed by random meme’s
Skyblue
June 24, 2013 at 10:21
Censors should just fuck off and find real jobs. I agree certain elements are really no-go zones but I don’t need self-rightest biggots telling me what I should or shouldn’t be exposed to.
Do you really need someone to tell you that this is not a healthy interest?
http://weknowmemes.com/2011/12/my-little-pony-fleshlight/
Trevor Davies
June 24, 2013 at 10:32
Should I feel bad that I find those hysterical?
Skyblue
June 24, 2013 at 10:34
Hysterical is fine, much better than curiosity…
Argentil
June 24, 2013 at 10:38
I think the best example of sex selling is Bayonetta. I love the way she was designed, and her powerful attitude. Bayonetta was an in-your-face, ironic* kinda sexy. Any so-called feminist who has a problem with Bayonetta, has not played the game. Bayonetta takes the mickey out of sexism in the industry, in her own, loud, garish way.
While I haven’t played Lollipop Chainsaw, I don’t know if the lead protagonist has the same empowerment that Bayonetta is known for. >IF< she's paraded as a pair of boobs, with some ass, and a shallow, badass personality, then I could understand the outcry. Since I HAVEN'T played it though, I won't make any judgements.
Imagine if Gears of War featured a protagonist in a speedo who looked like Sephiroth, whose sole purpose was to be sexy, and curb-stomp things. I doubt Marcus would be nearly as popular as he is now if GoW had turned out that way. In a young industry where men are the majority market, female gamers might feel things are somewhat lop-sided, and they're not entirely wrong. The industry caters to men, anyone who denies that is misinformed. Not all examples of such catering are offensive though. Dragon's Crown, with the Sorceress, for example, is not an example of sexism. There are plenty of beef-cakes in that game that counter her boob-jiggles. In a more "equal" industry, you would see many, many more bishounen (pretty-boy) protagonists designed with female gamers in mind. Whether that's a good thing, well, yeah.
Before anyone cites Dead Rising as an example of a male protagonist in a speedo performing violent acts, no man. Not sexy. Weirdo.
Sorry for the long post. It's tough to touch on a volatile topic without offending anyone.
Trevor Davies
June 24, 2013 at 10:57
Not too long, just right.
The biggest problem with these kinds of discussions is that people (usually a small minority) often resort to absolute positions, which then leads to slagging off matches between two extreme sides & reason gets lost in the screaming.
Aussious
June 24, 2013 at 13:09
Even as a self confessed ex-otaku, I just never could get hooked on Suda’s games, tried Killer 7 on PS2,then later the even more outrageous Lollipop Chainsaw and Shadow of the Damned. I find the narrative in his games so shallow I suspect that this might be intention like most Japanese games. I’ll take a Hideo Kojima or Hironobu Sakaguchi game over Suda any day!