Are We Really Playing Who We Want to Be? New Research on Female Video Game Characters Unmasks a Quirky Reality

Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

Ever wonder why so many female gamers choose to play as characters that don’t quite match their ideals?

Why, even while grumbling about unrealistic beauty standards, they’re opting for those sultry, scantily clad warriors?

It turns out, recent research has taken a dive into this paradox and brought up some fascinating insights.

The findings might make you question: are we genuinely aware of our preferences, or are we just stuck in a loop of prepackaged ideals?

Here’s a look into the strange reality of choice in video game characters and how these preferences may affect perceptions of femininity, strength, and—surprisingly—identity.

The Study: Cracking the Code on Sexualization and Strength in Gaming

A study published in Communication Research sheds light on the unique effects of sexualization and strength cues in female video game characters.

The big question the researchers posed: does strength in a female character somehow balance out the overt sexualization that often defines her?

Spoiler alert: not really. But what did emerge is that, even while female participants voiced a dislike for these overly sexualized portrayals, they still leaned toward picking these characters for gameplay.

Why the contradiction?

According to Teresa Lynch, study author and assistant professor of communication technology at The Ohio State University, “Understanding why women enjoy gaming, even when facing the challenges of sexism, is key.”

So, we’re left asking, do women choose these characters for their power, their portrayal, or something else altogether?

The study suggests the relationship between character design and choice might be a bit more complex than a simple like-or-dislike dynamic.

Experiment 1: Viewing Characters from a Distance—Does It Change Anything?

In their first experiment, Lynch and her team invited 239 undergraduate students to observe pre-recorded game clips featuring female characters created in SOULCALIBUR VI.

The characters varied on a scale of low to high sexualization and strength. After watching, participants rated each character’s femininity, likability, and how much they’d want to play as that character.

A Dose of “Fighting F—k Toy” Theory

One of the study’s most fascinating insights?

Characters combining high strength with high sexualization were viewed as even more sexualized than those with just high sexualization alone.

This suggests that strength does not detract from sexual objectification; it might even amplify it—a theory often described as the “fighting f—k toy” concept.

As researchers noted, these female characters were designed to be strong but ended up reinforcing certain objectifying stereotypes.

The experiment concluded that strength on its own didn’t impact a character’s likability, which raises a great question for gaming developers: are strength and sex appeal really the go-to ingredients for a popular female character? Or are we just used to buying what’s on the menu?

The Surprising Choices of Female Gamers: Why Are They Picking Characters They Dislike?

One of the most interesting twists came from female participants: despite their stated dislike for highly sexualized characters, they were more likely to select these avatars for gameplay. According to Lynch, “If women are conflating sexual appeal with femininity, then can they disassociate those two concepts?” This paradox presents a rich opportunity for further research: how do these choices align with or deviate from self-image? And does prolonged engagement with these characters create lasting shifts in perception?

Experiment 2: The Player’s Perspective—Does Playing as a Character Change the Game?

To dig deeper, the researchers conducted a second experiment with 438 participants who were given direct control over one of the four character types in a live game session.

Interestingly, when participants controlled a character directly, the perceived strength seemed to resonate more with female players, who rated high-strength characters as highly competent.

But these powerful characters also lost a touch of perceived warmth, indicating that, in gameplay, strength may correlate with effectiveness but not with approachability.

The choice dynamics also shifted between genders.

Male participants tended toward less sexualized yet strong characters, suggesting different values in how strength and appearance affect the gaming experience.

This finding adds a layer to the conversation around how gamers interpret strength and sex appeal: is strength valued less for its heroism and more as a marker of capability, even if it dampens the character’s perceived warmth?

Are Video Games Shaping Real-World Perceptions of Women?

The study raised questions about how interactive media might influence real-world perceptions of femininity and strength.

According to Lynch, playing as a character that embodies attributes players respect or enjoy might lead to positive outcomes.

However, if that character is a “cute but helpless” stereotype, it could inadvertently reinforce limiting perceptions about women.

So, are these games just entertainment, or are they subtly reshaping our expectations of gender?

Limitations of the Study and What’s Next

While enlightening, the study was limited by its focus on one genre; fighting games.

Would these findings hold up in role-playing or narrative-based games where backstory and character development might add context to their design?

Teresa Lynch believes there’s more to discover, stating, “We’re interested in understanding how distinct interactions with characters through story or varying modes of play might disrupt or strengthen effects.” In other words, are we going to keep seeing highly sexualized female characters as the preferred avatars, or will prolonged exposure to alternative portrayals shift the needle?

A New Frontier in Gaming and Social Perception?

The ongoing research in this field is only beginning to scratch the surface.

Will game developers take note of these complex, even contradictory preferences?

With an increasingly diverse gamer base, the industry faces the challenge of balancing creativity with social responsibility.

So, next time you boot up a game, consider this: are we unconsciously leaning into designs that mirror our social biases, or are we ready for a new generation of characters who reflect more nuanced, authentic forms of strength and identity?

Be well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

Lynch, T., Dooley, A., & Erxleben, M. R. (2024). Examining How Sex Appeal Cues and Strength Cues Influence Impressions of Female Video Game Characters. Communication Research.

For added citations, consider looking into works on media representation, such as:

Frederickson, B. L., & Roberts, T. A. (1997). Objectification Theory: Toward Understanding Women's Lived Experiences and Mental Health Risks. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 21(2), 173–206.

Dill, K. E., & Thill, K. P. (2007). Video Game Characters and the Socialization of Gender Roles: Young People’s Perceptions Mirror Sexist Media Depictions. Sex Roles, 57(11), 851–864.