Kotaku: samus aran

Gendering Game Violence

Maggie Greene — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 12:30:00 MST

There's another great post at Vorpal Bunny Ranch, this one looking at the issue of female game protagonists and game violence — there seem to be different expectations placed on the reaction of female protagonists to violence that is par for the course for male characters. Oh, sure, violence may still be there, but it takes on a different tone. Is this societal expectations playing out on our consoles and PCs?:

We want to believe females not capable of such acts. We do the same with serial killers as I'm seeing occurring with our females' foes, often painting them in mystic tones and making them less than human—no human could do this, erego inhuman. At the same time, the draw of a female protagonist is also to play the market in a heteronormative fashion: appeal to the male libido and assure females they can play as someone of their own sex. The female gaming market is growing, especially in the cases of The Sims, Harvest Moon, and other such titles. These are generally non-violent games (give a tool to anyone and they'll manage to play around its original intent), which grows the expectation we've been given in general society: females are not violent.

Which is a lie. Reading bell hooks's Feminism is for Everybody: Passionate Politics, I was reminded of a fact we often overlook: just as many cases of domestic violence are perpetrated by women against their own children. These are often either ignored or not reported, so it becomes difficult to navigate that terrain, especially when children are not given the tools or rights to speak up on their own behalf; to believe females are generally pacifist and have little capability of violence or prefer such is very likely just a fallacy in which we like to believe. We just prefer the idea of a father who is abusive physically and a mother who may be more critical with her words—this makes sense to us.

Anyways, well worth a read — a really thoughtful piece on some gender issues that crop up in games, and issues that go far beyond gaming.

Gendered Violence [Vorpal Bunny Ranch]

Bloody Samus Cosplay Done Right

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:40:16 MST

Most cosplay fails from either poor costume construction or the revealing of too much unruly flesh. Few want to see Tifa reimagined as a heroine whose shorts are bursting at the seams with layers of manifested laziness, one reason why the generally slender cosplayers in Japan are held in high regard in such circles. Thankfully, this Metroid Prime-style Samus Aran cosplay, as performing by Swedish student Jenni Källberg hits all the right marks. Good outfit, adequate wig, excellent details and a distinct lack of body sloppiness. Many more photos at the link below.

Final score: A-.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

Samus Aran Cosplay [Pixelninja]

Metroid Prime 3 Corruption Box Art With Samus, Samus and Samus

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:20:13 MDT

The box art for Nintendo's first game of The Big Three, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, is now available for your expert-level box art critique. While many will agree that it is rich with Samus and her various grotesque mutations, what I'm sure we'll all disagree on is whether it's less or more hideous than the Kotaku redesign. Personally, I'm not a fan, as my appreciation for the typeface arts has grown to the point where I'm under the delusion I know what the hell I'm talking about. However, I am well aware that the extent to which I'll actually view this box art is the sum total of about ninety seconds of my life.

However, to be thorough, judgment must be passed. Final grade: C+.

Wait. I'm docking it further for not having Zero Suit Samus anywhere on the cover. Super Final Grade: C-.

Dojo Dump: Samus! Fox! Crates!

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 15:20:54 MDT

The Super Smash Bros. Brawl news continues to drag along at a snail's pace, justifying the very existence of a weekly, not daily, update for your Wii brawler news. Here's the round up!

Monday: Fox McCloud gets the profile treatment. Sakurai wants to make sure you noticed his costume has been totally updated.
Tuesday: The Yoshi's Island-themed stage is detailed, with shots of the stage throughout the seasons.
Wednesday: More music revealed as "Metroid: Boss Battle Music (Ridley Fight)" is added for your listening pleasure. A "suitable sense of cruelty and tension", says Sakurai. Okay, buddy! Whatever!
Thursday: Actually an update about Super Smash Bros. Brawl's crates and barrels. Sorry, but they don't appear to explode. This game is doomed.
Friday: Metroid hunter Samus Aran is added to the list. Honestly, I'd appreciate more pics of the Zero Suit version.

With just four more officially announced SSBB characters left to profile—Wario, Meta Knight, Solid Snake, Zero Suit Samus—we should start to see more veterans and newcomers appearing soon. Maybe before E3. Any predictions? Michael McWhertor

Master Chief Denied By Samus

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 17 May 2007 15:40:31 MDT

Artist Torokun is no stranger to Kotaku. We love his fan art. His most recent addition to his deviantArt profile is of this awesome Metroid Prime 2 Echoes-style Samus Aran showing her distaste for "badly designed guys" like the popular BMX bandit Master Chief. Ice cold, Samus, ice cold.

Check out the full-sized version at his devianArt profile and show some love. Michael McWhertor

Samus in Light Suit [deviantArt]