Tropes vs. Women in Video Games: Difference between revisions

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			{{Short description\|YouTube video series}}
	{{pp-semi-indef}}{{Use mdy dates\|date=October 2011}}
			{{pp-semi\|small=yes}}
	{{Infobox television		{{Infobox television
	\|~~show_name=~~ Tropes vs. Women in Video Games		\| image = Tropes Vs. Women in Video Games - text logo.png
	\|~~image=~~ ]		\| caption = ] used in the videos
	\|~~caption~~ = ~~Title~~ ~~card~~ ~~used~~ ~~in the Tropes~~ ~~vs.~~ ~~Women~~ ~~videos.~~		\| genre = ]
	\|~~genre=~~ ]		\| director = ]
	\|~~director=~~ ]		\| presenter = Anita Sarkeesian
			\| theme_music_composer = Matt Joynt, Nathan Sandberg
	\|presenter= Anita Sarkeesian
			\| producer = ]<ref name=Mullis>{{cite web \|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2014/04/27/306853264/gaming-while-male-a-privilege-few-men-recognize \|title=Gaming While Male: A 'Privilege' Few Men Recognize \|last1=Mullis \|first1=Steve \|date=April 27, 2014 \|website=www.npr.org \|publisher=National Public Radio \|accessdate=April 27, 2014}}</ref>
	\|theme_music_composer= Matt Joynt, Nathan Sandberg
	\|~~producer=~~ ~~Jonathan MacIntosh~~		\| num_episodes = 18
	\|~~num_episodes=~~ 4 ~~out~~ of 12		\| country = United States
	\|~~country=~~ ~~USA~~		\| language = English
	\|~~language=~~ ~~English~~		\| network = YouTube
			\| first_aired = {{Start date\|2013\|03\|07}}
	\|network= ] (2009)<br>YouTube (2009–present)
			\| last_aired = {{End date\|2017\|4\|27}}
	\|first_aired= '''Tropes vs Women in Video Games''' <br/>March 7, 2013
	\|last_aired= November 18, 2013
	\|website= http://www.youtube.com/user/feministfrequency
	\|website_title= Official website
	\|production_website= http://www.feministfrequency.com/
	}}		}}
			'''''Tropes vs. Women in Video Games''''' is a ] video series created by ] examining ]. The series was financed via ], and came to widespread attention when its ] campaign triggered a wave of ] against Sarkeesian,<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2012/06/13/online_misogyny_reflects_women_s_realities_though_in_a_cruder_way_than_is_customary_offline_.html \|first=Amanda \|last=Marcotte \|author-link=Amanda Marcotte \|title=Online Misogyny: Can't Ignore It, Can't Not Ignore It \|publisher=] \|date=June 13, 2012}}</ref> causing her to flee her home at one point. Released on the channel ''Feminist Frequency'' between March 2013 and April 2017, the series consists of eighteen episodes.

			The series explores and critiques the ] used to represent women in video games. Sarkeesian argues that most video games cater to a straight male audience, such as by featuring primarily male playable characters and ] female characters. She also highlights examples of video games that feature more well-rounded representations of women. Critical response to the series was generally positive.
	'''''Tropes vs. Women in Video Games''''' is a ] video series created by ] that is examining ]. The series was financed via ], and acquired notoriety when its ] campaign ] against Sarkeesian.<ref>{{cite web \| url = http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2012/06/13/online_misogyny_reflects_women_s_realities_though_in_a_cruder_way_than_is_customary_offline_.html \| first = Amanda \| last = Marcotte \| authorlink= Amanda Marcotte\| title = Online Misogyny: Can't Ignore It, Can't Not Ignore It \| publisher = ] \| date = June 13, 2012 }}</ref>

	== Background ==		==Background==
			In 2009, Sarkeesian started her website '']'' with the intention of creating feminist media criticism accessible to the younger generation.<ref name=Dean>{{cite web \|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/31/tropes-vs-women-in-video-games-why-it-matters \|title=Tropes vs Women in Video Games: Why It Matters \|last1=Dean \|first1=Paul \|date=May 31, 2013 \|website=] \|accessdate=March 25, 2014}}</ref> In 2011 she collaborated with the feminist magazine '']'' to create a ] video series for her site titled "Tropes vs. Women", which examined ] in film, television and other popular media that she believes reinforce damaging stereotypes about women.<ref name=Dean/><ref name=Greenhouse>{{cite news \|last=Greenhouse \|first=Emily \|date=August 1, 2013 \|title=Twitter's Free Speech Problem \|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/08/how-free-should-speech-be-on-twitter.html \|newspaper=] \|accessdate=March 24, 2014}}</ref><ref name=Singal>{{cite news \|title=Taking on games that demean women \|first=Jesse \|last=Singal \|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2013/06/22/anita-sarkeesian-takes-video-game-tropes-that-demean-women-and-takes-heat-for/37Q3CmQqLZY9zUWUTbUSFJ/story.html \|newspaper=] \|date=June 22, 2013 \|accessdate=March 25, 2014}}</ref> After the success of "Tropes vs. Women", Sarkeesian began planning a follow-up series. In 2012, video game studio ] invited her to speak about developing strong female characters; the engagement was well received and inspired her to think more about games.<ref name=Kolhatkar>{{cite news \|last=Kolhatkar \|first=Sheelah \|date=November 26, 2014 \|title=The Gaming Industry's Greatest Adversary Is Just Getting Started \|url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-11-26/anita-sarkeesian-battles-sexism-in-games-gamergate-harassment \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126142636/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-11-26/anita-sarkeesian-battles-sexism-in-games-gamergate-harassment \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=November 26, 2014 \|newspaper=] \|accessdate=December 4, 2014}}</ref> Sarkeesian determined that some tropes she planned to discuss in her new series, such as the "]", were particularly pervasive in video games, and decided to devote the second series specifically to games.<ref name=Dean/><ref>{{cite news \|title=Lara Croft battles male jerks \|author=Williams, Mary Elizabeth \|url=http://www.salon.com/2012/06/14/lara_croft_battles_male_jerks/singleton/ \|newspaper=Salon \|date=June 14, 2012 \|accessdate=March 25, 2014}}</ref>
	In May 2009, Sarkeesian created the video blog "Feminist Frequency". The blog includes the video series ''Tropes vs. Women'', a series created with '']'' magazine to examine the use of ]s to depict women in film, television and video games, with a particular focus on ].<ref>{{cite news \|title= Lara Croft battles male jerks \|author= Williams, Mary Elizabeth \|url= http://www.salon.com/2012/06/14/lara_croft_battles_male_jerks/singleton/ \|newspaper= Salon \|date= June 14, 2012 }}</ref> Videos produced in this series include "The ]", ] and "The ] Principle".<ref>Sarkeesian, Anita (March 22, 2011). , YouTube.</ref> She has also produced a number of other videos analyzing popular culture from a feminist standpoint, such as applying the ].<ref>, YouTube.</ref>

			In May 2012, Sarkeesian announced she would ] her series on "Tropes vs. Women in Video Games" through ]. She launched the Kickstarter project on May 17, 2012, with an initial goal of $6,000 to produce five videos of 10–20 minutes in length. The project reached its target in less than 24 hours, and Sarkeesian promptly set a series of "stretch" goals to fund additional installments.<ref name=Cupaiuolo>{{cite web \|url=http://spotlight.macfound.org/blog/entry/not-just-playing-games-benefits-of-failure-power-of-supportive-community/ \|title=Not Just Playing Games: The Benefits of Failure and the Power of a Supportive Community \|last1=Cupaiuolo \|first1=Christine \|date=June 21, 2012 \|website=Spotlight on Digital Media and Learning \|publisher=] \|accessdate=October 23, 2014 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024164342/http://spotlight.macfound.org/blog/entry/not-just-playing-games-benefits-of-failure-power-of-supportive-community/ \|archive-date=2014-10-24 \|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="KS">{{cite web \|url=http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/566429325/tropes-vs-women-in-video-games/ \|title=Tropes vs. Women in Video Games Kickstarter page \|publisher=Kickstarter \|date=May 17, 2012 \|accessdate=October 24, 2014}}</ref>
	In June 4, 2012 Sarkeesian focused her analysis of tropes to video games. The videos in ''Tropes vs. Women in Video Games'' series are aimed at ] plotlines, themes, characters and settings commonly used in ].

			The Kickstarter project also triggered a campaign of misogynist harassment from segments of video game culture. Attackers sent Sarkeesian death and rape threats, hacked her webpages and social media, vandalized her article on ], and posted disparaging comments online. One attacker created a computer game that allowed players to punch a picture of Sarkeesian.<ref name=Cupaiuolo/><ref>{{cite journal \|last1=Humphreys \|first1=Sal \|last2=Vered \|first2=Karen Orr \|date=September 5, 2013 \|title=Reflecting on Gender and Digital Networked Media \|url=http://dspace.flinders.edu.au/xmlui/bitstream/2328/35044/1/Humphreys_ReflectingOn_AM2014.pdf \|journal=Television & New Media \|volume=15 \|issue=1 \|page=4 \|doi=10.1177/1527476413502682 \|hdl=2328/35044 \|s2cid=145777327 \|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref name=Kyle131132>{{cite encyclopedia \|last=Kyle \|first=Catherine Bailey \|editor-first=Norma \|editor-last=Jones \|editor2-first=Maja \|editor2-last=Bajac-Carter \|editor3-first=Bob \|editor3-last=Batchelor \|encyclopedia=Heroines of Film and Television \|title=Her Story, Too: Final Fantasy X, Revolutionary Girl Utena, and the Feminist Hero's Journey \|year=2014 \|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield \|location=New York \|isbn=978-1-4422-3149-8 \|pages=131–132}}</ref> Supporters responded by donating to the Kickstarter project. By the time the campaign closed on June 15, it had raised $158,922 from 6,968 donors, considerably higher than the original goal.<ref name=Cupaiuolo/><ref>{{cite encyclopedia \|last=Kyle \|first=Catherine Bailey \|editor-first=Norma \|editor-last=Jones \|editor2-first=Maja \|editor2-last=Bajac-Carter \|editor3-first=Bob \|editor3-last=Batchelor \|encyclopedia=Heroines of Film and Television \|title=Her Story, Too: Final Fantasy X, Revolutionary Girl Utena, and the Feminist Hero's Journey \|year=2014 \|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield \|location=New York \|isbn=978-1-4422-3149-8 \|page=131}}</ref> The events generated substantial press coverage and helped bring the issue of pervasive ] to wider attention.<ref name=SIGITE>{{cite book \|last1=Settle \|first1=Amber \|last2=McGill \|first2=Monica M. \|last3=Decker \|first3=Adrienne \|title=Proceedings of the 14th annual ACM SIGITE conference on Information technology education \|chapter=Diversity in the game industry: Is outreach the solution? \|year=2013 \|publisher=] \|page=175 \|doi=10.1145/2512276.2512283 \|isbn=9781450322393 \|s2cid=14178125}}</ref>
	== Crowdfunding via Kickstarter ==

			== Production and impact ==
	Sarkeesian started funding her Tropes vs Women in Video Games as a ] project on June 4, 2012 with an initial goal of $6,000 to produce five videos of 10–20 minutes in length. This was reached in less than 24 hours.<ref name="KS">{{cite web\|url=http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/566429325/tropes-vs-women-in-video-games/ \|title=Tropes vs. Women in Video Games Kickstarter page \|publisher=Kickstarter \|date=May 17, 2012 \|accessdate=2013-10-30}}</ref> She promptly added a stretch goal up to $15,000, offering to produce an additional video for every $1,500 raised. That brought the total number of videos to be made to 11. This second stretch goal was reached in under a week.<ref name="KS1">{{cite web\|url=http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/566429325/tropes-vs-women-in-video-games/posts/229803 \|title=FUNDED in the first 24 hours! New Stretch Goals \|publisher=Kickstarter \|date=May 18, 2012 \|accessdate=2013-10-30}}</ref> After the first stretch goal was reached she set a second stretch goal of $20,000 to fund technology acquisitions that would improve the quality of her videos. At this point she also offered to send a pack of stickers consisting of re-imagined ] and ] pictures from ] with a slogan and three with Feminist Frequency logo to any future or past backer pledging $50 or more. The second stretch goal was reached in two weeks.<ref name="KS2">{{cite web\|url=http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/566429325/tropes-vs-women-in-video-games/posts/233146 \|title=New Stretch Goal and New $50 Reward! Stickers!! \|publisher=Kickstarter \|date=May 23, 2012 \|accessdate=2013-10-30}}</ref> A third and final stretch goal was added, with $24,000 and $26,000 sub-goals financing Tropes vs. Women in Video Games classroom curriculum and one more video.<ref name="KS3">{{cite web\|url=http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/566429325/tropes-vs-women-in-video-games/posts/237083 \|title=Project Evolving with Classroom Curriculum and Bonus Video #2 \|publisher=Kickstarter \|date=May 30, 2012 \|accessdate=2013-10-30}}</ref> The project funding period closed on June 16, 2012, with $158,922 in contributions.<ref name="KS" />
			After the close of the Kickstarter, Sarkeesian decided to redevelop her concept for the series, writing that the additional funding allowed her to "expand the scope, scale and production values of the project". In January 2013, Sarkeesian launched a ] web page called "Bits of Tropes Vs. Women in Games" previewing samples of the first video.<ref name=Totilo>{{cite web \|url=http://kotaku.com/5980335/anita-sarkeesians-first-tropes-vs-women-in-games-video-may-come-out-next-month-but-her-tumblrs-live-now \|title=Anita Sarkeesian's First 'Tropes vs. Women in Games' Video May Come Out Next Month, But Her Tumblr's Live Now \|date=January 30, 2013 \|publisher=] \|accessdate=3 September 2013 \|author=Stephen Totilo}}</ref>

			The first video in the ''Tropes vs Women in Video Games'' series, "Damsels in Distress (Part 1)", was released on March 7, 2013.<ref> accessed May 28, 2013</ref> The delay led some critics to question how she was using the money.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.dailydot.com/society/anita-sarkeesian-gamers-photoshop-shoe/ \|title=Anita Sarkeesian is not stealing Kickstarter money to buy Gucci shoes \|publisher=] \|date=February 13, 2013 \|accessdate=19 September 2013 \|author=Kevin Morris}}</ref><ref name="ReadWrite"/> ] of '']'' wrote that the production values of the new series were high, saying "so far, she appears to have put the money to good use."<ref name=Singal/> Fruzsina Eördögh of '']'' also stated that the production quality of the videos had increased from her previous works, but suggested Sarkeesian disclose her plan for the rest of her Kickstarter money to "knock down the only legitimate point" from her critics and provide guidance for other video bloggers.<ref name="ReadWrite">{{cite web \|url=http://readwrite.com/2013/03/19/anita-sarkeesian-i-love-you-but-please-show-me-the-money \|title=Anita Sarkeesian, I Love You. But Please Show Us The Money \|date=March 19, 2013 \|accessdate=19 September 2013 \|author=Fruzsina Eördögh}}</ref>
	The original list of video titles were: "Damsel in Distress", "The Fighting F#@k Toy", "The Sexy Sidekick", "The Sexy Villainess", "Background Decoration", "Voodoo Priestess/Tribal Sorceress", "Women as Reward", "Mrs. Male Character", "Unattractive Equals Evil", "Man with Boobs", "Positive Female Characters!" and "Top 10 Most Common Defenses of Sexism in Games".<ref name="KS" />

			Parts 2 and 3 of the series were released on May 28 and August 1, 2013. The second video was briefly removed due to abuse of ]'s "flag" system, though it was quickly restored.<ref>{{cite web \|last=Hamilton \|first=Kirk \|title=New Anita Sarkeesian Video Calls Out Gaming's 'Women in Refrigerators' \|url=http://kotaku.com/heres-anita-sarkeesians-second-tropes-vs-women-in-g-510123131 \|publisher=Kotaku \|accessdate=13 July 2013 \|date=28 May 2013}}</ref> Part 5 was released on June 17, 2014, focusing on the use of women in shallow background roles or as sex objects.<ref name="VergeTropes2014">. Opam, Kwame. '']'', 17 June 2014</ref>
	== Harassment and response ==
	{{further\|Anita Sarkeesian#Kickstarter campaign and subsequent harassment}}

			In January 2015, ''Feminist Frequency'' released its end of year report outlining its continued plans for the Tropes series and announced they were planning two new video series tackling the "positive" portrayal of women in video games, as well as the "portrayal of masculine identities in games", while saying that it had released only 6 of the originally planned 12 videos to this point due to increased commitments to public appearances and media interaction.<ref name=GuardianJenkins>{{cite web \|title=When will gamers understand that criticism isn't censorship? \|first=Ria \|last=Jenkins \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jan/30/gamers-criticism-censorship \|work=The Guardian \|date=January 30, 2015 \|accessdate=January 30, 2015}}</ref><ref name=GuardianDredge>{{cite web \|title=Anita Sarkeesian launching new video series focused on masculinity in games \|first=Stuart \|last=Dredge \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jan/27/anita-sarkeesian-video-series-masculinity-gamergate \|work=The Guardian \|date=January 27, 2015 \|accessdate=January 30, 2015}}</ref>
	When Sarkeesian raised nearly $160,000 using Kickstarter, there was an immediate backlash from members of the gaming and internet communities.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Seitz \|first=Dan \|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/side-mission/20600/tropes-vs-women-controversy-reaches-new-low \|title="Tropes Vs. Women" Controversy Reaches New Low \|publisher=GameTrailers \|date=2012-07-06 \|accessdate=2013-10-30}}</ref> Commenters on her YouTube and Facebook pages wrote hateful comments, threats of violence, and even death threats.<ref>{{cite news\|last=O'Leary\|first=Amy\|title=In Virtual Play, Sex Harassment Is All Too Real\|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/02/us/sexual-harassment-in-online-gaming-stirs-anger.html\|newspaper=The New York Times\|date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> These threats were described by Sarkeesian as “a more extreme and sustained torrent of sexism, hate, and threats”<ref>{{cite web\|last=Petit \|first=Carolyn \|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/from-samus-to-lara-an-interview-with-anita-sarkeesian-of-feminist-frequency/1100-6382189/ \|title=From Samus to Lara: An Interview With Anita Sarkeesian of Feminist Frequency \|publisher=GameSpot \|date=2012-06-12 \|accessdate=2013-10-30}}</ref> than she had experienced in the past.

			The series ended with its final episode, "The Lady Sidekick", posted on April 27, 2017. Sarkeesian announced that ''Feminist Frequency'' would produce another series.<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/4/27/15452574/tropes-vs-women-in-video-games-final-episode-season-two-sidekicks \|title=Tropes vs. Women ends the series with a look at female sidekicks \|last=Frank \|first=Allegra \|date=Apr 27, 2017 \|website=] \|access-date=May 8, 2017}}</ref>
	A game appeared on popular ] website ] on July 5, 2012. The game allowed players to virtually assault Sarkeesian by clicking on her face, effectively "beating her up." As players continued to click the picture, scars, bruises, and lacerations would appear on a photograph of Sarkeesian.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Lewis \|first=Helen \|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/internet/2012/07/what-online-harassment-looks \|title=This is what online harassment looks like \|publisher=New Statesman \|date=July 6, 2012 \|accessdate=2013-10-30}}</ref>

			In March 2019, ''Feminist Frequency'' returned with a three part miniseries on Queer Tropes in Video Games that is similar to ''Tropes vs. Women in Video Games''.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Takahashi \|first=Dean \|date=2019-03-05 \|title=Anita Sarkeesian is back with Feminist Frequency video on queer tropes in games \|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/03/05/anita-sarkeesian-is-back-with-feminist-frequency-video-on-queer-tropes-in-games/ \|access-date=2021-06-12 \|website=VentureBeat \|language=en-US}}</ref>
	Other forms of harassment against Sarkeesian were spammed to her Facebook page as well as to her e-mail account. These consisted of, but were not limited to:

			According to '']'', Sarkeesian reflected that, in 2022, there were fewer examples of sexist tropes and "the pattern is less egregious".<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Farokhmanesh \|first=Megan \|date=2022-03-25 \|title=Sarkeesian reflects on 10 years of 'Tropes vs. Women in Video Games' \|url=https://www.axios.com/2022/03/25/tropes-vs-women-in-video-games-anita-sarkeesian-gdc \|access-date=2022-09-17 \|website=Axios \|language=en}}</ref>
	* Images of Sarkeesian holding cards with photoshopped degrading and humiliating messages
	* Meme images with sexist texts superimposed
	* Drawings of Sarkeesian being raped and/or sexually degraded (sometimes by video game characters)
	* ] attacks on Sarkeesian's blog, FeministFrequency.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.feministfrequency.com/2012/07/image-based-harassment-and-visual-misogyny/ \|title=Image Based Harassment and Visual Misogyny \|publisher=Feminist Frequency \|date=July 1, 2012 \|accessdate=2013-10-30}}</ref>

	The harassment continued as the series went into production.<ref name=Singal/> When the second video of the series was flagged on YouTube for “containing inappropriate material” by challengers of the series, it was temporarily blocked. However, Sarkeesian soon appealed to YouTube and the block was lifted.<ref>{{cite web\|first=Kyle \|last=Hilliard \|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/05/28/anita-sarkeesian-tropes-vs-women-video-series-examines-the-damsel-in-distress.aspx \|title=Anita Sarkeesian's Tropes Vs. Women Video Series Examines The Damsel In Distress \|publisher=Game Informer \|date=2013-05-28 \|accessdate=2013-10-30}}</ref>

	== Production ==

	Sarkeesian initially planned to release the ''Tropes vs. Women in Video Games'' series in the late 2012 with an episode a month,<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.feministfrequency.com/2012/08/quick-tropes-vs-women-projec-update/ \|title=Quick Tropes vs Women Project Update \|publisher=Feminist Frequency \|date=August 1, 2012 \|accessdate=2013-10-30}}</ref> but pushed it back explaining that the additional funding allowed her to "expand the scope, scale and production values of the project". On January 2013 Sarkeesian launched a ] web page called "Bits of Tropes Vs. Women in Games" previewing samples of the first video.<ref name=Totilo>{{cite web \| url=http://kotaku.com/5980335/anita-sarkeesians-first-tropes-vs-women-in-games-video-may-come-out-next-month-but-her-tumblrs-live-now \| title=Anita Sarkeesian's First 'Tropes vs. Women in Games' Video May Come Out Next Month, But Her Tumblr's Live Now \| date= January 30, 2013 \|publisher= ] \| accessdate=3 September 2013 \| author=Stephen Totilo}}</ref>

	The first video in the ''Tropes vs Women in Video Games'' series, "Damsels in Distress (Part 1)", was released on March 7, 2013.<ref> accessed May 28, 2013</ref> The delay led some critics to question how she was using the money.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.dailydot.com/society/anita-sarkeesian-gamers-photoshop-shoe/ \| title=Anita Sarkeesian is not stealing Kickstarter money to buy Gucci shoes \| publisher=] \| date=February 13, 2013 \| accessdate=19 September 2013 \| author=Kevin Morris}}</ref><ref name="ReadWrite"/> Jesse Singal of '']'' noted that the production values of the new series were high, saying "so far, she appears to have put the money to good use."<ref name=Singal>{{cite news \|title= Taking on games that demean women \|first= Jesse \|last= Singal \|url= http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2013/06/22/anita-sarkeesian-takes-video-game-tropes-that-demean-women-and-takes-heat-for/37Q3CmQqLZY9zUWUTbUSFJ/story.html \|newspaper= ] \|date= June 22, 2013 \|accessdate=September 19, 2013}}</ref> Fruzsina Eördögh of '']'' also confirmed that the production quality of the videos had increased from her previous works, but suggested Sarkeesian disclose her plan for the rest of her Kickstarter money to "knock down the only legitimate point" from her critics and provide guidance for other video bloggers.<ref name="ReadWrite">{{cite web \| url=http://readwrite.com/2013/03/19/anita-sarkeesian-i-love-you-but-please-show-me-the-money \| title=Anita Sarkeesian, I Love You. But Please Show Us The Money \| date=March 19, 2013 \| accessdate=19 September 2013 \| author=Fruzsina Eördögh}} <blockquote>"When you get past the vitriol, their main criticism is that the production quality of Sarkeesian’s videos hasn't increased. The quality of her videos has increased, So the haters are wrong. But how much could Sarkeesian's production upgrades have possibly cost? Tally all that up, and it's still less than $15,000. What happened to the rest of the $160,000? Answering this question would certainly knock down the only legitimate point made by Sarkeesian's online stalkers. Much more important, would also help women video bloggers, who struggle with sexism every day on YouTube, better understand the financial costs of creating a successful video series."</blockquote></ref> Parts 2 and 3 of the series were released on May 28 and August 1, 2013.<ref>{{cite web\|last=Hamilton\|first=Kirk\|title=New Anita Sarkeesian Video Calls Out Gaming's ‘Women in Refrigerators’\|url=http://kotaku.com/heres-anita-sarkeesians-second-tropes-vs-women-in-g-510123131\|publisher=Kotaku\|accessdate=13 July 2013\|date=28 May 2013}}</ref>

	== Episodes ==		== Episodes ==

	~~<onlyinclude>~~{\| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width: 80%; margin:auto;"		{\| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width: 80%; margin:auto;"
	\|-		\|-
	! style="background: #444f44; color:#ffffff;"\| No. in<br />series
	! style="background: #444f44; color:#ffffff;"\| Title		! style="background: #444f44; color:#ffffff;"\| Title
	! style="background: #444f44; color:#ffffff;"\| Release date		! style="background: #444f44; color:#ffffff;"\| Release date
	! style="background: #444f44; color:#ffffff;"\| YouTube views<br />(million ~~2/6/14)~~		! style="background: #444f44; color:#ffffff;"\| YouTube views<br />(million as of January 23, 2019)
	\|-		\|-
	{{Episode list/sublist\|~~List of~~ Tropes vs. Women in Video Games ~~episodes~~		{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = Damsel in Distress: Part 1
	\|EpisodeNumber = 1
	\|Title =
	\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2013\|3\|7}}		\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2013\|3\|7}}
	\|Viewers = 1.80		\|Viewers = 2.97
	\|ShortSummary = This video discusses the "]" trope, in which a passive female must be rescued by a male hero. It traces the formula's history from its origins in ancient literature to its establishment in early video games, particularly the influential '']'' and '']'' franchises.		\|ShortSummary = This video discusses the "]" trope, in which a passive female must be rescued by a male hero. It traces the formula's history from its origins in ancient literature to its establishment in early video games, particularly the influential '']'' and '']'' franchises.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2013 \|title=Damsel in Distress: Part 1 \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6p5AZp7r_Q \|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
	\|LineColor = 444f44		\|LineColor = 444f44
	}}		}}
	{{Episode list/sublist\|~~List of~~ Tropes vs. Women in Video Games ~~episodes~~		{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = Damsel in Distress: Part 2
	\|EpisodeNumber = 2
	\|Title =
	\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2013\|5\|28}}		\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2013\|5\|28}}
	\|Viewers = 0.95		\|Viewers = 1.36
	\|ShortSummary = This video explores "dark and edgy" variants of the Damsel in Distress trope in 21st century video games, such as the "disposable woman", the "]" and the "]", which debase female characters to motivate or empower the male protagonist.		\|ShortSummary = This video explores "dark and edgy" variants of the Damsel in Distress trope in 21st-century video games, such as the "disposable woman", the "]" and the "]", which debase female characters to motivate or empower the male protagonist.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2013 \|title=Damsel in Distress: Part 2 \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toa_vH6xGqs \|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
	\|LineColor = 444f44		\|LineColor = 444f44
	}}		}}
	{{Episode list/sublist\|~~List of~~ Tropes vs. Women in Video Games ~~episodes~~		{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = Damsel in Distress: Part 3
	\|EpisodeNumber = 3
	\|Title =
	\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2013\|8\|1}}		\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2013\|8\|1}}
	\|Viewers = 0.66		\|Viewers = 0.98
	\|ShortSummary = This installment examines the "Dude in Distress" twist on the damsel trope and "]" in ] modern games. It then discusses games and concepts that deconstruct the traditional damsel formula.		\|ShortSummary = This installment examines the "Dude in Distress" twist on the damsel trope and "]" in ] modern games. It then discusses games and concepts that deconstruct the traditional damsel formula.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2013 \|title=Damsel in Distress: Part 3 \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjImnqH_KwM \|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
	\|LineColor = 444f44		\|LineColor = 444f44
	}}		}}
	{{Episode list/sublist\|~~List of~~ Tropes vs. Women in Video Games ~~episodes~~		{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = Ms. Male Character
	\|EpisodeNumber = 4
	\|Title =
	\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2013\|11\|18}}		\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2013\|11\|18}}
	\|Viewers = 0.82		\|Viewers = 1.28
	\|ShortSummary = This video covers the "Ms. Male Character" trope, in which female characters are merely variants of established male characters with stereotypical female identifiers, such as ]. It further discusses the "Smurfette Principle", where stereotypical feminine traits are all that distinguish ] female characters within diverse male groups.		\|ShortSummary = This video covers the "Ms. Male Character" trope, in which female characters are merely variants of established male characters with stereotypical female identifiers, such as ]. It further discusses the "]", where stereotypical feminine traits are all that distinguish ] female characters within diverse male groups.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2013 \|title=Ms. Male Character \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYqYLfm1rWA \|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
	\|LineColor = 444f44		\|LineColor = 444f44
	}}		}}
			{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
	\|}</onlyinclude>
			\|Title = Women as Background Decoration: Part 1
			\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2014\|6\|16}}
			\|Viewers = 0.94
			\|ShortSummary = This video examines "Women as Background Decoration", a trope where ] female ] serve as titillating set dressing or as minimally interactive props for sex or violence, generally to add an "edgy, gritty or racy" aspect to the game world.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2014 \|title=Women as Background Decoration: Part 1 \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZPSrwedvsg \|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
			\|LineColor = 444f44
			}}
			{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = Women as Background Decoration: Part 2
			\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2014\|8\|25}}
			\|Viewers = 1.22
			\|ShortSummary = This episode focuses on variants of the "Women as Background Decoration" trope that combine both sexualization and violence in the portrayal of female characters, often in order to paint more significant male characters as brutal or villainous.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2014 \|title=Women as Background Decoration: Part 2 \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i_RPr9DwMA \|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
			\|LineColor = 444f44
			}}
			{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = The Scythian - Positive Female Characters in Video Games
			\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2015\|3\|31}}
			\|Viewers = 0.36
			\|ShortSummary = The first in a series of videos on positive female characters, this installment discusses the Scythian from '']''.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2015 \|title=The Scythian - Positive Female Characters in Video Games \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXmj2yJNUmQ \|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
			\|LineColor = 444f44
			}}
			{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = Jade - Positive Female Characters in Video Games
			\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2015\|5\|12}}
			\|Viewers = 0.29
			\|ShortSummary = Continuing the series of videos on positive female characters, this installment discusses ] from '']''.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2015 \|title=Jade - Positive Female Characters in Video Games \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCsu3YPOw50 \|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
			\|LineColor = 444f44
			}}
			{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = Women as Reward
			\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2015\|8\|31}}
			\|Viewers = 0.58
			\|ShortSummary = This episode discusses various incarnations of the pervasive "Women as Reward" trope, which presents women or their bodies as rewards for game actions. Sarkeesian argues that the trope, which caters to a presumed straight male audience, is part of a pattern of male sexual entitlement in the wider culture.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2015 \|title=Women as Reward \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC6oxBLXtkU \|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
			\|LineColor = 444f44
			}}
			{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = Women as Reward - Special DLC Mini-Episode
			\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2015\|9\|14}}
			\|Viewers = 0.48
			\|ShortSummary = An addendum to the previous episode, this video focuses on the use of women as rewards for exchanging real money in the context of ] and ].<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2015 \|title=Women as Reward - Special DLC Mini-Episode \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcqEZqBoGdM \|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
			\|LineColor = 444f44
			}}
			{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = Strategic Butt Coverings
			\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2016\|1\|19}}
			\|Viewers = 0.71
			\|ShortSummary = In this episode, Sarkeesian argues that video games often objectify female protagonists by sexualizing their ] via camera angles and costume choices; in contrast, male protagonists' buttocks are typically de-emphasized or hidden by clothing and other "Strategic Butt Coverings".<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2016 \|title=Strategic Butt Coverings - Tropes vs Women in Video Games \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujTufg1GvR4 \|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
			\|LineColor = 444f44
			}}
			{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = Body Language & The Male Gaze
			\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2016\|3\|31}}
			\|Viewers = 0.26
			\|ShortSummary = This video discusses how games' ] often sexualizes females; this is one way games are typically designed around the ].<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2016 \|title=Body Language & The Male Gaze - Tropes vs Women in Video Games \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPOla9SEdXQ \|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
			\|LineColor = 444f44
			}}
			{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = Lingerie is not Armor
			\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2016\|6\|6}}
			\|Viewers = 0.30
			\|ShortSummary = This video discusses the sexualized outfits often worn by female game characters, and explores the differences between sexualization and empowerment.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2016 \|title=Lingerie is not Armor - Tropes vs Women in Video Games \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jko06dA_x88 \|accessdate=June 27, 2016}}</ref>
			\|LineColor = 444f44
			}}
			{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = Are Women Too Hard To Animate?
			\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2016\|7\|27}}
			\|Viewers = 0.37
			\|ShortSummary = This installment discusses the dearth of female stock enemies and multiplayer characters in games. Where they do exist, they are often set apart through sexualization and stereotypical identifiers, though other games present them on comparable footing to males.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2016 \|title=Are Women Too Hard To Animate? - Tropes vs Women in Video Games \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u64MGg3Hpp0 \|accessdate=July 28, 2016}}</ref>
			\|LineColor = 444f44
			}}
			{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = All the Slender Ladies: Body Diversity in Video Games
			\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2016\|9\|01}}
			\|Viewers = 0.40
			\|ShortSummary = This video discusses how female characters tend to have similarly slender, conventionally attractive physiques, compared to the much wider range of male body shapes.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2016 \|title=All the Slender Ladies: Body Diversity in Video Games - Tropes vs Women in Video Games \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbqRtp5ZUGE \|accessdate=September 1, 2016}}</ref>
			\| LineColor = 444f44
			}}
			{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = Sinister Seductress
			\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2016\|9\|28}}
			\|Viewers = 0.15
			\|ShortSummary = This episode explores several ancient tropes that present femaleness as inherently threatening: "Grotesquely Female" characters, whose female traits are repulsive; the "Sinister Seductress", whose sexuality is dangerous; and characters who combine both tropes.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2016 \|title=Sinister Seductress - Tropes vs Women in Video Games \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oXzWzMqarU \|accessdate=September 29, 2016}}</ref>
			\| LineColor = 444f44
			}}
			{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = Not Your Exotic Fantasy
			\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2017\|1\|31}}
			\|Viewers = 0.21
			\|ShortSummary = This episode explores the ways games exoticize indigenous or "tribal" characters with long-standing racist and sexist stereotypes.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2017 \|title=Not Your Exotic Fantasy - Tropes vs Women in Video Games \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2hYdBxxTTM \|accessdate=January 31, 2017}}</ref>
			\| LineColor = 444f44
			}}
			{{Episode list/sublist\|Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
			\|Title = The Lady Sidekick
			\|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date\|2017\|4\|27}}
			\|Viewers = 0.19
			\|ShortSummary = This episode explores the limited roles games generally assign to female ]s.<ref group="‡">{{cite AV media \|people=] \|year=2017 \|title=The Lady Sidekick - Tropes vs Women in Video Games \|medium=Video \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BrKqEtG-2w \|accessdate=May 4, 2017}}</ref>
			\| LineColor = 444f44
			}}
			\|}

	==Reception==		== Reception ==
	The first three videos discuss examples of the "]" trope, in which passive and often helpless female characters must be rescued by the male hero.<ref name=Singal/><ref name=Dean>{{cite web \| url= http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/31/tropes-vs-women-in-video-games-why-it-matters \| title=Video games are more important than ever before, and so is cultural criticism of them. \| publisher=] \| date=May 31, 2013 \| accessdate=19 September 2013 \| author=Dean, Paul}}</ref> Paul Dean of '']'' described the videos as an analysis of sexism that, while possibly "difficult to swallow" for some video game players, did not attack gaming itself but only "disappointing" stories in games.<ref name=Dean/> Aja Romano of the '']'' noted that even "strong female characters" are portrayed under this trope, and not treated as equals of male characters.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/sarkeesian-tropes-vs-women-3-damsels/ \| title=Anita Sarkeesian still can't catch a break \| publisher=] \| date=August 2, 2013 \| accessdate=19 September 2013 \| author=Aja Romano}}</ref> Maddy Myers of '']'' commented on the difficulty Sarkeesian faces due to the "impossible and insurmountable expectations" and intense scrutiny placed on her and other female video game critics.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2013/06/hyper-mode-anita-sarkeesian-and-the-trouble-with-m.html \| title=Hyper Mode: Anita Sarkeesian And The Trouble With Magic Bullets \| publisher=] \| date=June 4, 2013 \| accessdate=20 September 2013 \| author=Maddy Myers}}</ref> ''The Boston Globe'' wrote that the videos' strength lies in Sarkeesian's "deft at anticipating rebuttals", and said such work was important in challenging the industry to move away from overused tropes.<ref name=Singal/> In 2013, '']'' magazine named Sarkeesian one of its "125 Women of Impact", writing that regardless of the harassment, "Damsel in Distress" was "racking up accolades".<ref>{{cite journal \|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> \|title= 125 Women of Impact \|url= \|journal= Newsweek \|location= \|publisher= \|date= March 29, 2013 \|accessdate= }}</ref>

			=== Harassment and response ===
	Scholar Nate Carpenter reviewed the "Damsel in Distress" video positively in the journal ''Women & Language''. Carpenter commended the series for rendering the ideas and language of media criticism into a format accessible for a general audience. He found it limited in failing to analyze the cultural milieu that perpetuates damaging tropes, but overall found it an "intelligent, engaging, and entertaining point of departure" for viewers interested in media studies.<ref>{{cite journal \|last= Carpenter \|first= Nate \|date= Spring 2013 \|title= Tropes vs. Women in Video Games \|url= \|journal= Women & Language \|publisher= Michigan Technological University \|volume= 36 \|issue= 1 \|pages= 97–99 \|issn=8755-4550 \|accessdate=}}</ref> Chris Suellentrop of ] referred to the first four videos of the series as "essential viewing for anyone interested in video games", and cites it as the reason why he asked ] about the themes of damsels present in his games (to which he responds "I haven’t given it a lot of deep thought over the years").<ref>{{cite web\| url= http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/15/arts/video-games/chris-suellentrop-on-the-year-in-video-games.html \| title=In the Footsteps of Lara Croft\| publisher=] \| date=December 13, 2013 \| accessdate=27 December 2014 \|author=Chris Suellentrop}}</ref>
			{{further\|Anita Sarkeesian#Harassment\|Gamergate (harassment campaign)}}

			The harassment continued as the series went into production.<ref name=Singal/> When the second video of the series was flagged on YouTube for "containing inappropriate material" by challengers of the series, it was temporarily blocked. However, Sarkeesian appealed the block and it was lifted.<ref>{{cite web \|first=Kyle \|last=Hilliard \|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/05/28/anita-sarkeesian-tropes-vs-women-video-series-examines-the-damsel-in-distress.aspx \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607180757/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/05/28/anita-sarkeesian-tropes-vs-women-video-series-examines-the-damsel-in-distress.aspx \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=June 7, 2013 \|title=Anita Sarkeesian's Tropes Vs. Women Video Series Examines The Damsel In Distress \|publisher=Game Informer \|date=March 28, 2013 \|accessdate=March 30, 2013}}</ref> Due to her previous experiences, Sarkeesian disabled comments and ratings for her videos.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/anita-sarkeesian-tropes-vs-women-debut/ \|title=Anita Sarkeesian debuts first episode of "Tropes vs. Women" \|last1=Romano \|first1=Aja \|date=March 18, 2013 \|website=] \|accessdate=July 12, 2014}}</ref>

			In August 2014, after the release of the sixth episode of the video series, which focused on the "Women as Background Decoration" trope, harassment of Sarkeesian had reached such levels that she announced that a threat drove her out of her home. She was quoted as having posted on Twitter, "Some very scary threats have just been made against me and my family. Contacting authorities now", followed by a later tweet, "I'm safe. Authorities have been notified. Staying with friends tonight. I'm not giving up. But this harassment of women in tech must stop!"<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/8/27/6075679/sarkeesian-driven-out-of-home-by-online-abuse-and-death-threats \|author=Campbell, Colin \|title=Sarkeesian driven out of home by online abuse and death threats \|publisher=Polygon.com \|date=August 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal \|last=Dominguez \|first=James \|date=August 29, 2014 \|title=Feminist game critic driven from home by disturbing online threats \|journal=The Sydney Morning Herald \|publisher=Fairfax Media \|location=Sydney, Australia \|url=http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/games/feminist-game-critic-driven-from-home-by-disturbing-online-threats-20140829-109t2y.html \|accessdate=August 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/08/29/gaming-vlogger-anita-sarkeesian-is-forced-from-home-after-receiving-harrowing-death-threats/ \|title=Gaming vlogger Anita Sarkeesian is forced from home after receiving harrowing death threats \|last=McDonald \|first=Soraya Nadia \|date=August 29, 2014 \|newspaper=The Washington Post \|accessdate=August 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/future-proof/2014/08/tropes-vs-anita-sarkeesian-passing-anti-feminist-nonsense-critique \|title=Tropes vs Anita Sarkeesian: on passing off anti-feminist nonsense as critique \|last=Steadman \|first=Ian \|date=August 27, 2014 \|work=New Statesman \|accessdate=August 29, 2014}}</ref>

			=== Critical reception ===
			Nate Carpenter reviewed the "Damsel in Distress" video positively in the journal ''Women & Language''. Carpenter commended the series for rendering the ideas and language of media criticism into a format accessible for a general audience. He judged it limited in failing to analyze the cultural milieu that perpetuates damaging tropes, but overall found it an "intelligent, engaging, and entertaining point of departure" for viewers interested in media studies.<ref>{{cite journal \|last=Carpenter \|first=Nate \|date=Spring 2013 \|title=Tropes vs. Women in Video Games \|journal=Women & Language \|publisher=Michigan Technological University \|volume=36 \|issue=1 \|pages=97–99 \|issn=8755-4550}}</ref>

			Chris Suellentrop of '']'' referred to the first four videos of the series as "essential viewing for anyone interested in video games". The series inspired Suellentrop to ask ] designer ] about his frequent use of helpless "damsels" in his games; Miyamoto responded, "I haven’t given it a lot of deep thought over the years."<ref>{{cite web \|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/15/arts/video-games/chris-suellentrop-on-the-year-in-video-games.html \|title=In the Footsteps of Lara Croft \|work=] \|date=December 13, 2013 \|accessdate=27 December 2014 \|author=Chris Suellentrop}}</ref> ] of '']'' wrote that the videos' strength lies in Sarkeesian's "deft at anticipating rebuttals", and said such work was important in challenging the industry to move away from overused tropes.<ref name=Singal/> In 2013, '']'' magazine named Sarkeesian one of its "125 Women of Impact", writing that regardless of the harassment, "Damsel in Distress" was "racking up accolades".<ref>{{cite journal \|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> \|title=125 Women of Impact \|journal=Newsweek \|date=March 29, 2013}}</ref>

			Paul Dean of ] described the videos as an analysis of sexism that, while possibly "difficult to swallow" for some video game players, did not attack gaming itself but only "disappointing" stories in games.<ref name=Dean/> Maddy Myers of '']'' stated that Sarkeesian faces difficulties due to the unrealistic expectations and intense scrutiny placed on her and other female video game critics.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2013/06/hyper-mode-anita-sarkeesian-and-the-trouble-with-m.html \|title=Hyper Mode: Anita Sarkeesian And The Trouble With Magic Bullets \|publisher=] \|date=June 4, 2013 \|accessdate=20 September 2013 \|author=Maddy Myers}}</ref> Writing in '']'', Joshua Rivera said the series "illustrates in painstaking detail" video game designers' penchant for using violence against women as narrative shorthand, calling it "lazy storytelling", and said Sarkeesian's work is valuable because "as video games mature as a medium, they need to be held to the kind of scrutiny we hold other art forms to."<ref name=EW>. Rivera, Joshua. '']'', 28 August 2014.</ref>

			'']'' columnist ] wrote that Sarkeesian's attackers effectively deter legitimate critique of her work, as many commentators are wary of being associated with the harassment.<ref name=SuntimesSteinberg/> ] and ] have also observed that the abuse directed at Sarkeesian makes it harder for legitimate criticism of her work to be heard.<ref name=GuardianJenkins/>

			Speaking about "Women as Background Decoration", Steinberg wrote that Sarkeesian cites no evidence for her claims that video games facilitate violence against women, though he commended her activism in combating sexism.<ref name="SuntimesSteinberg">{{Cite web \|last=Steinberg \|first=Neil \|title=Vile foes of feminist game critic miss mark \|url=https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-sun-times/20141020/281913066368265 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921041837/https://www.pressreader.com/usa/chicago-sun-times/20141020/281913066368265 \|archive-date=September 21, 2021 \|work=] \|accessdate=16 October 2015}}</ref> Noah Berlatsky wrote in '']'' that some ]s have objected to Sarkeesian's discussions of video game portrayals of their industry, particularly her use of terminology that they believe plays into the objectification she criticizes.<ref>{{cite web \|last1=Berlatsky \|first1=Noah \|title=Pixelated Prostitution: Feminist Sex Work Debate Bleeds Into Video Games \|date=20 December 2014 \|url=http://www.newsweek.com/pixelated-prostitution-feminist-sex-work-debate-bleeds-video-games-293311 \|publisher=] \|accessdate=7 January 2015}}</ref> ] wrote in ] that the ''Tropes vs. Women'' videos are "full of selective and skewed analysis" that overlooks evidence that may challenge Sarkeesian's arguments.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2014/10/21/the_gender_games_part_2_videogames_meet_feminism_124375.html \|title=The Gender Games, Part 2: Videogames Meet Feminism \|last1=Young \|first1=Cathy \|author-link=Cathy Young \|date=October 21, 2014 \|website=] \|accessdate=October 22, 2014}}</ref>

			''Tropes vs. Women''{{'s}} claim that women characters fit narrow roles in ]'s 2012 game '']'' initially made the studio defensive, but led the team to realize that the game's female characters were solely servants, prostitutes, witches, queens, girls, or mistresses, though this was not their intention. As a result, the development team decided to expand ]'s role as a playable main character in '']''.<ref>{{Cite web \|last1=Alexander \|first1=Julia \|title=Criticism about female characters led to playable Emily in Dishonored 2 \|work=] \|date=2017-06-14 \|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/14/15801096/dishonored-2-emily-criticism \|accessdate=2017-06-14 \|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

	== See also ==		== See also ==
	*]		* ]
	{{Portal bar\|Feminism\|Gender studies\|Internet\|Video games}}

	== References ==		== References ==
	{{reflist\|~~33em~~}}		{{reflist\|30em}}

			=== Primary sources ===
			In the text these references are preceded by a double dagger (‡):
			{{Reflist\|group="‡"}}

			== External links ==
			{{wikiquote}}
			* {{YouTube \| c = UC7Edgk9RxP7Fm7vjQ1d-cDA \| Feminist Frequency }}
			* {{IMDb title\|3897284}}

			{{Portal bar\|Feminism\|Internet\|Video games}}

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Latest revision as of 12:21, 1 October 2024

YouTube video series

Tropes vs. Women in Video Games
Title card used in the videos
Genre	Video game culture
Directed by	Anita Sarkeesian
Presented by	Anita Sarkeesian
Theme music composer	Matt Joynt, Nathan Sandberg
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of episodes	18
Production
Producer	Jonathan McIntosh
Original release
Network	YouTube
Release	March 7, 2013 (2013-03-07) – April 27, 2017 (2017-04-27)

Tropes vs. Women in Video Games is a YouTube video series created by Anita Sarkeesian examining gender representation in video games. The series was financed via crowdfunding, and came to widespread attention when its Kickstarter campaign triggered a wave of online harassment against Sarkeesian, causing her to flee her home at one point. Released on the channel Feminist Frequency between March 2013 and April 2017, the series consists of eighteen episodes.

The series explores and critiques the tropes used to represent women in video games. Sarkeesian argues that most video games cater to a straight male audience, such as by featuring primarily male playable characters and objectifying female characters. She also highlights examples of video games that feature more well-rounded representations of women. Critical response to the series was generally positive.

Background

In 2009, Sarkeesian started her website Feminist Frequency with the intention of creating feminist media criticism accessible to the younger generation. In 2011 she collaborated with the feminist magazine Bitch to create a YouTube video series for her site titled "Tropes vs. Women", which examined tropes in film, television and other popular media that she believes reinforce damaging stereotypes about women. After the success of "Tropes vs. Women", Sarkeesian began planning a follow-up series. In 2012, video game studio Bungie invited her to speak about developing strong female characters; the engagement was well received and inspired her to think more about games. Sarkeesian determined that some tropes she planned to discuss in her new series, such as the "Damsel in Distress", were particularly pervasive in video games, and decided to devote the second series specifically to games.

In May 2012, Sarkeesian announced she would crowdfund her series on "Tropes vs. Women in Video Games" through Kickstarter. She launched the Kickstarter project on May 17, 2012, with an initial goal of $6,000 to produce five videos of 10–20 minutes in length. The project reached its target in less than 24 hours, and Sarkeesian promptly set a series of "stretch" goals to fund additional installments.

The Kickstarter project also triggered a campaign of misogynist harassment from segments of video game culture. Attackers sent Sarkeesian death and rape threats, hacked her webpages and social media, vandalized her article on Misplaced Pages, and posted disparaging comments online. One attacker created a computer game that allowed players to punch a picture of Sarkeesian. Supporters responded by donating to the Kickstarter project. By the time the campaign closed on June 15, it had raised $158,922 from 6,968 donors, considerably higher than the original goal. The events generated substantial press coverage and helped bring the issue of pervasive sexism in video gaming to wider attention.

Production and impact

After the close of the Kickstarter, Sarkeesian decided to redevelop her concept for the series, writing that the additional funding allowed her to "expand the scope, scale and production values of the project". In January 2013, Sarkeesian launched a Tumblr web page called "Bits of Tropes Vs. Women in Games" previewing samples of the first video.

The first video in the Tropes vs Women in Video Games series, "Damsels in Distress (Part 1)", was released on March 7, 2013. The delay led some critics to question how she was using the money. Jesse Singal of The Boston Globe wrote that the production values of the new series were high, saying "so far, she appears to have put the money to good use." Fruzsina Eördögh of ReadWrite also stated that the production quality of the videos had increased from her previous works, but suggested Sarkeesian disclose her plan for the rest of her Kickstarter money to "knock down the only legitimate point" from her critics and provide guidance for other video bloggers.

Parts 2 and 3 of the series were released on May 28 and August 1, 2013. The second video was briefly removed due to abuse of YouTube's "flag" system, though it was quickly restored. Part 5 was released on June 17, 2014, focusing on the use of women in shallow background roles or as sex objects.

In January 2015, Feminist Frequency released its end of year report outlining its continued plans for the Tropes series and announced they were planning two new video series tackling the "positive" portrayal of women in video games, as well as the "portrayal of masculine identities in games", while saying that it had released only 6 of the originally planned 12 videos to this point due to increased commitments to public appearances and media interaction.

The series ended with its final episode, "The Lady Sidekick", posted on April 27, 2017. Sarkeesian announced that Feminist Frequency would produce another series.

In March 2019, Feminist Frequency returned with a three part miniseries on Queer Tropes in Video Games that is similar to Tropes vs. Women in Video Games.

According to Axios, Sarkeesian reflected that, in 2022, there were fewer examples of sexist tropes and "the pattern is less egregious".

Episodes

Title	Release date	YouTube views (million as of January 23, 2019)
"Damsel in Distress: Part 1"	March 7, 2013 (2013-03-07)	2.97
This video discusses the "Damsel in Distress" trope, in which a passive female must be rescued by a male hero. It traces the formula's history from its origins in ancient literature to its establishment in early video games, particularly the influential Mario and Zelda franchises.
"Damsel in Distress: Part 2"	May 28, 2013 (2013-05-28)	1.36
This video explores "dark and edgy" variants of the Damsel in Distress trope in 21st-century video games, such as the "disposable woman", the "mercy killing" and the "woman in the refrigerator", which debase female characters to motivate or empower the male protagonist.
"Damsel in Distress: Part 3"	August 1, 2013 (2013-08-01)	0.98
This installment examines the "Dude in Distress" twist on the damsel trope and "ironic sexism" in retro-inspired modern games. It then discusses games and concepts that deconstruct the traditional damsel formula.
"Ms. Male Character"	November 18, 2013 (2013-11-18)	1.28
This video covers the "Ms. Male Character" trope, in which female characters are merely variants of established male characters with stereotypical female identifiers, such as Ms. Pac-Man. It further discusses the "Smurfette Principle", where stereotypical feminine traits are all that distinguish token female characters within diverse male groups.
"Women as Background Decoration: Part 1"	June 16, 2014 (2014-06-16)	0.94
This video examines "Women as Background Decoration", a trope where sexually objectified female non-playable characters serve as titillating set dressing or as minimally interactive props for sex or violence, generally to add an "edgy, gritty or racy" aspect to the game world.
"Women as Background Decoration: Part 2"	August 25, 2014 (2014-08-25)	1.22
This episode focuses on variants of the "Women as Background Decoration" trope that combine both sexualization and violence in the portrayal of female characters, often in order to paint more significant male characters as brutal or villainous.
"The Scythian - Positive Female Characters in Video Games"	March 31, 2015 (2015-03-31)	0.36
The first in a series of videos on positive female characters, this installment discusses the Scythian from Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP.
"Jade - Positive Female Characters in Video Games"	May 12, 2015 (2015-05-12)	0.29
Continuing the series of videos on positive female characters, this installment discusses Jade from Beyond Good & Evil.
"Women as Reward"	August 31, 2015 (2015-08-31)	0.58
This episode discusses various incarnations of the pervasive "Women as Reward" trope, which presents women or their bodies as rewards for game actions. Sarkeesian argues that the trope, which caters to a presumed straight male audience, is part of a pattern of male sexual entitlement in the wider culture.
"Women as Reward - Special DLC Mini-Episode"	September 14, 2015 (2015-09-14)	0.48
An addendum to the previous episode, this video focuses on the use of women as rewards for exchanging real money in the context of downloadable content and pre-order incentives.
"Strategic Butt Coverings"	January 19, 2016 (2016-01-19)	0.71
In this episode, Sarkeesian argues that video games often objectify female protagonists by sexualizing their buttocks via camera angles and costume choices; in contrast, male protagonists' buttocks are typically de-emphasized or hidden by clothing and other "Strategic Butt Coverings".
"Body Language & The Male Gaze"	March 31, 2016 (2016-03-31)	0.26
This video discusses how games' character animation often sexualizes females; this is one way games are typically designed around the male gaze.
"Lingerie is not Armor"	June 6, 2016 (2016-06-06)	0.30
This video discusses the sexualized outfits often worn by female game characters, and explores the differences between sexualization and empowerment.
"Are Women Too Hard To Animate?"	July 27, 2016 (2016-07-27)	0.37
This installment discusses the dearth of female stock enemies and multiplayer characters in games. Where they do exist, they are often set apart through sexualization and stereotypical identifiers, though other games present them on comparable footing to males.
"All the Slender Ladies: Body Diversity in Video Games"	September 1, 2016 (2016-09-01)	0.40
This video discusses how female characters tend to have similarly slender, conventionally attractive physiques, compared to the much wider range of male body shapes.
"Sinister Seductress"	September 28, 2016 (2016-09-28)	0.15
This episode explores several ancient tropes that present femaleness as inherently threatening: "Grotesquely Female" characters, whose female traits are repulsive; the "Sinister Seductress", whose sexuality is dangerous; and characters who combine both tropes.
"Not Your Exotic Fantasy"	January 31, 2017 (2017-01-31)	0.21
This episode explores the ways games exoticize indigenous or "tribal" characters with long-standing racist and sexist stereotypes.
"The Lady Sidekick"	April 27, 2017 (2017-04-27)	0.19
This episode explores the limited roles games generally assign to female sidekicks.

Reception

Harassment and response

Further information: Anita Sarkeesian § Harassment, and Gamergate (harassment campaign)

The harassment continued as the series went into production. When the second video of the series was flagged on YouTube for "containing inappropriate material" by challengers of the series, it was temporarily blocked. However, Sarkeesian appealed the block and it was lifted. Due to her previous experiences, Sarkeesian disabled comments and ratings for her videos.

In August 2014, after the release of the sixth episode of the video series, which focused on the "Women as Background Decoration" trope, harassment of Sarkeesian had reached such levels that she announced that a threat drove her out of her home. She was quoted as having posted on Twitter, "Some very scary threats have just been made against me and my family. Contacting authorities now", followed by a later tweet, "I'm safe. Authorities have been notified. Staying with friends tonight. I'm not giving up. But this harassment of women in tech must stop!"

Critical reception

Nate Carpenter reviewed the "Damsel in Distress" video positively in the journal Women & Language. Carpenter commended the series for rendering the ideas and language of media criticism into a format accessible for a general audience. He judged it limited in failing to analyze the cultural milieu that perpetuates damaging tropes, but overall found it an "intelligent, engaging, and entertaining point of departure" for viewers interested in media studies.

Chris Suellentrop of The New York Times referred to the first four videos of the series as "essential viewing for anyone interested in video games". The series inspired Suellentrop to ask Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto about his frequent use of helpless "damsels" in his games; Miyamoto responded, "I haven’t given it a lot of deep thought over the years." Jesse Singal of The Boston Globe wrote that the videos' strength lies in Sarkeesian's "deft at anticipating rebuttals", and said such work was important in challenging the industry to move away from overused tropes. In 2013, Newsweek magazine named Sarkeesian one of its "125 Women of Impact", writing that regardless of the harassment, "Damsel in Distress" was "racking up accolades".

Paul Dean of IGN described the videos as an analysis of sexism that, while possibly "difficult to swallow" for some video game players, did not attack gaming itself but only "disappointing" stories in games. Maddy Myers of Paste stated that Sarkeesian faces difficulties due to the unrealistic expectations and intense scrutiny placed on her and other female video game critics. Writing in Entertainment Weekly, Joshua Rivera said the series "illustrates in painstaking detail" video game designers' penchant for using violence against women as narrative shorthand, calling it "lazy storytelling", and said Sarkeesian's work is valuable because "as video games mature as a medium, they need to be held to the kind of scrutiny we hold other art forms to."

Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg wrote that Sarkeesian's attackers effectively deter legitimate critique of her work, as many commentators are wary of being associated with the harassment. Ian Bogost and Anna Anthropy have also observed that the abuse directed at Sarkeesian makes it harder for legitimate criticism of her work to be heard.

Speaking about "Women as Background Decoration", Steinberg wrote that Sarkeesian cites no evidence for her claims that video games facilitate violence against women, though he commended her activism in combating sexism. Noah Berlatsky wrote in Newsweek that some sex workers have objected to Sarkeesian's discussions of video game portrayals of their industry, particularly her use of terminology that they believe plays into the objectification she criticizes. Cathy Young wrote in RealClearPolitics that the Tropes vs. Women videos are "full of selective and skewed analysis" that overlooks evidence that may challenge Sarkeesian's arguments.

Tropes vs. Women's claim that women characters fit narrow roles in Arkane Studios's 2012 game Dishonored initially made the studio defensive, but led the team to realize that the game's female characters were solely servants, prostitutes, witches, queens, girls, or mistresses, though this was not their intention. As a result, the development team decided to expand Emily Kaldwin's role as a playable main character in Dishonored 2.