Blizzard removes Overwatch character's 'sexual' victory pose after fan complaint

[hahahanoobs]

Tracer has nothing on Cammy....

 

[Burty117]

You guys are all missing the reason for the uproar and just looking at the fact that someone disagreed with something that doesn't look like a big deal.

No I do get the reasoning, I don't disagree with it either. I'm just messing about on the posts above.

The pic above me is of Jinx from League of Legends - I'm pretty sure she's the ONLY female character without double D size hanging out b00bs.

Well that's not strictly true, Alyx Vance from Half-Life, Emily from Bioshock Infinite, Tali/Liara/Ashley/Jack from Mass Effect, Maya from Borderlands and Leah from Diablo all come to mind as women who aren't overly sexualised or have massive breasts. I didn't even need to Google that, I've just played the games.

Guys all look like muscle bound bad-asses because in a game, that makes sense. You look kick-*** and then you go and kick ***. But what the heck does being stick thin with giant b00bs have to do with kicking *** on the battle field? (Not like you can wield that huge sword any better, right, Riven?) It means woman can't relate, and that's what Blizz told us they tried to avoid with Overwatch.

Wait a second, you reckon I can relate to Marcus Phoenix from Gears of War?! I'm like the total opposite of him, I'm skinny and pathetic while he's huge and has so much muscle he can barely turn to wipe his own a$$. I definitely didn't play Gears of War because I related to any of the characters in that game. I sorta see where your coming from though, I just don't think it would help and is possibly a little sexist.

Step 1 Blizz, Go hire some women artists!

All future games should have men that have perfectly chizzled six packs and rather overly large snakes in their down stairs department?

I'm joking, you could be on to something, let women draw women and they'll probably get the balance right unlike blokes that go a little too extreme.

EDIT: Just wanted to add, as you can see from my list of characters I remember and the pictures I've posted already, I'm not a massive giant b00bs or a$$ fan. More of a body and curves and cute face kinda guy. I don't find extreme characters all that sexy to be honest. So I guess that's another part of the discussion, do you even find Tracers banned Pose sexy or attractive?

 

[Jamesbrah]

You guys are all missing the reason for the uproar and just looking at the fact that someone disagreed with something that doesn't look like a big deal.

The reason isn't because the pose is sexy, it's because when Blizz came out and promoted Overwatch, one of the things they said about it was 'We want to stop making all the female characters s3x symbols - we want to promote a team atmosphere - bring girls into the gaming world, etc, etc etc'

The problem is they specifically said one of their goals for Overwatch was to NOT do stuff like this. It's not that it's bad, it's just that they made a point of telling us they had a goal to not do it. If anything, this is proof that game designers just can't help making women s3xy.

The pic above me is of Jinx from League of Legends - I'm pretty sure she's the ONLY female character without double D size hanging out b00bs. (There are like 50 with them). Game makers want to bring in more women into gaming, and showing them all off s3x symbols doesn't help.

Guys all look like muscle bound bad-asses because in a game, that makes sense. You look kick-*** and then you go and kick ***. But what the heck does being stick thin with giant b00bs have to do with kicking *** on the battle field? (Not like you can wield that huge sword any better, right, Riven?) It means woman can't relate, and that's what Blizz told us they tried to avoid with Overwatch.

Step 1 Blizz, Go hire some women artists!

I wish everyone would read this and understand. Everyone needs to put their pitchforks down.

 

[teddy]

Kinda lame from blizz that they do this, only bc of 1 person. and doesnt make d2 in full hd or at least 1024x768 resolution, bc of the many thousand of ppl who asked for it. will be fun when that persons name gets out

 

[Sniped_Ash]

You guys are all missing the reason for the uproar and just looking at the fact that someone disagreed with something that doesn't look like a big deal.

The reason isn't because the pose is sexy, it's because when Blizz came out and promoted Overwatch, one of the things they said about it was 'We want to stop making all the female characters s3x symbols - we want to promote a team atmosphere - bring girls into the gaming world, etc, etc etc'

The problem is they specifically said one of their goals for Overwatch was to NOT do stuff like this. It's not that it's bad, it's just that they made a point of telling us they had a goal to not do it. If anything, this is proof that game designers just can't help making women s3xy.

The pic above me is of Jinx from League of Legends - I'm pretty sure she's the ONLY female character without double D size hanging out b00bs. (There are like 50 with them). Game makers want to bring in more women into gaming, and showing them all off s3x symbols doesn't help.

Guys all look like muscle bound bad-asses because in a game, that makes sense. You look kick-*** and then you go and kick ***. But what the heck does being stick thin with giant b00bs have to do with kicking *** on the battle field? (Not like you can wield that huge sword any better, right, Riven?) It means woman can't relate, and that's what Blizz told us they tried to avoid with Overwatch.

Step 1 Blizz, Go hire some women artists!

If that was Blizzard's intent, then they failed right out of the gate with Widowmaker, Symmetra, and Mercy. I'm not saying that changing Tracer's victory pose is bad; they've just got a ways to go if they're trying to tone down the overtly sexual design for women characters.

 

[Peter Farkas]

"... Fipps said it turns the character into “another bland female sex symbol.”"
Really? That picture? I don't see anything special like that about that picture. It is not even close to that.

Because he worries about his daughter... bullsh1t....

 

[treetops]

Blizzard no longer exists, they are EA. They bought the right to use blizzard name but we all know who runs blizzard. Wish everyone else loved DNF multiplayer as much as I did.. Were born naked... I mean really a cartoon. Do you close your eyes while you take a shower?

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

If that was Blizzard's intent, then they failed right out of the gate with Widowmaker, Symmetra, and Mercy. I'm not saying that changing Tracer's victory pose is bad; they've just got a ways to go if they're trying to tone down the overtly sexual design for women characters.

True, but did you see the original pic, not the one in the story above that only shows above her knee, but the whole picture? It's a bad picture, and I mean that from an artistic sense. Her body is like 70% legs and 30% back/shoulders/head. She looks like a stretched barbie. I think Blizz also agreed easily with this because it's a terrible pic. No one with legs that long could even run - they'd look like a giraffe.
Go check out mmo-champion.com for the original, or just google - it's probably all over the place.

 

[NTAPRO]

What am I looking at that's supposed to be sexual. She doesn't even have a booty lmao

 

[dirtyferret]

You guys are all missing the reason for the uproar and just looking at the fact that someone disagreed with something that doesn't look like a big deal.

The reason isn't because the pose is sexy, it's because when Blizz came out and promoted Overwatch, one of the things they said about it was 'We want to stop making all the female characters s3x symbols - we want to promote a team atmosphere - bring girls into the gaming world, etc, etc etc'

The problem is they specifically said one of their goals for Overwatch was to NOT do stuff like this. It's not that it's bad, it's just that they made a point of telling us they had a goal to not do it. If anything, this is proof that game designers just can't help making women s3xy.

The pic above me is of Jinx from League of Legends - I'm pretty sure she's the ONLY female character without double D size hanging out b00bs. (There are like 50 with them). Game makers want to bring in more women into gaming, and showing them all off s3x symbols doesn't help.

Guys all look like muscle bound bad-asses because in a game, that makes sense. You look kick-*** and then you go and kick ***. But what the heck does being stick thin with giant b00bs have to do with kicking *** on the battle field? (Not like you can wield that huge sword any better, right, Riven?) It means woman can't relate, and that's what Blizz told us they tried to avoid with Overwatch.

Step 1 Blizz, Go hire some women artists!

1) I agree but I don't think the pose is sexy, it's more about using sex to appeal to the lowest common denominator (see several posts above). Blizzard is obviously not the first company to do so nor will they be the last. Blizzard (owned by activision not EA) can design their characters however they want but they lose credibility when they state they want to bring girls into gaming and then create stick figures with big boobs that act more like weird japanese anime characters then real people.

2) I think too many people confuse sexy with sex, not uncommon among teenagers. Yes I know teenagers will be the majority of people playing this game.

 

[davislane1]

You guys are all missing the reason for the uproar and just looking at the fact that someone disagreed with something that doesn't look like a big deal.

The reason isn't because the pose is sexy, it's because when Blizz came out and promoted Overwatch, one of the things they said about it was 'We want to stop making all the female characters s3x symbols - we want to promote a team atmosphere - bring girls into the gaming world, etc, etc etc'

The problem is they specifically said one of their goals for Overwatch was to NOT do stuff like this. It's not that it's bad, it's just that they made a point of telling us they had a goal to not do it. If anything, this is proof that game designers just can't help making women s3xy.

The pic above me is of Jinx from League of Legends - I'm pretty sure she's the ONLY female character without double D size hanging out b00bs. (There are like 50 with them). Game makers want to bring in more women into gaming, and showing them all off s3x symbols doesn't help.

Guys all look like muscle bound bad-asses because in a game, that makes sense. You look kick-*** and then you go and kick ***. But what the heck does being stick thin with giant b00bs have to do with kicking *** on the battle field? (Not like you can wield that huge sword any better, right, Riven?) It means woman can't relate, and that's what Blizz told us they tried to avoid with Overwatch.

Step 1 Blizz, Go hire some women artists!

Wholeheartedly disagree.

First, the men in these games are just as over-sexualized as the females. Real-world warriors do not look like steroidal muscle tanks. It's impractical and a liability (bigger target).

Second, being "stick thin" with giant b00bs and being "battle ready" isn't even unrealistic. One trip inside a decent gym dispells that myth.

Third, identification with virtual avatars is rediculous. What percentage of male gamers can relate to machine-gun weilding, grenade-tossing, no punches pulled, risk guzzling, testosterone-jacked bodybuilders? But idealized female avatars are going to make it difficult for women to relate...

More importantly, believeability isn't even part of the game. In what universe does a "relateable" 140-160lb plain jane female stand a candle's chance in hell against some 300lbs+ hulking maniac of superior size, strength, and speed? It's a fantasy game. None of it is believeable.

The devs sexualize the male and female characters because it makes the games more asthetically pleasing. People complain about that sexualization because of their own insecurities and political agendas.

 

[Camikazi]

I think it's sexist saying woman in games aren't allowed to be sexy.

Actually according to some it is since thinking of a woman as sexy is turning her into a sex object, or something like that.

 

[cliffordcooley]

I think too many people confuse sexy with sex

I think you need to look up the definition, you seem to think they are not related. There is a reason why "sex" is part of the word "sexy".

 

[dirtyferret]

I think too many people confuse sexy with sex

I think you need to look up the definition, you seem to think they are not related. There is a reason why "sex" is part of the word "sexy".

I never stated they are not related words so please don't put your own words in my mouth as you are wrong. I stated they are not the same thing and people confuse the two words, which the good people of webster clearly state below are not the same thing. Now to the lowest common denominator they may be the exact same thing but hey the world needs ditch diggers also so don't let me hold you up with education.

Simple Definition of sex

: the state of being male or female

: men or male animals as a group or women or female animals as a group

: physical activity in which people touch each other's bodies, kiss each other, etc. : physical activity that is related to and often includes sexual intercourse

Simple Definition of sexy

: sexually appealing, attractive, or exciting

: having interesting or appealing qualities

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

Wholeheartedly disagree.

First, the men in these games are just as over-sexualized as the females. Real-world warriors do not look like steroidal muscle tanks. It's impractical and a liability (bigger target).

Second, being "stick thin" with giant b00bs and being "battle ready" isn't even unrealistic. One trip inside a decent gym dispells that myth.

Third, identification with virtual avatars is rediculous. What percentage of male gamers can relate to machine-gun weilding, grenade-tossing, no punches pulled, risk guzzling, testosterone-jacked bodybuilders? But idealized female avatars are going to make it difficult for women to relate...

More importantly, believeability isn't even part of the game. In what universe does a "relateable" 140-160lb plain jane female stand a candle's chance in hell against some 300lbs+ hulking maniac of superior size, strength, and speed? It's a fantasy game. None of it is believeable.

The devs sexualize the male and female characters because it makes the games more asthetically pleasing. People complain about that sexualization because of their own insecurities and political agendas.

Do you also wholeheartedly disagree that Blizz stated their intentions were the exact opposite of this pic?

You're making your argument based on logic. But it's ONLY based on logic. Logically, yes, the game has a fighting gorilla wearing glasses which is complete fiction, but that doesn't give it a free license to just throw all sorts of differing traits into the same character just because the character is fiction and not expect people not to get turned off by it.

Some are nice, some are evil, some are friendly. Making the character who's supposed to be nice/friendly look like an elongated barbie is contradictory. You can make a logical argument that we 'should' have equal feelings about it, but it won't change how people feel. If people acted logically at least 4 of our leading presidential candidates right now wouldn't get a single vote.

The issue isn't a sexy character, the issue is a character that doesn't make sense. If one of the game's villian's victory poses was them working at soup kitchen we'd think it was dumb because it wouldn't make sense. Same thing with Tracer looking like a stripper. And that doesn't even address the issue that the pic is totally disproportionate. Yes, it's fiction, but we wouldn't make her with beach-ball sized b00bs either - because it would look just as ridiculous as a girl will 5 ft legs.

identification with virtual avatars is ridiculous

it's ridiculous to you. There are many people who disagree. Call it cosplay or escapism or whatever you like, but that part of a kid that runs around in the batman costume doesn't leave everyone as they grow older. Blizz tries to appeal to this with a wide variety of characters. Making Tracer into another one of the sexy ones, takes away from that variety - and that's not what they want. It's not an insecurity or a political agenda. It's marketing.

 

[davislane1]

Do you also wholeheartedly disagree that Blizz stated their intentions were the exact opposite of this pic?

Absolutely. The case against this picture (the origial feeback comment) is purely emotional.

There are many people who disagree. Call it cosplay or escapism or whatever you like, but that part of a kid that runs around in the batman costume doesn't leave everyone as they grow older. Blizz tries to appeal to this with a wide variety of characters.

Yes. Kids aspire to take on the attributes of their heroes. Those heroes represent unattainable extremes of cultural virtures, just as the villians represent vices. Those vices and virtues are both morally-based and asthetically-based, the latter being what this issue is about.

Even at this level, the case against the pose and the character's model is redicuouls. Boys idolize male characters who have unflinching willpower, indomitable spirits, uncompromising values, and unmitigated sucess–virtues which are communicated through physical strength, masculine looks (muscles, strong jaw, etc.), and sex appeal. It's no coincidence that Batman, Superman, Captain America, Flash, Iron Man, Daredevil, Thor and the rest of the lot are all portrayed as ripped athletes with perfect hairlines, lantern jaws, and "impossible" physiques. They represent things to aspire to. Many of which are not attainable.

Note the aesthic difference between good and evil in Batman:

In Superman:

Good: attractive. Bad: ugly.

I am curious. What girl aspires to grow up to be strong, independent...and completely invisible to guys? What aspirational goal is actually being sold by making Tracer more "diverse" as the term is intended here?

Having personally seen the psychological effects of this type of emotional wizardry, it neither fits Blizzard's stated intent nor the interest of girls. Find me a girl who has intelligence, willpower, strong character, and sexual invisibility, and 100% of the time I will show you a girl who questions her self-worth every single day.

The argument is irrational and achieves the opposite of its intent.

Making the character who's supposed to be nice/friendly look like an elongated barbie is contradictory.

This makes no sense. The associative process doesn't even work like that.

You're making your argument based on logic.

A standard that should be brought back into the mainstream.

 

[dirtyferret]

The resolution is simple, hire some female graphic artists and let them design the female toons. In fact I'd let them design the male ones just as well...

 

[davislane1]

The resolution is simple, hire some female graphic artists and let them design the female toons. In fact I'd let them design the male ones just as well...

Wouldn't help. There are already a lot of female GAs who design stuff like this. People still complain.

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

Absolutely. The case against this picture (the origial feeback comment) is purely emotional.

I disagree - it's logical in the sense that it takes away from her character's consistency. All those characters you mention have consistency.. you know who they are, and what they're about. Good = attractive and Bad = ugly right? So you'd agree that an ugly hero wouldn't work very well, then right? (Yes, we have attractive villains, but that's to your other point on aesthetically pleasing.) A sexy Tracer is the equivalent of an ugly hero. It's inconsistent and inconsistent characters suck. Case in point - Phantom Menace - Qui Gon Jinn - a 'mentor' and voice-of-reason who took risks and cheated people. Queen Amidala(?) a leader who's a pushover. The character inconsistencies was one of the reasons that movie was so bad. Nobody liked them.

What aspirational goal is actually being sold by making Tracer more "diverse" as the term is intended here?

Variety. Oh sorry... the right word is 'diversity' nowadays. Games like this have a huge variety of characters, they're not all muscle-bound men heroes. Look at League of Legends... they have a fish, alien, rat, robot, and even a cute gerbil looking thing. Variety. And all with personality.

What girl aspires to grow up to be strong, independent...and completely invisible to guys? What aspirational goal is actually being sold by making Tracer more "diverse" as the term is intended here?

probably plenty, but who am I to speculate what's makes a character attractive to someone. the whole point is that you can't know. So the answer is to make a wide variety of characters that as a whole will have something to appeal to everyone. It's also why Tracer has an accent.

A standard that should be brought back into the mainstream.

Agreed, but this is Earth, not Vulcan.