Simplest solution: remove the discussion, put in the playable women.
It’s always odd to see the argument of “but if i dont write like this i cant make a sociopolitical statement”
Whut?
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By that logic the author should remove anything in the story that doesn’t allow for the player to be whatever they want. Why must I be a noble? Why can’t I be a peasant?
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Logical fallacy here.
Your example is going with whats part of the story meant to tell.
The other is what meta-stuff the author wants in.
It’s a difference.
Not really. It’s essentially the same principle, that there being a setting in which being x doesn’t work. Maybe a better example would be the Guinevere WIP. In that game I have to play as a female. Is there any particular reason why that shouldn’t be?
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That’s exactly how I feel if I am playing a game without gender lock. I never like playing an overly privileged character I’d rather work my way up. Gender lock noble had me hesitate on the infinity series. But it was extremely well written. Plus I could subverted societal norms in other ways. I just generally enjoy playing a lesbian. In every game. I only really get pushed if I’m railroaded. Then it takes out the O in CYOA
In fact, nope. But again: look how many male genderlocked games use one of the following reasonings:
- It’s historically accurate (game has magic though)
- I can’t imagine a female mc. (Well, you can imagine a wizard…)
- If you could play as woman this scene about gender equality would not work anymore. (Well… then scratch that scene?)
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So the only problem is the reasoning they use? Seems rather nit picky then, to complain about gender locked games.
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Naw, the reason is the reasoning used boils down to ‘women are less, women are uninteresting’ if you get down to it.
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I disagree. Interactive novels are ultimately artistic expression. You mentioned to scrap a scene if it doesn’t quite work as gender neutral. Well, frankly, that seems to be quite an unnecessary limitation on the artist’s vision.
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Again. Pray tell why this logic is only applied when someone asks to play as something else than cis male?
Can’t speak for others. I provided an example of having to play as a female so I don’t get why you’re asking me that. I just don’t see why people feel the need to complain if a story is gender locked.
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Imagining that in Lord’s of infinity you’re either a normal male Lord whose went through hell or secretly a woman whose been feigning at being a man due to her father having no sons and felt the need to cover it up. (All 100% not going to happen and isn’t even reasonable head Canon) got me thinking has there been a game where you are a guy or a woman pretending to be a guy based on player’s choice? Could add some interesting subplot of avoiding discovery and relationships.
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Woooooow.
ONE whole example.
In a thread asking why there are dozens of male-genderlocks.
Amazing.
Yes yes it’s so horrible that there are games where you have to play as a dude. But to what you asked me, if someone were complaining about having to play as a chick my position would be the same. I’m not going to defend arguments I haven’t made.
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It’s not horrible to have gender locked games but it’d be nice for some equality in female locked games. Can we not turn this into a fight?
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Yeah, it totally horrible… except it isnt. It’s horrible that a male protag is viewed as the norm.
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I apologize for getting heated. And I agree, it’d be perfectly fine for there to be female locked games.
Look at us ryuu… agreeing while talking past each other.
We’re comedy gold, aren’t we…
In other gaming mediums, you have a point. Male protagonists are considered the norm and I agree that it’d be good if that changed. But on CoC male protagonists aren’t the norm. Being able to choose is the norm.
On a side note, I apologize if I’m coming off as combatative or rude. I got off work not too long ago and I don’t mean to take out my stress on you here.
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The Infinity series is not a good series to keep referencing. There already is a soldier who is passing as a male in the canon and this soldier has been talked about before in the series’ thread, so I suggest looking for those posts.
So, when you say things like: "All 100% not going to happen and isn’t even reasonable headcanon, it just proves that this discussion is off and shouldn’t even be going where it is.
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