I got an Xbox One recently, and I was reading up a little the Tomb Raider franchise, since I downloaded Rise of the Tomb Raider and was enjoying it so far. Wouldn’t you know? I guess I’m not supposed to enjoy it as much as I am because some folks finds it problematic.
Problematic*. Very problematic. I was aware of GamerGate (or #GamerGate?), but not of the extent of whatever it was that set it off or its aftershocks and sidebar movements.
One of the great horrors in life, aside from obvious things like being poisoned or stabbed through the neck, is being lectured on what I can and can’t do (or enjoy, or think), by someone I don’t even know—and by someone who knows me even less. Sarkeesian is great at giving reasons why games are problematic to some people, but she doesn’t convince me why I should give a damn. That’s probably problematic (probablymatic?) for her, because I’m going on record right here as not giving a damn.
So, what now? I don’t mean that in the “come at me, bro” context, but, logically, to what other place should an argument like Sarkeesian’s go? Short of using force, there’s not much a do-gooder can do to convince me I should rethink my enjoyment choices. Not that it matters, since preferences are subrational; aside from weighing options, we don’t “think through” things to decide what we like. We like or dislike things in a hierarchy, automatically. It just sort of ends up that way. Being more obnoxious about the results is going to persuade me in the opposite direction.
I don’t know if Sarkeesian really wants what she really wants…or at least part of what she wants. Anyone, male or female, in the affluent world right now can, by nature of how video games are, have compelete control over what their probably-male PC (player character) is doing. If Sarkeesian gets her way, she is basically letting all the nerdy neckbeards have absolute control over more females’ in-game fate. She is vying for men to have control over more female’s autonomy. I guess, if we’re talking about Lara Croft or someone similar, isn’t a bad thing for me, necessarily, since I’d get more of her Parkour-sculpted physique. I won’t complain.
* I had the link to a story, I think on Kotaku, about one of the promotional images for Rise of the Tomb Raider showed Lara Croft in a “position of power” because she was holding a gun to a male NPC (non-player character). I couldn’t re-find the link, but I honestly wouldn’t have included it because the site never stopped loading and had ads everywhere. I’m beginning to dislike putting any readers through that, especially without a warning. But I found the “position of power” observation curious. Holding a gun to someone is powerful, yes, but it’s barely an accomplishment. Any toddler with basic motor skills could do it. I’d hardly think it’s an indicator of the required competence to use it, unless toddlers have suddenly become great marksmen.
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I wonder how many ways we have to keep telling the SJWs: MYOB. It’s like that blank stare I gave junior high school students who complained of something that could not possibly matter, and was simply not going to change on any terms. Following the tantrum I simply repeated the instructions and went on with the class.
You are stronger than I am. After the student finished, I would say, “…And?”. And then I’d continue. Not acknowledging someone’s immaturity isn’t found in my code but sometimes it’s the best course.
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