@Mintie Why? It’s quite simple, really. Gaming is a form of escapism for me, and when I play specific types of games, I like to immerse myself in that fantasy as a character I can personally identify with. A female lead character breaks that immersion for me.
It’s similar to how most boys would typically choose a male action figure, while girls might prefer a Barbie doll—it’s about identifying with the character you’re engaging with. Gaming, in this sense, isn’t much different for me when it comes to choosing what to play.
It isn't always black and white for me and the type of medium may dictate my decision. I hope this helps explain my perspective.
As for the game itself, I’m sure it’s excellent in terms of gameplay, graphics, and other elements, and I recognise I’ll be missing out on those aspects. However, I’m okay with that decision.
There's plenty out there for me and everyone else to enjoy, than to wast time complaining over something I personally consider as trivial as a game.
The game won't be for me personally, I strictly prefer a male lead character; however, I have nothing against the game itself and I don't understand the hate towards it. If I don't like something, if that something is purely optional in my life, and especially something as unimportant as a game, I simply move on.
Saying that, I hope it turns out good for whoever is looking forward to it.
@jrt87 I understand that everyone experiences games differently, and I respect that for you, controlling a digital character on a screen might not impact immersion in the same way. However, I wouldn’t necessarily call my preference idiosyncratic. Just like some people enjoy certain genres of games, books, or movies because they connect with them on a personal level, others, like myself, feel a stronger connection when the character mirrors something about themselves—whether it’s gender, background, or other traits.
For me, playing as a male character enhances the immersion, especially in story-driven games, and that’s just how I connect with the experience. I know it may not be the same for everyone, but that doesn’t make it less valid. It’s all about how different people find their own form of escapism and connection.
I want to clarify my stance before wrapping up, as it's becoming difficult to track responses here. I don't support negative comments about the game simply because it features a female lead. However, it's important to acknowledge that not wanting to play due to the personal reasons I mentioned earlier is entirely valid. It’s not strange or idiosyncratic just because you find it different —everyone engages with media differently, and personal preference should be respected,
@jrt87 I get what you're saying, and I think there’s a big difference between playing a human character and a fictional creature like a bandicoot. When I play as something like Crash Bandicoot, the immersion isn't based on identifying with him as a human—it’s more about the fun of the platforming, the world, and the challenge. But when it comes to human characters, especially in more story-driven games, I personally feel more immersed when the character is someone I can relate to, particularly from a male perspective.
That said, I get that different people connect to characters in different ways, and for some, it may not matter at all. But for me, being able to visualize myself as the character makes a huge difference in how invested I get in the story and experience.
How anyone can argue about how I'm supposed to feel when playing games is genuinely beyond me. If you enjoy playing as a female led character in the game type I described, more power to you, and I'm happy both some men and women will enjoy a female lead. But I don't, and many others share my reasoning.
@naruball While it's true that companies like Victoria’s Secret shifted their branding for inclusivity and saw a change, that’s a scenario where public pressure and consumer spending directly impacted the company's success.
When it comes to video game companies, the potential gains from "virtue signaling" are more nuanced. Companies, just like any other business, are constantly analyzing demographics and trends, trying to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. Representation—whether in the form of female leads, diverse characters, or more inclusive narratives—is part of attracting and retaining different audiences.
Some might argue that video game companies do this to broaden their appeal to new markets, including female gamers and more progressive players. Others might believe that it's about ensuring the industry isn’t stagnant, stuck only in a traditional male-oriented focus. Whether or not that’s seen as “virtue signaling” depends on perspective, but it's clear that just like other media industries, gaming companies also stand to gain in terms of reputation, audience growth, and media attention by promoting diversity.
So, the gains aren’t necessarily the same as Victoria's Secret, but they do exist. It’s just that in gaming, they might not be as directly tied to sales or product shifts, but more to long-term industry growth and inclusivity.
@naruball The idea of "scoring points" in discussions around diversity or inclusivity in media is more metaphorical than literal, I hoped that was easy to grasp without having to explain it. When people mention that a trend feels like it’s about "scoring points," they’re often referring to the notion of virtue signaling—where companies or creators are seen as making changes to appear progressive or socially aware without a deeper commitment to those values. It’s not about exchanging these "points" for something tangible, but rather gaining social approval, public praise, or favorable attention for being aligned with current trends.
From this perspective, I, and many others believe that diversity or feminist representation in media might sometimes be disingenuous if it seems motivated by public image rather than genuine storytelling or commitment to those values.
Critics of this trend argue that tokenism—the practice of making superficial efforts to include certain groups—is a concern, as it can result in characters or narratives that feel forced rather than organically woven into a story. Conversely, many creators and companies assert that they're making an intentional effort to diversify narratives to better reflect a broad range of experiences and perspectives.
Ultimately, this skepticism stems from a perception that motivations behind some diversity initiatives are driven by the desire to gain social or commercial advantages rather than authentic representation.
While I understand the diverse range of characters in games today, I play for escapism and immersion. When I play a game, especially one with a strong narrative or action-driven experience, I want to visualize myself as the lead character, which for me is a male lead. This connection helps me become fully immersed in the story and the gameplay. However, when I play as a female character, it breaks that sense of immersion for me, making it harder to enjoy the experience in the same way.
This isn't about disliking female characters or having an issue with women in games, but rather about personal preference and how I engage with the medium. Gaming, for me, is a way to project myself into a role, and as a male, I naturally find it easier to connect with male leads.
Additionally, here's the thing, I feel there’s been a noticeable push toward a feminist agenda in many recent games and other forms of entertainment. This trend feels less about genuine diversity or storytelling and more about scoring points or catering to specific trends! With the majority of players on platforms like PlayStation being male, it feels like these shifts are sometimes forced, which takes away from the authenticity of the experience for me.
At the end of the day, gaming is a personal experience, and I prefer to invest in games that align with how I want to engage with stories and characters.
Sure I don't agree with people hating on the game, but equally the people who a mocking those that take my position also need to grow the heck up.
Comments 109
Re: Ubisoft Follows Up with Hype-Inducing Assassin's Creed Shadows PS5 Story Trailer
Looks brilliant, and I hope it does great too, which I'm sure it will if everyone ignores the barking dogs and listen to their own minds instead.
Re: Intergalactic PS5's Toxic Detractors Peddling Patently Fake 'Leaked' Story Details
@Mintie Why? It’s quite simple, really. Gaming is a form of escapism for me, and when I play specific types of games, I like to immerse myself in that fantasy as a character I can personally identify with. A female lead character breaks that immersion for me.
It’s similar to how most boys would typically choose a male action figure, while girls might prefer a Barbie doll—it’s about identifying with the character you’re engaging with. Gaming, in this sense, isn’t much different for me when it comes to choosing what to play.
It isn't always black and white for me and the type of medium may dictate my decision. I hope this helps explain my perspective.
As for the game itself, I’m sure it’s excellent in terms of gameplay, graphics, and other elements, and I recognise I’ll be missing out on those aspects. However, I’m okay with that decision.
There's plenty out there for me and everyone else to enjoy, than to wast time complaining over something I personally consider as trivial as a game.
Edit: I'm sorry to hear about your friend.
Re: Intergalactic PS5's Toxic Detractors Peddling Patently Fake 'Leaked' Story Details
The game won't be for me personally, I strictly prefer a male lead character; however, I have nothing against the game itself and I don't understand the hate towards it. If I don't like something, if that something is purely optional in my life, and especially something as unimportant as a game, I simply move on.
Saying that, I hope it turns out good for whoever is looking forward to it.
Re: PS5's Ghost of Yotei Triggers Social Media, Ex-Sony Exec Says 'If You Don't Like It, Don't Buy It'
@jrt87 I understand that everyone experiences games differently, and I respect that for you, controlling a digital character on a screen might not impact immersion in the same way. However, I wouldn’t necessarily call my preference idiosyncratic. Just like some people enjoy certain genres of games, books, or movies because they connect with them on a personal level, others, like myself, feel a stronger connection when the character mirrors something about themselves—whether it’s gender, background, or other traits.
For me, playing as a male character enhances the immersion, especially in story-driven games, and that’s just how I connect with the experience. I know it may not be the same for everyone, but that doesn’t make it less valid. It’s all about how different people find their own form of escapism and connection.
I want to clarify my stance before wrapping up, as it's becoming difficult to track responses here. I don't support negative comments about the game simply because it features a female lead. However, it's important to acknowledge that not wanting to play due to the personal reasons I mentioned earlier is entirely valid. It’s not strange or idiosyncratic just because you find it different —everyone engages with media differently, and personal preference should be respected,
Re: PS5's Ghost of Yotei Triggers Social Media, Ex-Sony Exec Says 'If You Don't Like It, Don't Buy It'
@pharos_haven I'm not sure I understand you, sorry. I don't do to well with sarcasm unfortunately
Re: PS5's Ghost of Yotei Triggers Social Media, Ex-Sony Exec Says 'If You Don't Like It, Don't Buy It'
@jrt87 I get what you're saying, and I think there’s a big difference between playing a human character and a fictional creature like a bandicoot. When I play as something like Crash Bandicoot, the immersion isn't based on identifying with him as a human—it’s more about the fun of the platforming, the world, and the challenge. But when it comes to human characters, especially in more story-driven games, I personally feel more immersed when the character is someone I can relate to, particularly from a male perspective.
That said, I get that different people connect to characters in different ways, and for some, it may not matter at all. But for me, being able to visualize myself as the character makes a huge difference in how invested I get in the story and experience.
How anyone can argue about how I'm supposed to feel when playing games is genuinely beyond me. If you enjoy playing as a female led character in the game type I described, more power to you, and I'm happy both some men and women will enjoy a female lead. But I don't, and many others share my reasoning.
Re: PS5's Ghost of Yotei Triggers Social Media, Ex-Sony Exec Says 'If You Don't Like It, Don't Buy It'
@naruball While it's true that companies like Victoria’s Secret shifted their branding for inclusivity and saw a change, that’s a scenario where public pressure and consumer spending directly impacted the company's success.
When it comes to video game companies, the potential gains from "virtue signaling" are more nuanced. Companies, just like any other business, are constantly analyzing demographics and trends, trying to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. Representation—whether in the form of female leads, diverse characters, or more inclusive narratives—is part of attracting and retaining different audiences.
Some might argue that video game companies do this to broaden their appeal to new markets, including female gamers and more progressive players. Others might believe that it's about ensuring the industry isn’t stagnant, stuck only in a traditional male-oriented focus. Whether or not that’s seen as “virtue signaling” depends on perspective, but it's clear that just like other media industries, gaming companies also stand to gain in terms of reputation, audience growth, and media attention by promoting diversity.
So, the gains aren’t necessarily the same as Victoria's Secret, but they do exist. It’s just that in gaming, they might not be as directly tied to sales or product shifts, but more to long-term industry growth and inclusivity.
Re: PS5's Ghost of Yotei Triggers Social Media, Ex-Sony Exec Says 'If You Don't Like It, Don't Buy It'
@naruball
The idea of "scoring points" in discussions around diversity or inclusivity in media is more metaphorical than literal, I hoped that was easy to grasp without having to explain it. When people mention that a trend feels like it’s about "scoring points," they’re often referring to the notion of virtue signaling—where companies or creators are seen as making changes to appear progressive or socially aware without a deeper commitment to those values. It’s not about exchanging these "points" for something tangible, but rather gaining social approval, public praise, or favorable attention for being aligned with current trends.
From this perspective, I, and many others believe that diversity or feminist representation in media might sometimes be disingenuous if it seems motivated by public image rather than genuine storytelling or commitment to those values.
Critics of this trend argue that tokenism—the practice of making superficial efforts to include certain groups—is a concern, as it can result in characters or narratives that feel forced rather than organically woven into a story. Conversely, many creators and companies assert that they're making an intentional effort to diversify narratives to better reflect a broad range of experiences and perspectives.
Ultimately, this skepticism stems from a perception that motivations behind some diversity initiatives are driven by the desire to gain social or commercial advantages rather than authentic representation.
So, my point still stands.
Re: PS5's Ghost of Yotei Triggers Social Media, Ex-Sony Exec Says 'If You Don't Like It, Don't Buy It'
Some of the comments here are insane..
While I understand the diverse range of characters in games today, I play for escapism and immersion. When I play a game, especially one with a strong narrative or action-driven experience, I want to visualize myself as the lead character, which for me is a male lead. This connection helps me become fully immersed in the story and the gameplay. However, when I play as a female character, it breaks that sense of immersion for me, making it harder to enjoy the experience in the same way.
This isn't about disliking female characters or having an issue with women in games, but rather about personal preference and how I engage with the medium. Gaming, for me, is a way to project myself into a role, and as a male, I naturally find it easier to connect with male leads.
Additionally, here's the thing, I feel there’s been a noticeable push toward a feminist agenda in many recent games and other forms of entertainment. This trend feels less about genuine diversity or storytelling and more about scoring points or catering to specific trends! With the majority of players on platforms like PlayStation being male, it feels like these shifts are sometimes forced, which takes away from the authenticity of the experience for me.
At the end of the day, gaming is a personal experience, and I prefer to invest in games that align with how I want to engage with stories and characters.
Sure I don't agree with people hating on the game, but equally the people who a mocking those that take my position also need to grow the heck up.