Video Games Against the Male Gaze

Abstract

Video games are a medium that creates content often based on male gaze, allowing heteronormative and patriarchal portrayals that limit the representation of social minorities. In this article, we will study how video games counter the male gaze through realistic, diverse, and in-depth portrayals of their main characters. The case studies will be the characters Chloe Price from Life is Strange: Before the Storm (2017) by Deck Nine, Ellie and Abby from The Last of Us Part II (2020) by Naughty Dog, and Billie Lurk from Dishonored: Death of the Outsider (2017) by Arkane Studios. These video games feature strong female main characters who go against social norms and represent a diversity of sexuality, bodies, and cultures. Through this article, we intend to understand how these video games, which belong to series for a mass audience, are a step towards a commonplace of acceptance, accessibility, and awareness.

Keywords

• Gaze
• Representation
• Stereotypes
• Violence
• Video games