How it feels to talk about feminism, sexism and representation on the LoL Boards

Long ago, around Diana release I think, there was a thread made that gave the very legit critique that Riot was making too many of the same body type champions. Riot got in on that thread and admitted that, yeah they were doing this and they didn't even notice. They even told us that they were going to actively try to expand the module types for all champions. I am certain had it not been for that and similar threads Bard, Rek'Sai, Zac, and others may not have been made.

But the threads created were not discussions on feminism or sexism or the like. They were about the game and ways to improve the overall experience of the game. Those threads would last page 1, if lucky, then the keyboard warriors would come in and derail the positive discussion and muddy the waters.

This is a Riot game forum for discussions on Riot games. Not a platform for political rhetoric.

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A lot of people come to escape that crap. Who cares if the characters in a video game don't represent real life... it's all fantasy. "omagur she makes me feel bad about my body" (I know I'm reducing the issues but I'll get to my point)

This is a list of strong female characters who I wouldn't call overly sexualized

I wouldn't call any of the characters sexualized... Unless you think breast are sexualized in which case you're the problem. I'll admit, many characters are sexualized but sex does sell.

My list is from overly sexualized characters. The males fit the standards of what women find attractive in a male, and the women do it visa versa. (since you mentioned in game issues I'm using this one since it is the most common argument at any given time)

This game isn't realistic, you have tentacle monsters who fire lasers, and furry satans. Keep real life issues out of the video game... We have to deal with them enough outside of it.

The whole point of fantasy is to create an environment that is generally unrealistic.

Of course this is a pretty pointless argument. Sex sells and as long as it does riot is gonna keep doing what they're doing. It's not like it's keeping you from playing the game. So it really can't be bothering you that much.

You're probably gonna read my points and thrash me for them. I don't particularly care. You can argue that any champ is sexual if you try hard enough.

Another thing, if you don't mention your gender in chat people won't cling to you or treat you differently. Imagine that. There's this amazing thing on the internet called anonymity. If you don't want people to treat you differently, you don't have to tell them shit. You're the one putting yourself into that position. Everyone knows the community is full of teenage boys going through puberty. People also exploit this fact... (you being any individual not specifically op, because lets face it, I don't know your gender) Is it really that hard to keep your identity a secret from complete strangers....? I myself immediately assume all individuals are genderless until told otherwise.

tldr: I'm tired of seeing social issues being brought to the game... goto reddit (I like reddit) they have places to disuss this.

I hope I discussed this properly. You know, because I assume you wanted to have a discussion and not to have someone lay back and agree with you.

"Not sexist" lmao

A lot of people come to escape that crap.

If that were true people wouldn't immediately jump on board the "fuck women and feminism" train every time an art piece they didn't like got released. This has happened literally every time since Quinn even when it makes less sense than usual.

"Fiora is missing her bangs? FUCKING FEMINISM PISSING IN MY CHEERIOS!"

Who cares if the characters in a video game don't represent real life... it's all fantasy.

Because the two are not fundamentally separable. Where do you think all the ideas in this game come from? No one is asking for total realism, but everything in this game and indeed all games on some level has referent within the real world, and by definition has to. It's not simply necessary in order for the creator to even make the content, its necessary in order for the player to understand the content.

Consequently it can't simply be ignored in total even if ones goal is not making a realistic game. It's even common for game designers to switch things within a game to match perceptions of a what a thing is rather than what it actually is, especially with mechanical objects.

This is also why Riot ends up changing things both in visuals and kit in order to make them "readable".

This is a list of strong female characters who I wouldn't call overly sexualized

Annie is not sexualized? I certainly fucking hope she isn't.

The only champions there that aren't sexualized are Poppy and Annie.

I'll admit, many characters are sexualized but sex does sell.

Very debatable. Typically sex in advertising only sells content when the content is specifically related to sex. Otherwise, it more often than not only serves to distract the audience away from whats being advertised.

My list is from overly sexualized characters. The males fit the standards of what women find attractive in a male, and the women do it visa versa.

This argument is fairly common, which is amusing because the same people who use it also tend argue that the games are played overwhelmingly by males and that things in games and made to appeal to males. It then follows that the "sexualized" male champions aren't made for female consumption at all and are at best designed around what men think women want, without regard for whether or not that is the case. Not that their views matter because, again, it's not made for them to begin with. It would then follow that these characters are made for the male audience but for what purpose? Couldn't possibly have to do with a power fantasy.

I hope I discussed this properly.

No, you don't. Your entire post after your commentaries on sexualized content largely serves to try and argue that this discussion is pointless and that it shouldn't be had and that your tired of it and that it doesn't matter. IE, you spend a good portion trying to neutralize the discussion you claim to want to discuss properly.

{quoted} Another thing, if you don't mention your gender in chat people won't cling to you or treat you differently. Imagine that. There's this amazing thing on the internet called anonymity. If you don't want people to treat you differently, you don't have to tell them shit. You're the one putting yourself into that position. Everyone knows the community is full of teenage boys going through puberty. People also exploit this fact... (you being any individual not specifically op, because lets face it, I don't know your gender) Is it really that hard to keep your identity a secret from complete strangers....? I myself immediately assume all individuals are genderless until told otherwise.

People should use anonymity because they want to, not because they have to. I personally like the anonymity very much, so it's not really a problem for me personally, but....

I think I've said this before, but Riot is really quite clean on this compared to a lot of other games and anime. I'll take Leona as an example. She's skinny, and her armor is shaped.... er, you get the idea.... but _she's wearing full armor. _ That's instantly better than so many other games.

Unrealistic beauty standards.

It gets annoying to be told you should look a certain way because video games and anime show it like that. Do you know what that feels like?