A survey of League of Legends skins and classes based on gender.

musteat·Jan 8, 2015·6 votes·3,526 views

A Survey of League of Legends Champions from a Gendered Perspective

This is a bit old, but regardless "The following is a statistical analysis of the League of Legends Champion’s character design from a gendered perspective. In this analysis data was collected directly from the champion profiles listed on leagueoflegends.com/champions. Data is valid as of Aug 6 2014, where I surveyed 119 champions, each having between 3-10 alternative skins."

I think it's cool to see the new champs like Rek'Sai deviate from the trend.

23 Comments

ValyrianBladeJan 8, 20156 votes

It's kind of cool but really was done in a completely biased manner in order to achieve her desired results.

I mean, Firstly, a champion scored 0 or 1 on chests/stomach showing, 1 if anything showed on any skin, 0 only if all skins were bare. No wonder all but 2 female champions scored 1 in at least 1 category. If she counted by percentage of skins showing something it would be much different, e.g. If 2 of 5 skins including the default had a bare stomach showing the navel, it would score 0.4. It's ridiculous to score tristana the same on chest as miss fortune because of the "rocket girl skin having cleavage". I say this because it ties in to my next point - how she defined chest/stomach. A female character counted if she showed her navel for stomach and any part (top/side) of her breasts for chest. Meanwhile a male counted the same for stomach and chests were only if bare or if a deep v-neck.

I'm sorry, but I'd have to argue with her definition of chest. Firstly in that many female champions in skins where they could go to a church in that outfit without complaint were scored for chest - for example caitlyn's default skin (I admit this skin REALLY shows off legs, but nothing is wrong with her chest coverage, at least in my opinion). She's trying to be objective and counts if anything is not covered, but that's sort of impractical - it's typical for there to be some top-visibility. I'd have thought a better metric to be if they were busty, for example jinx really isn't covered much but also she has next to nothing to cover anyways...

Coming to men, women often sexualize men with clothing ON. E.g. The oft mentioned "a suit on a man is often to women what a woman in lingerie is to men.". There are almost definitely male skins which offer some sort of masculine sexual vision without baring chest or stomach, and these are blatantly ignored. I don't think any woman wants to see a male champion wearing something which covers his nipples while baring his stomach. There simply isn't male attire that would bare the stomach apart from going full shirtless (something which appears on graves as mentioned but clearly doesn't appear on any female champions for some reason? ? :p).

My point is simply that if you change the metric, the result changes. If you change it to full upper body nudity, we have 1 male champion minimum and 0 female. So you would argue that league sexualized men more.

FerelwingJan 30, 20151 votes

{quoted}

It's kind of cool but really was done in a completely biased manner in order to achieve her desired results.

I mean, Firstly, a champion scored 0 or 1 on chests/stomach showing, 1 if anything showed on any skin, 0 only if all skins were bare. No wonder all but 2 female champions scored 1 in at least 1 category. If she counted by percentage of skins showing something it would be much different, e.g. If 2 of 5 skins including the default had a bare stomach showing the navel, it would score 0.4. It's ridiculous to score tristana the same on chest as miss fortune because of the "rocket girl skin having cleavage". I say this because it ties in to my next point - how she defined chest/stomach. A female character counted if she showed her navel for stomach and any part (top/side) of her breasts for chest. Meanwhile a male counted the same for stomach and chests were only if bare or if a deep v-neck.

I'm sorry, but I'd have to argue with her definition of chest. Firstly in that many female champions in skins where they could go to a church in that outfit without complaint were scored for chest - for example caitlyn's default skin (I admit this skin REALLY shows off legs, but nothing is wrong with her chest coverage, at least in my opinion). She's trying to be objective and counts if anything is not covered, but that's sort of impractical - it's typical for there to be some top-visibility. I'd have thought a better metric to be if they were busty, for example jinx really isn't covered much but also she has next to nothing to cover anyways...

Coming to men, women often sexualize men with clothing ON. E.g. The oft mentioned "a suit on a man is often to women what a woman in lingerie is to men.". There are almost definitely male skins which offer some sort of masculine sexual vision without baring chest or stomach, and these are blatantly ignored. I don't think any woman wants to see a male champion wearing something which covers his nipples while baring his stomach. There simply isn't male attire that would bare the stomach apart from going full shirtless (something which appears on graves as mentioned but clearly doesn't appear on any female champions for some reason? ? :p).

My point is simply that if you change the metric, the result changes. If you change it to full upper body nudity, we have 1 male champion minimum and 0 female. So you would argue that league sexualized men more.

I agree about the Caitlyn skin to a degree, but I also agree with the original point she's trying to make. There are quite a few characters I'm uncomfortable playing. As a female because I feel they are overly sexualized and I don't want someone to find out I'm a girl and then immediately assume I "like" that look. I don't in fact. I may like the champion but some of the skins outright annoy me. The Caitlyn skin is a "call back" to those of us who like Steampunk and it's a typical representation of different people who play around in the Steampunk genre. At the same time if this were Victorian England she'd be considered risque and wouldn't be welcome in society. As to the other shots, have you ever tried to take the images that they place together and then blow them up into real people? They are unrealistic and they portray an unrealistic view of how people should look. With the male models there's a lot less of that. I also agree with you on Jinx, she's not busty and that's probably why she's one of my favorite characters. However, she's in the minority. The majority of the characters busts are so large that they'd need a chiropractor because it would lead to back pain. They wouldn't be doing the "fancy moves" you see in the game because their chests would smack them in the face and possibly knock them unconscious. They are too large for the type of "work" they are supposed to be doing. Also, the majority of them look like they have implants which again goes back to... Who is drawing this? Most girls I know, don't draw girls like that. They take into account what they are doing and know all too well the "pain" from the girls with the larger chests and how difficult it is for them to run/etc due to the amount of weight bouncing around. News flash: chests weigh something and the larger they are the heavier they are and the more they hurt. The skimpy outfits they show them in would not contain that weight and would lead to the chest falling out of place or bouncing around so much they'd be unable to do any of the things they show them doing. The "unrealistic" expectations and the amount of discomfort it causes to those of us who actually know, it makes us cringe. Hence the reason I am uncomfortable with many of the skins. I still buy some of them and I have been random gifted some that I absolutely dislike. I do not like the "fetish" skins at all. If you want to give someone a Halloween costume could you please come up with something that isn't a call back to the "Playboy bunny"? Or other such things?

Unless of course the true reason is that once again people don't realize just how many girls actually game.

VbunnieJan 30, 20152 votes

{quoted}

I agree about the Caitlyn skin to a degree, but I also agree with the original point she's trying to make. There are quite a few characters I'm uncomfortable playing. As a female because I feel they are overly sexualized and I don't want someone to find out I'm a girl and then immediately assume I "like" that look. I don't in fact. I may like the champion but some of the skins outright annoy me. The Caitlyn skin is a "call back" to those of us who like Steampunk and it's a typical representation of different people who play around in the Steampunk genre. At the same time if this were Victorian England she'd be considered risque and wouldn't be welcome in society. As to the other shots, have you ever tried to take the images that they place together and then blow them up into real people? They are unrealistic and they portray an unrealistic view of how people should look. With the male models there's a lot less of that. I also agree with you on Jinx, she's not busty and that's probably why she's one of my favorite characters. However, she's in the minority. The majority of the characters busts are so large that they'd need a chiropractor because it would lead to back pain. They wouldn't be doing the "fancy moves" you see in the game because their chests would smack them in the face and possibly knock them unconscious. They are too large for the type of "work" they are supposed to be doing. Also, the majority of them look like they have implants which again goes back to... Who is drawing this? Most girls I know, don't draw girls like that. They take into account what they are doing and know all too well the "pain" from the girls with the larger chests and how difficult it is for them to run/etc due to the amount of weight bouncing around. News flash: chests weigh something and the larger they are the heavier they are and the more they hurt. The skimpy outfits they show them in would not contain that weight and would lead to the chest falling out of place or bouncing around so much they'd be unable to do any of the things they show them doing. The "unrealistic" expectations and the amount of discomfort it causes to those of us who actually know, it makes us cringe. Hence the reason I am uncomfortable with many of the skins. I still buy some of them and I have been random gifted some that I absolutely dislike. I do not like the "fetish" skins at all. If you want to give someone a Halloween costume could you please come up with something that isn't a call back to the "Playboy bunny"? Or other such things?

Unless of course the true reason is that once again people don't realize just how many girls actually game.

Yes this is a fantasy game. Things are not supposed to be the same way they are in real life. Tops that show cleavage are fairly common even in common womens apparrel today. the proportion of men to women who play league of legends is fairly high. Riot is simply catering to the majority here because honestly what guy is going to want to by a victorian erra dressed female. The numbers are fairly low unless they look really really good. Most female characters are ranged and therefore they do not have to have the same armor as men who are mainly melee. Death is common in league of legends and if you take into account stats and such those women who have the skimpier dresses typically die more (because they are more exposed/because they have lower health and armor stats). Just because you do not look like these women does not mean that there are not people who do look like these women. Victoria's secret for example is loved by women and men alike but also does not promote proper health and such during their fashion shows. Understand that boob implants are fairly common now adays and just because you do not have them does not mean someone else does not and just because you do not like that look does not mean others do not. Unobtainable demands are broadcast throughout society so as to cause people to strive to do more and want to do more. With women it is their looks because with good looks you as a woman you can get whatever you want and that is what men want and with men it is how much money they make and how well they can provide for their woman also how long and well they can perform sexually. That is what pushes people to do more and what makes this country what it is today. these types of things cater to the majority of people but those who are wise enough to open their minds and not fall into this trend tend to either become bums die at a young age or have some other form of tragedy occur to them or they get married and no longer persue change. Some of these people make it but it is very far and few between. Just stating that you feel uncomfortable about playing certain champions because of the way you look not only proves that you are uncomfortable with your self image but it also shows that they have already gotten to you.

FerelwingFeb 3, 20151 votes

{quoted}

Yes this is a fantasy game. Things are not supposed to be the same way they are in real life. Tops that show cleavage are fairly common even in common womens apparrel today. the proportion of men to women who play league of legends is fairly high. Riot is simply catering to the majority here because honestly what guy is going to want to by a victorian erra dressed female. The numbers are fairly low unless they look really really good. Most female characters are ranged and therefore they do not have to have the same armor as men who are mainly melee. Death is common in league of legends and if you take into account stats and such those women who have the skimpier dresses typically die more (because they are more exposed/because they have lower health and armor stats). Just because you do not look like these women does not mean that there are not people who do look like these women. Victoria's secret for example is loved by women and men alike but also does not promote proper health and such during their fashion shows. Understand that boob implants are fairly common now adays and just because you do not have them does not mean someone else does not and just because you do not like that look does not mean others do not. Unobtainable demands are broadcast throughout society so as to cause people to strive to do more and want to do more. With women it is their looks because with good looks you as a woman you can get whatever you want and that is what men want and with men it is how much money they make and how well they can provide for their woman also how long and well they can perform sexually. That is what pushes people to do more and what makes this country what it is today. these types of things cater to the majority of people but those who are wise enough to open their minds and not fall into this trend tend to either become bums die at a young age or have some other form of tragedy occur to them or they get married and no longer persue change. Some of these people make it but it is very far and few between. Just stating that you feel uncomfortable about playing certain champions because of the way you look not only proves that you are uncomfortable with your self image but it also shows that they have already gotten to you.

..... You're completely taking what I said and not paying attention. There are lots of things wrong with "pop" culture and yes it is bad to keep pressuring people to follow unrealistic standards and yes I get it's a game at the same time pretending that this is "fine" is wrong. As a people we are better than this. It also doesn't make very good business sense to continue to make things that objectify women when the majority of people on this planet actually are female. At some point you have to drop it.

... I don't like the way they are sexualized, that's a personal thing as a woman and as a parent.

VbunnieFeb 3, 20151 votes

{quoted}

..... You're completely taking what I said and not paying attention. There are lots of things wrong with "pop" culture and yes it is bad to keep pressuring people to follow unrealistic standards and yes I get it's a game at the same time pretending that this is "fine" is wrong. As a people we are better than this. It also doesn't make very good business sense to continue to make things that objectify women when the majority of people on this planet actually are female. At some point you have to drop it.

... I don't like the way they are sexualized, that's a personal thing as a woman and as a parent.

I too am a parent and I agree that it is a bit too much. lately changes have been made and champs like jinx have come out and it isnt as sexual...it is just catering to the fact that mostly males play the game

Oliver The FiendJan 30, 20154 votes

If a woman is comfortable running around in a short skirt and her cleavage hanging out on the battlefield then I think she is confident in herself. She doesn't care about the way people would look at her as it's likely part of a strategy anyway.

Besides, it's just skin. We all know what humans look like naked, it's not a big deal.

FerelwingJan 30, 20151 votes

[{quoted}](name=Oliver The Fiend,realm=NA,application-id=A8FQeEA8,discussion-id=J9EENLa5,comment-id=0002,timestamp=2015-01-30T18:29:47.804+0000)

If a woman is comfortable running around in a short skirt and her cleavage hanging out on the battlefield then I think she is confident in herself. She doesn't care about the way people would look at her as it's likely part of a strategy anyway.

Besides, it's just skin. We all know what humans look like naked, it's not a big deal.

It also means she's probably dead and if she has a chest that big? She's not going to be doing much battling because that chest will knock her out. Am guessing by name you are a guy, which means you have zero experience with this. As a girl, trust me it's possible, I've seen someone do it while running. If the bra/whatever isn't holding them in place tight enough then she's not going to be doing much at all with a chest that big. If it's too tight she gets the "fun" of passing out. Chests aren't an accessory they get in the way and can cause serious medical conditions (back strains etc). You generally don't get a choice in the size (you can get implants and reductions if you have money). So it is unrealistic to show the majority of women on the rift as "having large chests" since in general the majority of women do not and the majority of women who go into fields that would be similar to what they are showing? They do not have large chests, in fact having them would give them a handicap.

Also, in a battle/war showing your chest offers you zero protection and if you are an actual threat it gives lots of "weak points" to get yourself killed.

I understand that this is "just a game" but when they are starting to show a growing majority of gamers turning out to actually be female? You'd think that someone would pay attention to actual female anatomy instead of constantly showing a sexualized and unrealistic version. Unless of course they plan on making battle-bunny Trendymere at some point I think perhaps people need to start thinking more realistically. If a guy wouldn't wear it in battle? Why on earth would you think a girl would?

makkiiJan 30, 20152 votes

{quoted}

I understand that this is "just a game" but when they are starting to show a growing majority of gamers turning out to actually be female? You'd think that someone would pay attention to actual female anatomy instead of constantly showing a sexualized and unrealistic version. Unless of course they plan on making battle-bunny Trendymere at some point I think perhaps people need to start thinking more realistically. If a guy wouldn't wear it in battle? Why on earth would you think a girl would?

it is estimated that 48-56% of gamers are women yes, but when it comes to traditional games, the kind of games that a "gamer" plays, its actually a 70/30 split in favor of males, the mobile game market and traditional games market are two very separate distinct identities, that being said it makes more sense to cater to males or the male fantasy.

that means strong male characters, the kind that are very capable of protecting women > primal nature, it is in mens nature to want to protect women, and it is in women's nature to seek out powerful men capable of protecting them.

and attractive female character's> primal nature as what we as men deem attractive is very closely tied to what good traits a mother would have for rearing children and also good traits that would pass on to offspring.

im sure you understand, its just business.

FerelwingFeb 3, 20151 votes

{quoted}

it is estimated that 48-56% of gamers are women yes, but when it comes to traditional games, the kind of games that a "gamer" plays, its actually a 70/30 split in favor of males, the mobile game market and traditional games market are two very separate distinct identities, that being said it makes more sense to cater to males or the male fantasy.

that means strong male characters, the kind that are very capable of protecting women > primal nature, it is in mens nature to want to protect women, and it is in women's nature to seek out powerful men capable of protecting them.

and attractive female character's> primal nature as what we as men deem attractive is very closely tied to what good traits a mother would have for rearing children and also good traits that would pass on to offspring.

im sure you understand, its just business.

I completely disagree, catering to the "male fantasy" is ridiculous and something that people have been doing "forever".

FerelwingFeb 3, 20151 votes

{quoted}

it is estimated that 48-56% of gamers are women yes, but when it comes to traditional games, the kind of games that a "gamer" plays, its actually a 70/30 split in favor of males, the mobile game market and traditional games market are two very separate distinct identities, that being said it makes more sense to cater to males or the male fantasy.

that means strong male characters, the kind that are very capable of protecting women > primal nature, it is in mens nature to want to protect women, and it is in women's nature to seek out powerful men capable of protecting them.

and attractive female character's> primal nature as what we as men deem attractive is very closely tied to what good traits a mother would have for rearing children and also good traits that would pass on to offspring.

im sure you understand, its just business.

.... Try and rethink that for a second... If you're in the business of making money then it pays to remember that the majority of the population on this planet is actually female.

makkiiFeb 3, 20151 votes

{quoted}

.... Try and rethink that for a second... If you're in the business of making money then it pays to remember that the majority of the population on this planet is actually female.

if you're in the business of making money you'd do well to realize that target demographics exist for a reason and skewing that 50/50 usually only serves to alienate all parties involved, men and women on average, are simply into different things, just because a majority of people on the planet are female does not mean a game particular to the hardcore gaming scene which is OVERWHELMINGLY male should cater to women, that's just asking to lose money.

makkiiJan 30, 20153 votes

on an entirely serious note there are some things that are seriously wrong with that article/survey

how we like to depict males and females in media, to me is intrinsically linked to what we are attracted to, men depict women in media as sexy, because when men look at women they look for attractiveness first and foremost, because what we find as attractive is linked to what we instinctively assume are good traits for a mother/bearer of our offspring. women on the other hand look for a protector, someone strong, who can provide for her and her offspring and protect her from harm, this is our primal nature, and I don't see anything wrong with us being depicted as our ideal selves in video games.
she has some big misconceptions about fitness, and it doesn't help her piece look any less opinionated. first of all, you don't need to work out 2 hours a day to look like graves, on the contrary, you want to get in the gym, stimulate your muscle and get out, spending too much time in the gym is calories your burning up that you could be using to build mass. as for the women, "eating less than your body needs" no that's wrong, its eating a healthy diet at a slight caloric deficit to force the body to use the stored energy (fat) to function, eating less than your body "needs" means you are starving and if you're starving, youll just panic your body into storing more fat the next time you eat. getting a toned slim physique isn't acquired by doing 2 hours of cardio a day, that burns muscle too, and will make you skinny fat, the way you get physiques like league females(although some do have slimmer than usually possible waists admittedly) to get toned bodies is through part cardio and part high intensity weight lifting aka lifting heavy shit. I would consider that a healthy way to live.
objectification, these are fictional characters, male or female, they ARE objects, why does it matter in which way they are objectified? I don't think anyone looks at Caitlyn and is like, "I totally don't take this character seriously", I think they think, "ima play Caitlyn cause I like playing Caitlyn", or "ima play Caitlyn cus shes fotm this month." who plays a moba character because they are sexy? I mean cmon, and it doesn't matter even if someone does.
the writer needs to get her social justice and patriarchy theory the hell out of league of legends.

BoulderoxJan 30, 20152 votes

i really want to laugh at this, look at the past champions specifically female that were released (newest to oldest)

RekSai Do i even need to say anything here? she is a female void monster, 0 steriotypes

Kalista very covered, no real need to say anything here

Jinx Her base skin is a tad underdressed, but everything is covered, and double d's aren't found on her, the other skins she has (including the new one) covers her well.

Lissandra Once again , decently covered, her 2 other skins have a side hip and some clevage, but thats nothing too bad imo.

Quinn The apitimy of Armored female imo, seconded by Poppy Kayle . Oh no a toned stomach, what ever will i do.

Still has a lot more coverage than you think. Her skins are well covered, even her cop one is ok in a sense, very little chest is shown in the splash.

There 6 of the recent FEMALE champs. Do they all suffer from the steriotypres? NO THEY DO NOT very few steriotypes are here. A lot of this is going of previous hadfuls of characters that are meant to be the way they are.

MarciaJan 31, 20152 votes

Riot has become a lot better with their approach towards female champions, at least in my opinion. I think the article has made some good points concerning the depictions of women compared to men, but there's also other factors to keep in mind. A lot of the earlier female champions may be sexualized, but many of the newer ones aren't (at least not nearly to the same degree as older ones)! I think it's okay to have some "sexy" humanoid female champions, but variety is something that should and has been welcomed! I think we'll definitely see more champions like that! :)

I do like the point brought up in the article concerning the distribution of gender amongst roles. A lot of the female champions are some variation of mage or support, so seeing some more variety in that area would be cool to see! I'd love to see a new female tank, personally.

Betty le BoopFeb 3, 20152 votes

Honestly? Kayle wasn't even known to be female ofr like the first year she was out, unless someone read her lore. They came out with "Unmasked" and they were like.. Oh! Kayle's a female, I can see that name being unisex. Diana and Leona don't show anything really. Nor does Soraka. Irelia. Ect so on. And so what if the skins are 'perverted'? They were made for people who wanted those skins. We have a character skin idea area just for that reason. Honestly, if you want to see them covered up, come up with skin ideas that people will like. I am not male, but I adore all of the skins you seem to have issues with. And honestly, in EVERY fighting game ever made, except Dead or Alive female only games, (Like Extreme Beach Volleyball) the men outweigh the women. It's culture. Men are supposed to be the ones to protect women. When you are scared as a child, who do you run to naturally? Daddy. It's also because the male gamers outweigh the female gamers. Men have been gaming far longer than women have. The women who do game, either don't care about how 'slutty' the armor or body gear is, or they pay too much attention to it and call the game designers sexist. My favorite character was Ivy. She is nothing more than an op female, wearing like.. no clothes. I loved all of it. As women, we also objectify men. We may not think we do... But let's be honest... What do you want your guy to look like? We want him to look handsome, maybe some scruff on his face, muscles, either dressed up, or dressed down, he can't just waltz about in a t-shirt and jeans, that's not good enough for us. I've even heard some female leaguers comment, "I'd @#$% Pool Party Graves.." So... Whom is the one to blame? Asking me.... No one. But really, the second he shows a bit of skin, all the women were like omg yasssss...