i want to be a female, but wait, can i?

In our tutorials, we were split off into groups to come up with a new game idea which does not follow the typical ‘damsel in distress’ theme. We came up with a game which can be single player or multi player. The theme would be an adventure fantasy, where the objective is to seek revenge after the death of their parents. The game is set up where the avatar can be a selection of the players choice, either male or female. Like Colby et al (2013) stated, ‘Avatars act both as figurative representations of the audience and as literal functions of the game’s program’ (Colby et al 2013, p.35). So we needed to provide choice for the players to cater for all types of audiences. Raessens (2005) domains of participation were relevant in the process of game planning. The first point to consider was ‘interpretation’. We wanted the audience to have the same interpretation of the game’s objectives and themes, so we kept it simple to make it easier to understand. The interpretation we intended was that the game was about the character seeking revenge from the murder of their parents. The next point to consider was reconfiguration. Reconfiguration is where the player is ‘making strategic choices about alternative paths and, in the case of adventure games, alternative actions’ (Raessens 2005, p.380). Since our game is solely about revenge, we did not consider the option of having alternate pathways to take because the objective at the end is to seek the revenge. So to have alternate pathways could be potentially problematic. The last point to consider was ‘construction’. Construction is understood as ‘the addition of new game elements’ (Raessens 2005, p.381). So basically, the player can hack and add elements into the game as they please. Our group did not consider this at all. I personally think that it is a negative thing on many levels. Not only does it take away the game’s creator’s original ideas, but since our game is a game about revenge, problems of extreme violence could arise. Personally, when I play a game, I don’t ever think about changing adding my own elements. I am focused on defeating all the objectives already existing in the game. Also, having the ability to choose the gender of my avatar makes me feel like I have more control of my playing experience. I have many games at home that I can choose the sex of my avatar. Games such as Medal of Honour, the Sims, and Pokemon allow me to be just as powerful, even more powerful than a male character. Being able to have the choice would appeal to many female gamers and could possibly increase the number of female gamers. Come on ladies, lets join in!

Colby et al 2013, ‘Rhetoric/ Composition/Play through Video Games: Reshaping Theory and Practice of Writing, Palgrave Macmillan, retrieved 10 September 2013, http://reader.eblib.com.au.ezproxy-m.deakin.edu.au/(S(kcn3njgf5ojncplhldw4s5i0))/Reader.aspx?p=1161372&o=154&u=Y6MUu2SE1v4X3uAKK2QSQA%3d%3d&t=1378803785&h=66DBE4D2B5FF8A67BB9A4E4D7AEA12E434678BDF&s=9929041&ut=484&pg=1&r=img&c=-1&pat=n

Raessens, J 2005, 'Computer games as participatory media culture' in Raessen, J & Goldstein, J, Handbook  of computer game studies, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass, pp. 373-388.

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