Damsel in Distress: Part 3 - Tropes vs Women in Video Games

This is the third installment in our three-part mini-series exploring the Damsel in Distress trope in video games. In this episode, we examine the rare Dude in Distress role reversal and then take a look at the use of "ironic sexism" in retro-inspired indie and mobile games. We conclude with an investigation of some titles that attempt to subvert or deconstruct the traditional damsel narrative.
Watch Damsel in Distress Part 1: • Damsel in Distress: Pa...
Watch Damsel in Distress Part 2: • Damsel in Distress: Pa...
Watch The Legend of the Last Princess animation on KZbin:
• The Legend of the Last...
Links, resources and full transcript available at: www.feministfre...
183 TOTAL GAMES SHOWN IN THE 3 PART MINI-SIRES
48 GAMES SHOWN IN THIS EPISODE
Those with spoilers are marked with an asterisk (*)
Super Princess Peach (2006)
Balloon Kid (1990)
Kya: Dark Lineage (2003)
Primal (2003)
* Beyond Good & Evil (2003)
Aquaria (2007)
Spelunky (2012)
Donkey King: Pauline Edition (2013)
Wind Waker: Gender Pronoun Mod (2012)
Zelda Starring Zelda (2013)
Gish (2004)
* Castle Crashers (2008)
* Eversion (2008)
Machinarium (2009)
Super Meat Boy (2010)
Frobot (2010)
I Must Run (2010)
Flying Hamster (2010)
Rochard (2011)
Sideway: New York (2011)
Zack Zero (2012)
Bean's Quest (2012)
Hotline Miami (2012)
Labyrinth Legends (2012)
Sang-Froid: Tales of Werewolves (2013)
Gunman Clive (2013)
DLC Quest (2013)
The Other Brothers (2013)
Fist Puncher (2013)
Fightback (2013)
Tiny Thief (2013)
Knightmare Tower (2013)
Guacamelee (2013)
Adventures of Lolo (1989)
Cloudberry Kingdom (2013)
Hoard (2010)
Dokuro (2012)
Fat Princess (2009)
Fez (2012)
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP (2011)
Where is my Heart? (2011)
Rayman Origins (2011)
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective (2011)
* Earthworm Jim (1994)
* The Secret of Monkey Island (1990)
* Braid (2008)
Thomas Was Alone (2012)
Donkey Kong (1981)
Many more examples of the Damsel in Distress on our Tumblr: / tropesversuswomen
FAIR USE
The multimedia clips included in this video constitute a 'fair use' of any copyrighted material as provided for in Section 107 of U.S. Copyright law which allows for criticism, comment and scholarship.
ABOUT THE SERIES:
The Tropes vs Women in Video Games project aims to examine the plot devices and patterns most often associated with female characters in gaming from a systemic, big picture perspective. This series will include critical analysis of many beloved games and characters, but remember that it is both possible (and even necessary) to simultaneously enjoy media while also being critical of it's more problematic or pernicious aspects.
This video series is created by Anita Sarkeesian and the project was funded by 6968 awesome backers on Kickstarter.com
COMMENTS: Sadly, we have been forced to close comments on KZbin due to continued harassment of this channel but please feel free to post and share this video with your own social media networks to facilitate discussions.
Credits
Director: Anita Sarkeesian
Producer: Jonathan McIntosh
Writers: Anita Sarkeesian & Jonathan McIntosh
Motion Graphics: Black Math
Intro Music: Matt Joynt & Nathan Sandberg