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Tropes vs. Women in Video Games

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2013
2 Seasons
18 Episodes
EN
Ended

About

Tropes vs. Women in Video Games aims to examine limiting, sexist patterns associated with female representations in games, and to illuminate how these patterns reinforce and perpetuate harmful attitudes about women in our culture.

#video game#feminism

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Episodes

Season 1

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Damsel in Distress (Part 1)
E1

Damsel in Distress (Part 1)

Mar 7, 2013

This video explores how the Damsel in Distress became one of the most widely used gendered cliché in the history of gaming and why the trope has been core to the popularization and development of the medium itself. As a trope the Damsel in Distress is a plot device in which a female character is placed in a perilous situation from which she cannot escape on her own and must then be rescued by a male character, usually providing a core incentive or motivation for the protagonist’s quest.

Damsel in Distress (Part 2)
E2

Damsel in Distress (Part 2)

May 28, 2013

This is the second in a series of three videos exploring the Damsel in Distress trope in video games. In this installment we look at “dark and edgy” side of the trope in more modern games and how the plot device is often used in conjunction with graphic depictions of violence against women. Over the past decade we’ve seen developers try to spice up the old Damsel in Distress cliche by combining it with other tropes involving victimized women including the disposable woman, the mercy killing and the woman in the refrigerator.

Damsel in Distress (Part 3)
E3

Damsel in Distress (Part 3)

Aug 1, 2013

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 games. We conclude with an investigation of titles that attempt to subvert or deconstruct the traditional damsel narrative.

Ms. Male Character
E4

Ms. Male Character

Aug 1, 2013

In this episode we examine the Ms. Male Character trope and briefly discuss a related pattern called the Smurfette Principle. We’ve defined the Ms. Male Character Trope as: The female version of an already established or default male character. Ms. Male Characters are defined primarily by their relationship to their male counterparts via visual properties, narrative connection or occasionally through promotional materials.

Women as Background Decoration (Part 1)
E5

Women as Background Decoration (Part 1)

Jun 16, 2014

In this episode we explore the Women as Background Decoration trope which is the subset of largely insignificant non-playable female characters whose sexuality or victimhood is exploited as a way to infuse edgy, gritty or racy flavoring into game worlds. These sexually objectified female bodies are designed to function as environmental texture while titillating presumed straight male players. Sometimes they’re created to be glorified furniture but they are frequently programmed as minimally interactive sex objects to be used and abused. Sexual objectification is the practice of treating or representing a human being as a thing or mere instrument to be used for another’s sexual purposes. Sexually objectified women are valued primarily for their bodies, or body parts, which are presented as existing for the pleasure and gratification of others.

Women as Background Decoration (Part 2)
E6

Women as Background Decoration (Part 2)

Aug 25, 2014

This is the second episode exploring the Women as Background Decoration trope in video games. In this installment we expand our discussion to examine how sexualized female bodies often occupy a dual role as both sexual playthings and the perpetual victims of male violence. The Women as Background Decoration trope which is the subset of largely insignificant non-playable female characters whose sexuality or victimhood is exploited as a way to infuse edgy, gritty or racy flavoring into game worlds. These sexually objectified female bodies are designed to function as environmental texture while titillating presumed straight male players. Sometimes they’re created to be glorified furniture but they are frequently programmed as minimally interactive sex objects to be used and abused.

The Scythian – Positive Female Characters in Video Games
E7

The Scythian – Positive Female Characters in Video Games

Mar 31, 2015

In the debut episode of our series on Positive Female Characters, we celebrate the Scythian, the protagonist of Capybara Games’ 2011 release Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP. This episode examines how Sword & Sworcery employs widely recognizable action adventure game tropes to make the Scythian’s quest feel like the stuff of video game legend, and how in doing so, it asserts that women can fill the role of the mythic hero as effectively as men can.

Jade - Positive Female Characters in Video Games
E8

Jade - Positive Female Characters in Video Games

May 11, 2015

This episode of our series on Positive Female Characters focuses on Jade, the protagonist of Ubisoft’s 2003 action-adventure game Beyond Good & Evil. We examine how plot elements, gameplay mechanics and smart dialogue work together to make Jade a relatable protagonist who is defined by her professional talents, her altruistic convictions, and her bonds with friends.

Where does Tropes vs. Women in Video Games rank today?

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Watch Tropes vs. Women in Video Games Online Free — All Episodes in HD

Stream Tropes vs. Women in Video Games online free in HD on Bowood.TV. A talked-about documentary and talk series originally produced in English and released in 2013, it's earned a solid 2.8/10 from 4 viewers worldwide.

About Tropes vs. Women in Video Games

Tropes vs. Women in Video Games aims to examine limiting, sexist patterns associated with female representations in games, and to illuminate how these patterns reinforce and perpetuate harmful attitudes about women in our culture. Across 2 seasons and 18 episodes, originally airing on YouTube.

Tropes vs. Women in Video Games Cast and Characters

The cast features Anita Sarkeesian (as Self). Their performances are a major reason Tropes vs. Women in Video Games has built such a passionate audience.

Where to Watch Tropes vs. Women in Video Games Online

On Bowood.TV you can watch Tropes vs. Women in Video Games free — no account, no credit card, no ads in the middle of the show. We stream the full series in 720p / 1080p HD, with subtitles when available, on any device: phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV browser.

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Why People Are Watching Tropes vs. Women in Video Games

Tropes vs. Women in Video Games flies under the radar but it deserves your attention. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tropes vs. Women in Video Games

Where can I watch Tropes vs. Women in Video Games online for free?

You can watch Tropes vs. Women in Video Games online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.

How many episodes does Tropes vs. Women in Video Games have?

Tropes vs. Women in Video Games has 18 episodes across 2 seasons. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.

Is Tropes vs. Women in Video Games good? What's the rating?

Tropes vs. Women in Video Games holds a 2.8/10 rating based on 4 reviews — a niche pick worth checking out.

Who is in the cast of Tropes vs. Women in Video Games?

The main cast includes Anita Sarkeesian.

Is Tropes vs. Women in Video Games available in English?

Yes — Tropes vs. Women in Video Games was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.

When was Tropes vs. Women in Video Games released?

Tropes vs. Women in Video Games first aired in 2013.

Do I need an account to watch Tropes vs. Women in Video Games on Bowood.TV?

No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch Tropes vs. Women in Video Games without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.

Similar Series You Might Like

If you enjoyed Tropes vs. Women in Video Games, check out It's in the Game: Madden NFL, EP Daily, Playing with Power: The Nintendo Story, The Last of Us Development Series, and Good Game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch Tropes vs. Women in Video Games for free?

You can watch Tropes vs. Women in Video Games online for free on Bowood.TV. All 18 episodes across 2 seasons are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.

How many seasons and episodes does Tropes vs. Women in Video Games have?

Tropes vs. Women in Video Games currently has 2 seasons and a total of 18 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.

What is Tropes vs. Women in Video Games about?

Tropes vs. Women in Video Games aims to examine limiting, sexist patterns associated with female representations in games, and to illuminate how these patterns reinforce and perpetuate harmful attitudes about women in our culture. It belongs to the Documentary, Talk genres.

In which language is Tropes vs. Women in Video Games originally available?

Tropes vs. Women in Video Games was originally produced in English. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.

When was Tropes vs. Women in Video Games first released?

Tropes vs. Women in Video Games first premiered on March 7, 2013 (2013). The series has since concluded its run.

All Seasons

Browse every season of Tropes vs. Women in Video Games2 seasons in total

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