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Phase I of Alpha Two testing will occur on weekends. Each weekend is scheduled to start on Fridays at 10 AM PT and end on Sundays at 10 PM PT. Find out more here.
Check out Alpha Two Announcements here to see the latest Alpha Two news and update notes.
Our quickest Alpha Two updates are in Discord. Testers with Alpha Two access can chat in Alpha Two channels by connecting your Discord and Intrepid accounts here.
Phoe and Nix or: How to bring up concerns about sexist tropes in AoC?
Haraxa
Member
Hey guys, dear moderators,
in the yesterdays development update, Phoe and Nix were presented. As they are like archetypes of sexist tropes of a 10 year old debate, I would like to start a discussion, how the development of a game can unwillingly lead into "othering" women and if AoC will actively prevent this. (i.E. with making a male character, and then marking the female version with a decorative ribbon, Mrs. Packman incoming! or showing game footage 90% of the time with male characters, without bad intent).
In my post I probably would point to research, that shows how easy product development can lead into "othering" of groups and re-narrate, for example, sexist storytelling.
As my post about the dangers of carefree mixing race and culture was marked as "political", it seems, that I have to ask on a more abstract level, to understand the forum rules. In which way can I raise concerns, if I (think to) spot sexist or racist tropes used in AoC without violating the forum rules?
This is a honest question, as there are often big cultural differences in the understanding of rules and I don't want to put an hour or more work in a post, that then is deleted by a moderator in 5 seconds. I hope to get a serious answer, as in my understanding (and I do this for a living as a researcher) showing racist or sexist tropes and link them to a political view is not already politics. It is a hint, that a "politic-free" position, may not be as apolitical as it seems on the first look.
I ask this on this forum, because a clearification may help not only me to avoid breaking the rules and may lead into less work for the moderators in the future. :-)
Have a nice weekend and stay healthy, everybody!
Haraxa
in the yesterdays development update, Phoe and Nix were presented. As they are like archetypes of sexist tropes of a 10 year old debate, I would like to start a discussion, how the development of a game can unwillingly lead into "othering" women and if AoC will actively prevent this. (i.E. with making a male character, and then marking the female version with a decorative ribbon, Mrs. Packman incoming! or showing game footage 90% of the time with male characters, without bad intent).
In my post I probably would point to research, that shows how easy product development can lead into "othering" of groups and re-narrate, for example, sexist storytelling.
As my post about the dangers of carefree mixing race and culture was marked as "political", it seems, that I have to ask on a more abstract level, to understand the forum rules. In which way can I raise concerns, if I (think to) spot sexist or racist tropes used in AoC without violating the forum rules?
This is a honest question, as there are often big cultural differences in the understanding of rules and I don't want to put an hour or more work in a post, that then is deleted by a moderator in 5 seconds. I hope to get a serious answer, as in my understanding (and I do this for a living as a researcher) showing racist or sexist tropes and link them to a political view is not already politics. It is a hint, that a "politic-free" position, may not be as apolitical as it seems on the first look.
I ask this on this forum, because a clearification may help not only me to avoid breaking the rules and may lead into less work for the moderators in the future. :-)
Have a nice weekend and stay healthy, everybody!
Haraxa
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
They literaly just posted 10 discord emotes, with no backstory or any side intentions whatsoever besides them together compiling the signature of Ashes which is, well, a Phoe-nix.
This is my personal feedback, shared to help the game thrive in its niche.
If he played as a female character, would that not be gender appropriation?
Still not convinced this post is not a troll? Do people even really think like this? Is "gender appropriation" something people think is real?
This is my personal feedback, shared to help the game thrive in its niche.
There are some people who think it’s offensive to be gay (and I don’t mean on right-wing side either)
As for the topic at hand, I think it’s literally a few harmless emotes. Just take a look at the cosmetics offered to see the differences you can expect from male vs female gear models. Minor form adjustments for body shapes, otherwise minimal or no changes.
Female dwarves will also proudly feature some decorative beard options.
Sure it’s good to be aware of potential alienating behavior, but sometimes it’s really just an emote and it ain’t that deep.
That said, I think the bow looks dumb and would rather see Nix have galaxy coloration.
Actually, which one is Phe and which one is Nix anyway?
Imo you are „othering“ developers
Some phoenix themed Twitch/Discord (?) emotes they showcased on the stream a couple days ago. Phoe and Nix, one has a bow in its feathers
you mean the mascots? Wow
The simple fact of the matter is no designer is going out of their way to introduce "sexist tropes". So why can't we just leave politics for elsewhere?
I mean.... It is nice of them to implement both genders, and it is pretty hard to differentiate between genders for people concerning bird species.
People sometimes believe to see things that are not really there to push their own agendas i suppose...
Your first concern about the emotes, they were advertised as brother and sister Phe & Nix(Phoe-nix... HA!). Phe, the responsible older brother, trying to reign in Nix, his unruly younger sister. This is harmlessly advertised in my opinion.
The gameplay footage generally involves female characters as well. Watch the first 15 seconds.
1Q)"As my post about the dangers of carefree mixing race and culture was marked as "political", it seems, that I have to ask on a more abstract level, to understand the forum rules. In which way can I raise concerns, if I (think to) spot sexist or racist tropes used in AoC without violating the forum rules?"
1A) This statement/question is bizarre, what are your concerns? Do you care about "the dangers of carefree mixing race and culture"? If so, please elaborate.
2Q) "This is a honest question, as there are often big cultural differences in the understanding of rules and I don't want to put an hour or more work in a post, that then is deleted by a moderator in 5 seconds. I hope to get a serious answer, as in my understanding (and I do this for a living as a researcher) showing racist or sexist tropes and link them to a political view is not already politics. It is a hint, that a "politic-free" position, may not be as apolitical as it seems on the first look."
2A) Again, this statement/question is bizarre. You SEEM (SEEM, no assumptions from me) concerned about cultural differences and racist and sexist tropes that intrepid could be implementing into their game, whether they are conscious of it or not. This needs clarity.
Again I am not assuming anything of you, but your post is written and understood poorly. More direct questions with supporting examples would be appreciated. If you are concerned about sexist tropes, such as the "Full Plate Female" and she has two straps of leather across her chest, then that is what you need to ask.
Boys have a penis and girls have a vagina.