Coming back after a nice relaxing workout swim....
I am going to try to be calm and as rational as I possibly can. You better be ready for a TL:DR post.
-I am not critical of how other people think of character designs and whatnot and I find it perfectly okay for people to not like designs. But something like this shouldn't need to be debated/defended/attacked so heavily. People are trying to find reason that is not there or unknown to them and people are putting words in others mouths. Not just so much on trying to discredit the other, but also trying to put reason why an artist made a character the way they did when they don't know a damn thing about the artist's intentions or reasons. And I do see that here. You can assume a character was designed to pander all you want, but don't be trying to put that reason in the artist's mouth and then use said reason as an argument.
-Before I go on the next topic, I will say that I did read this.
And it was a very good read. And it is horrible to see such hatred existing. And some of those things noted are disgusting. Why should it matter so much who's on the cover? Heck, if the female character is just as important as the male character, there should be no problem with them being on the cover. It shouldn't matter if a character has a daughter. And the bitterness and disdain for female gamers and players is disgusting. That is something that needs to change and soon.
And to think because it's ultimately because of fictional objects influencing them. Because that is what games and their characters are in the end. Entirely objects. They do nothing. They can't even care. They should have no influence. They have as much feelings as a paper pinata. And yet because of how much people let them influence their actions, they appear more like a fiery wrecking ball rather than paper.
This isn't disdain or disregard for people who enjoy games and the characters. At least, not intended. But because I can see these things as only objects. I won't allow them to influence how I interact with others. If I find myself getting a bit too defensive or offended over these things, I try to end whatever right away with no want of such needless attitude. I will not allow such strong behaviour because of a bunch of toys. And that's how it should be. Games, books, fictional character should be a thing first and foremost. Because they certainly can't treat you the same or in any way.
And to have such an attitude towards females from people in general because of these things existing, it needs to change. There shouldn't be a big deal over a frickin' paper cover. Girls play with toys just as much as boys do. Games should not be an exception. Everybody's firstborn can be either a boy or a girl. A main character having their first child be a girl should not matter. This unneeded hatred and disdain towards females in games and playing games needs to change. And letting these things be such a big deal or influence needs to stop. There's nothing wrong with being into them, but letting them become more than just a thing and letting them change your way of thinking toward people is not good in any way.
-We gotten to the issues that do exist and we are going to talk about another issue that does exist. As I mentioned before, when people get heavily defensive/offended, they feel the need to try to find stuff that isn't there or never going to come to them on a silver platter. It's how both sides end up moving the goalpost until eventually, the ball cannot get in either and neither will the point. This is an issue for arguments and debates in general.
It's as I said about trying to find the reason for why the artist designed a character the way they designed. No one knows exactly why the artist did it, but feel a huge need to make a reason why. You don't know why. You don't know if another staff member helped with the decision, if the higher-ups made the decision or if the artist wanted to do it.
People need to know that sometimes, they will never find out something. And there is nothing wrong with not finding out why another human being decided to make something. It's why people need to stop focusing so much on finding the reason that eventually they make up their own reason and end up accepting it as fact.
Just like whether or not somebody is trying to make a valid point or is just complaining for the sake of complaining. It plays a part in why people who complain sexualized designs or in general about something get dismissed rather quickly. Because no one knows for certain if a person is trying to make a valid point or are just trying to stir something up. The sad thing is that both of them do exist. And because of the latter making a bigger impact on the crowd than the former, no one takes the former seriously because of how much damage the latter has done. The former suffers while the latter revels.
-Something else I will mention that somewhat involves the 2nd part. The fact that it's become such a big deal on a sexy character's artist being a woman or not. I mean, look at the fact that shortly after the new Xenoblade 2 Blade was shown, it was found out that the artist was a woman. Then suddenly, the negative view on the character dropped somewhat. Why? Why does a female artist suddenly change the view on a sexy character?
And the terrifying thing is that this hasn't just happened from followers of the artist pointing that out, but with developers. Do none of you remember the Miiverse post when Samus' epilogue costumes were shown? When Sakurai mentioned that they almost didn't make it, but one of their female developers worked extra hard to get them to appear in the game. Like to many people who played Metroid or Nintendo games in general, the costumes made perfect sense. But it really shows how much the latter, the ones who know no better and just complain about sexy designs for little reason, have given a powerful and dangerous impact if the developers have to mention that a woman created a sexy design for a character. It's horrible for both those who have good intentions and for the developers.
Anyway, that.....is really just the calmest of my thoughts I can get out. I apologise if in some cases, I sound like an ass. But I'm not trying to be one, but just know that sometimes, I feel like some people in that I feel like I'm the only sane one. As I said, the article from Zebei was a very good read and gets the point across. There do need to be some major changes in attitude in the gaming section.
But when I say how it's not good that people are debating/being defensive over an object, it's not meant to be an argument, an insult or whatever. I'm stating it cause in the end, games and fictional characters are just a thing and it's not good if you're letting them influence how much you argue or fight with somebody. It hurts alot just seeing how much gamers let things justify their destructive actions towards things they don't like, like females on the cover, having a daughter or cosplay. Don't be like these people. Actually understand that the value of these things should not worth up to defending or debating something so heavily, especially if it ends up hurting your friendships and whatnot.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
My nice, humble, calm nature aside, I haven't forgotten my promise.
For not trying to find a different argument or different thing to talk about while I was gone, I'm not going to let the box of nightmares slide.
You better get used to this. This is going to be my Avatar for all of this month. And I'm going to make sure I post consistently to make sure you never not see this face ever. And it certainly won't be the only nightmare you'll witness during this month. Happy Holidays and Happy dreams for you all.