Problem –
Can female characters be portrayed more realistically within video games? Through this mini-project I hope to gain a better understanding of how gender roles are portrayed to us through the video game industry and to explore the issue surrounding the design of female characters within video games. I want to examine the theory; does sex sell? And whether or not particular gender portrayals in video games make them more attractive to consumers/gamers?

Context –
The main work that gave rise to this research project is “Sex, Lies, and Videos Games: The Portrayal of Male and Female Characters on Video Game Covers.” By Melinda C. R. Burgess, Steven Paul Stermer & Stephen R. Burgess. It is significant as it focuses on the influence of images on attitudes and behaviours. This is key when dealing with the imagery used on the covers of video games to draw in consumers regardless of age. From this research, I have gathered that more males are used on covers than females and if/ when females are shown on the covers, they are usually presents as weak or sexually provocative. This is significant as it insinuates that female characters are only there to please the male gamer, thus making the game more attractive to buy.

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