Pathfinder art
There's been some discussion about the portrayal of women in games in my Google+ circles recently. Rather than rehash all the arguments again over here, I'm going to give some examples of what I consider to be doing it right.
Pathfinder, for anyone who doesn't already know, is basically Dungeons & Dragons 3.75. They've taked the D&D 3.5 rules and improved and expanded on them. As such, it's pretty much the embodiment of the sword and sorcery, high fantasy game. Like in D&D, each character class has an Iconic. Let's meet some of them...
Here's Seoni, the iconic Sorcerer. As you can see, this poor girl has misplaced her knickers. In fact she's not so much dressed as she's recently walked past some fabric and some of it stuck.
However, she's a sorcerer, a class with no armour proficiencies. Nobody is claiming that that outfit is in any way protective of anything. What about a character who's supposed to be wearing heavy armour?
Here's Seelah, the iconic Paladin. She's armoured from head to foot, and it's awesome armour. It manages to convey both femininity and strength, while looking like it could actually turn a blade as well. Much like her face, actually. (Well, maybe not the 'turn a blade' bit.) She looks strong and powerful.
How about a character in medium armour?
This is Imrijka, the iconic Inquisitor. When I lost my second character in the Player Massacre of 2010-2011, this is the picture that jumped out at me as I idly leafed through the Advanced Player's Guide looking for inspiration. When I saw this, I didn't just want to play an inquisitor, I wanted to play her.
Imrijka wears a mix of mail and plate, and once again, it's awesome. Look at the detail on those gauntlets. Even with the twin cataloupe holder on the front, she looks hard as nails.
But what about light armour? It's made of leather, after all...
Merisiel, iconic Rogue. This armour is a compromise between protection and freedom of movement. Merisiel's leather doesn't cover every inch of her, but being aware of the discomfort of chafing, she's chosen to wear some clothes underneath it. She doesn't look tough the way Seelah and Imrijka do, but she does look dangerous.
How do all these compare with the equivalent armour on a male iconic? Well, Alain the Cavalier is wearing a set of full plate that isn't too far off Seelah's armour. Valeros the Fighter's plate and mail combo is doing pretty much the same job as Imrijka's. And Seltyiel the Magus has also decided to team his light leather with a bit of gratuitous chest baring.
But let's take one more look at Seoni and her tragic lack of pants. Despite being drastically underdressed, she's still managing to look like more than cheesecake. Look at the tattoos. Look at the look in her eyes. I'd feel obliged to give the poor girl some proper clothes, but the character is still someone who looks fun to play, even though her appearance here is sexualised fantasy art.
So in summary, Pathfinder iconics who are supposed to be wearing armour, actually wear armour, regardless of gender. Those who aren't wearing armour, even at their most blatently boobalicious, still look cool and interesting, and it isn't only the women showing a bit of chest.
In short, the Pathfinder iconics make me want to play Pathfinder, because they're characters I can see myself playing.
While awesome art won't make me play a game if it isn't backed up with awesome mechanics and an awesome setting, it does mean I'm more likely to actually read the mechanics and setting rather than just wandering off muttering about the impracticality of steel lingerie.
Pathfinder, for anyone who doesn't already know, is basically Dungeons & Dragons 3.75. They've taked the D&D 3.5 rules and improved and expanded on them. As such, it's pretty much the embodiment of the sword and sorcery, high fantasy game. Like in D&D, each character class has an Iconic. Let's meet some of them...
Here's Seoni, the iconic Sorcerer. As you can see, this poor girl has misplaced her knickers. In fact she's not so much dressed as she's recently walked past some fabric and some of it stuck.
However, she's a sorcerer, a class with no armour proficiencies. Nobody is claiming that that outfit is in any way protective of anything. What about a character who's supposed to be wearing heavy armour?
Here's Seelah, the iconic Paladin. She's armoured from head to foot, and it's awesome armour. It manages to convey both femininity and strength, while looking like it could actually turn a blade as well. Much like her face, actually. (Well, maybe not the 'turn a blade' bit.) She looks strong and powerful.
How about a character in medium armour?
This is Imrijka, the iconic Inquisitor. When I lost my second character in the Player Massacre of 2010-2011, this is the picture that jumped out at me as I idly leafed through the Advanced Player's Guide looking for inspiration. When I saw this, I didn't just want to play an inquisitor, I wanted to play her.
Imrijka wears a mix of mail and plate, and once again, it's awesome. Look at the detail on those gauntlets. Even with the twin cataloupe holder on the front, she looks hard as nails.
But what about light armour? It's made of leather, after all...
Merisiel, iconic Rogue. This armour is a compromise between protection and freedom of movement. Merisiel's leather doesn't cover every inch of her, but being aware of the discomfort of chafing, she's chosen to wear some clothes underneath it. She doesn't look tough the way Seelah and Imrijka do, but she does look dangerous.
How do all these compare with the equivalent armour on a male iconic? Well, Alain the Cavalier is wearing a set of full plate that isn't too far off Seelah's armour. Valeros the Fighter's plate and mail combo is doing pretty much the same job as Imrijka's. And Seltyiel the Magus has also decided to team his light leather with a bit of gratuitous chest baring.
But let's take one more look at Seoni and her tragic lack of pants. Despite being drastically underdressed, she's still managing to look like more than cheesecake. Look at the tattoos. Look at the look in her eyes. I'd feel obliged to give the poor girl some proper clothes, but the character is still someone who looks fun to play, even though her appearance here is sexualised fantasy art.
So in summary, Pathfinder iconics who are supposed to be wearing armour, actually wear armour, regardless of gender. Those who aren't wearing armour, even at their most blatently boobalicious, still look cool and interesting, and it isn't only the women showing a bit of chest.
In short, the Pathfinder iconics make me want to play Pathfinder, because they're characters I can see myself playing.
While awesome art won't make me play a game if it isn't backed up with awesome mechanics and an awesome setting, it does mean I'm more likely to actually read the mechanics and setting rather than just wandering off muttering about the impracticality of steel lingerie.