Comments | inclusive_geeks: Borderlands 2: "Girlfriend Mode"

mongoose_bite in inclusive_geeks

Borderlands 2: "Girlfriend Mode"

Aug 18, 2012 13:43

"The design team was looking at the concept art and thought, you know what, this is actually the cutest character we've ever had," said lead designer John Hemingway. "I want to make, for the lack of a better term, the girlfriend skill tree. This is, I love Borderlands and I want to share it with someone, but they suck at first-person shooters. Can ( Read more... )

video games, article

Comments 30

clafount August 18 2012, 14:07:39 UTC

Well that's frustrating. Especially considering Borderlands' FPS-style combat is what made me finally get over my hang up about playing FPS games. It's actually pretty easy to master.

(Oh and I played the original Borderlands with my husband and I was the far better player, btw).

It sucks because I honestly think the intention to make games more accessible to newer players is actually a good one. Why did they have to couch it in such sexist terms?

casketscratcher August 18 2012, 14:54:36 UTC

You know, when I first heard about this mode I thought it was a great idea for my boyfriend. I love playing games with him, but he isn't interested in putting in the hours I usually do. (When I get into a game, I get into a game.)

Now I'm not even considering buying the game. I'm so damn sick of straight dudes making everything about them and their old-fashioned, stereotypical views of gaming.

benndragon August 18 2012, 16:02:15 UTC

Protip: If you want your girlfriend to play video games with you, try not insulting her intelligence by mansplaining the game to her.

fierceawakening August 18 2012, 16:09:53 UTC

I like the idea, as someone who never seems to be able to figure out FPSes. I want to strangle whoever came up with the completely stupid name.

sephirajo August 18 2012, 20:17:47 UTC

Put this on my facebook and have just been told by two guy friends that I am totally over reacting about this and it's not THAT bad. >__

mongoose_bite August 19 2012, 00:29:42 UTC

I don't understand why more dudes don't feel embarassed at the very least by the things said by people like those devs on their behalf. I know I do. It's like, is this how you want to be represented?

Given the response you got, apparently it is.

voyevoda August 20 2012, 17:00:56 UTC

And yet you know if games started implementing 'guy mode' where (to pull out a stereotype) they explain the entire answer to puzzles to the player because guys are ~too dumb to figure it out~, there would (rightfully so) be people up in arms.

But that will never happen to them. So of course putting themselves in a woman's shoes for this sort of thing is just 'overreacting'.