Penny Arcade, Profit, Rape Culture and Gaming Culture

[theotherbaldwin]

Trigger warning: This post discusses rape, rape as humor, rape dismissal, and links to reproduction of graphic threats of death and rape.

I finally decided that I had to duty not only to myself, but to other male survivors and to the gaming community at large to pen the following article. It examines the initial Penny Arcade "Sixth Slave" comic

Comments

[thelastmehina]

I think Amanda Marcotte, of the Pandagon blog, said it best (and I also wonder what her webmaster thinks of someone searching her blog using the term 'dickwolves.'

I can understand why the creators of Penny Arcade were upset - the whole debacle seemed to me to be a serious overreaction in parts. I'm not saying that some people were right in not liking the joke - but certain blogs treated it like the Second Coming of the Anti-Christ. As you pointed out, you were originally willing to ascribe Tycho and Gabe a certain level of ignorance, rather than malice. Some people came out of the gate convinced it was malicious.

I suppose what I'm saying is, Tycho and Gabe could have been some pretty awesome allies if the reaction had been, "Hey, dude, not cool and here's why;" rather than "OMGWTFBBQ, j00 like rape!!!!"

But seriously, read the Pandagon post, she says pretty much what I'm thinking. And while I'm just some random person on the Internet, I think Amanda Marcotte has some pretty awesome credentials.

[thelastmehina]

Let me put it another way, using an example from the article

[voyevoda]

This is a very good article that eloquently describes my exact feelings on the whole matter. It's a shame trolls came out of their holes to miss the point by miles.

[sakanagi]

A good article, and thank you for writing it. Sorry to see that so many trolls came out to comment on it on the website.

[dzurlady]

I realise I didn't actually respond to your article, and I wanted to say thanks for posting it here, it's great to have something that's so clear that I can point people too if I want to discuss the issue.

I particularly like this paragraph:
The Dickwolves t-shirt doesn't turn gamers into rapists, but it does dismiss and trivialize a very real trauma. It can contribute to an atmosphere that can make victims of sexual assault-- of which women are the most likely-- feel unwelcome and ostracized from the gaming community, especially in light of the fact that there are two Penny Arcade conventions. An outfit isn't just something one uses to cover one's nakedness. As anyone giving job interview advice would tell you, your choice of outfit sends a message to the people around you. Many gamers or geeks will wear t-shirts that express a geeky side or love of video games. The Penny Arcade Dickwolves t-shirt looks like a team jersey of the kind typically worn by fans or supporters of their favorite sports team. So what sort of message are you

[theotherbaldwin]

Thank you very much. I'm happy to hear my article was well written and will be helpful to you in the future.

And,,, I know, "Go team Dickwolf", what?

[kaelstra]

Ugh, yeah, that is really bothering me. I wasn't aware until now that they were attempting to sell a "Team Dickwolves" shirt. That's fucking vile.

[theotherbaldwin]

And pennants! With the not-at-all-vile description of "Root, root, root for the (nonexistent) home team with these distinct celebratory triangles."

[reservoir]

And this would be why I'm planning to take my Dickwolves Survivors Guild shirt with me to PAX East.

And if I'm brave enough, bring along a silver sharpie and ask them to sign it.

At least then they'd have to look me in the eye and fucking acknowledge me, instead of ignoring the rather lengthy email I sent them.

and lol, oh dear the comments

[theotherbaldwin]

That's really brave of you.

Honestly, aside from this article, the best I can manage is to not read the comic, support their stuff, or go to PAX.

[reservoir]

I had a hard time deciding about going to PAX, to be perfectly honest.

[heinous_bitca]

Link me where I can get the shirt and we'll both go up, Res.