What does it mean to be a woman in the gaming community and industry? How does your in-game name, voice, or character automatically create stigmas even before the game starts? In such a progressive era why is it that toxic masculinity is so prevalent in gaming culture?
This is a video explainer that is inspired by the interactions and tropes of video games to put the viewer in the shoes of a woman in the gaming culture and industry and explore the statistics that surround these inequalities.
When approaching this project the I researched more into the contemporary game culture as the exposure of inequality in the mainstream culture really is a modern phenomenon. Looking at research, articles, videos, and films that had primary research either written by women or from women was the most valuable to me in writing a narrative.
The narrative I wrote I separated into 4 sections/scenes that would cover the areas of research i had as well as giving space to my own personal thoughts and synthesis. Although the content highlights negative inequalities, I wanted to frame it in a more hopeful and progressive tone because games overall have brought joy and community to me and are improving exponentially.
For the visual identity i referenced retro video games that had 8-bit type, space motifs, and a black void background. I also was really inspired by synth wave graphics that tied together flat terminal grids and 3D landscapes
The most famous terminal aesthetic movie is Tron Legacy, Which i referenced a lot for color, glow, and 3D objects with gridded textures.
After establishing a visual identity i drew 4 groups of storyboards following the 4 separate scenes in the narrative.
Each scene I focused on incorporating type and statistics into the visual identity. Abstracting topics to be more understandable and immersive was important to me because the issues weren't just exclusive to video games and gaming imagery.
After recording narration I created an animatic to match the timing of each storyboard to the narration; creating a framework for me to start animating.
in scene 1 I wrote it as a broad overview of what it feels like to enter a game as a woman or under represented group. Although it is taking reference to functions in gaming I wanted to use broader metaphors that anyone would be able to relate to. This is also where I established the style of the piece and common motifs and elements from games such as the hearts as life bars.
In scene 2 I organized research about the "gamer identity" and representation of women in the culture and characters in games. I implemented more typography and an additional style of neon city lights and a globe motif to represent this world of gaming and the gamer.
In scene 3 I organized research about the the gaming industry and the inequalities faced by women. I used this scene to use icons and objects as storytelling devices such as the mind, doors, computers, and coins to further the tie to the narration and statistics. I focused on repetition of forms to represent the under represented masses.
In scene 4 I ended the piece by exploring the universal truths of social inequality that are reflected in gaming. Then ending on the progress that is happening in gaming as a hopeful and positive reflection that will hopefully make the viewer reflect on their own position or role in creating equality. The use of multiple shapes, forms, and colors represents many people and ideas coming together.
I conclude the project by posing the question; Continue?
As a call to action to we the viewers, the players, the team members, and the gamers. What is our role in the communities we are in and how will we continue to support one another?
At the end of a game or level you can choose to continue to the next level or restart to try to beat the game or get a higher score. Unfortunately in real life we can't really restart or respawn. So continuing on to the next level and chapter is what we have to do to provide the diversity and representation that we all need.
How will you...
Music is crucial to any great motion piece and it was important to me to find music that wasn't a cliche video game soundtrack but could exist in the digital world i had created.
Fortunately I had met the creator Jaynothin who gave me permission to use 2 of his fantastic synth tracks that i switch between in the piece. One track more driving and optimistic, the other more calm and contemplative, both very experimental and non-linear which not only enhanced my narration but also helped to shape the narrative and pace of my overall animation.
I also added game inspired sound effects to emphasize transitions and actions like pressing a button or entering a level to really immerse the viewer in the digital world.