The analytical framework for my digital artefact takes on three different concepts that link to one another smoothly. In my video I will cover these three concepts in depth: paratext, gender diversity, and feminism. First, I will look at gender diversity and how it is important in an industry that lacks this kind of representation. Then I will discuss how feminism can move representation beyond stereotypes so that players can actually feel seen. And finally, paratext wraps it all up by presenting diversity and fashion in the branding of the game, in order to attract the targeted audience.
But first, I would like to discuss the reason I am passionate about the way my characters look. Often I find games, including female-led games, disregard fashion. Games that don’t have elaborate fantasy outfits should reflect current fashion trends so players can relate better to the characters. Fashion is common interest among many people, but especially girls when regarding children, so to ignore that when designing a game for them would be ignorant.
In my Pitch, I used a comparison between Bratz Rock Angelz and Tomb Raider.
One of these games is about fashion with minimal action, and the other game is all action. However, the outfits in these two photos are quite similar. If the photo on the right were to look a little more like the photo on the left (minus the makeup and heels), Lara Croft as a character would be a representation that you can be who she represents—a brave character who is strong and willing to do whatever to reach her end goal—but also be interested in typically “girly” things such as fashion. They are interests that can co-exist.
Candace 