By Matt Underwood It’s been ten years since Anita Sarkeesian burst onto the scene, igniting a firestorm of controversy and becoming a lightning rod for the gaming community. As I reflect on those years, I can’t help but think, “It’s been ten years, get over it.”
Feminist criticism has always been around, and it was only a matter of time before video games faced the music. I remember the backlash against the “sex sells” marketing in games like Mortal Kombat 9 and Duke Nukem Forever. People were getting tired of the objectification of women in gaming, and rightly so.
Anita Sarkeesian was one of the voices that emerged during this time, offering feminist perspectives on video game content. Now, let me clarify, she did not sacrifice your firstborn for a satanic ritual to banish boobs from Western games. She simply provided some reviews from a feminist lens. Yet, she became the target of extreme toxic sexist backlash.
Looking back, it’s disturbing to think about the harassment and threats that Sarkeesian faced. It only proved her point about the misogyny that exists within gaming communities. I hope she’s doing okay now, because no one should have to endure that level of hatred.
To those who claim that Sarkeesian ruined games, let’s be real. Her impact on the industry was minimal. She didn’t ruin anything. She simply gave those who harbor sexist views something to complain about. It wasn’t her that caused the change, it was the backlash from those who disagreed with her.
It’s ironic how the very people who disagreed with Sarkeesian ended up proving her point. They sent her death threats and sexualized female game characters. They displayed the very toxicity and misogyny that she was speaking out against. It’s truly pathetic.
There’s a certain level of immaturity and fragility within the gaming community that can’t handle any criticism or diversity in narrative. They claim that Sarkeesian ruined video games, but some of the best games ever made have come out in the last decade. The industry is thriving, and the games being released are fantastic.
It’s funny how Sarkeesian’s criticisms were actually quite mild and not even close to being the most radical feminist perspectives. Yet, they were enough to trigger an army of fragile-egoed men who couldn’t handle a different point of view. It’s absurd.
Looking back on my own journey, I’m ashamed to admit that I was once influenced by the anti-Anita rhetoric. As a young teen, I didn’t fully understand the issues she was highlighting, and I laughed at the idea of her not understanding games. But as I’ve grown older and more educated, I realize how wrong I was.
Anita Sarkeesian shouldn’t be remembered for “ruining” video games, but rather for shedding light on the need for more diversity and inclusivity in the industry. She challenged the status quo and opened up discussions about representation and sexism in games. That’s a powerful legacy to have.
It’s time to move on from the vitriol and misogyny that surrounded Sarkeesian and recognize the positive impact she had. Video games are thriving, and they are better for the diversity and inclusion that has been fostered in recent years. It’s been ten years, and it’s time to get over it.