Monocle
Member
Yep, pretty much.
Smash Bros. gives Zero Suit Samus skimpy new outfit; Sakurai thanks "female designer"
- Thread starter Neiteio
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It should have been "Why did Sakurai feel the need to state designer's gender for today's PotD?" since that's what the OP wanted the thread to be about.
Sevyne
Member
Well yeah, people have become over-sensitive to the point that I can't even tell if they're serious anymore. Some of the complaints sometimes are just so out there, that it almost seems like they're a parody of themselves.
Like, I understand the desire for equality in gaming, etc. I'm all for it, and who wouldn't be? However, I feel that sometimes people really pick the wrong battles to fight and becomes counterproductive to a cause. If this costume stirs up controversy, then this is a good example of picking the wrong battle.
Choosing not to include a certain costume in a game is not censorship. It's...choosing not to include a certain costume in a game.
But the thing is, people do bat an eye at it in real life. That's why it's even a topic to begin with. The notion of the internet being some different world where people discuss wildly different things than they care about in real life is pretty much false. The internet is real life at this point in human history.
I guarantee you people have discussions about media representation for women and minorities in real life. Maybe not in circles you or I or anyone in this thread hang out in, but it happens. There are committees and advocacy groups formed for this stuff. It's an important issue for a lot of people.
Mango The Magician
Banned
Pretty cool addition.
Mac's hoodie isn't a new model. It was part of his opening animation.
Also it wasn't implemented during crunch time.
These aren't great excuses.
Boss Doggie
all my loli wolf companions are so moe
Have to alter the hair model though.
And what do you mean by "no way around including it"? Is it because of the comment? People really are thinking way too much about it.
Femmeworth
Banned
Giolon
Member
Presumably to head off, "How typical of men making a skimpy outfit!" He can point to and say, "One of my female designers came to me and really wanted to get this outfit into the game." But he's still damned bc "Why does he feel the need to point out the designer was female?"
There's no winning with some people.
Though I really wonder - how much are the developers in Japan really aware of the SJW strain that has infected western gaming media?
They wouldn't have to alter her hair. The Zero Mission alternative costume has a different hairstyle to the Samus depicted in some of the Zero Mission endings.
The "female designer" mention is kind of the point, though. Sakurai credited a female designer most likely because he anticipated accusations of pandering or male-driven design. This, in turn, is a reflection of the hostile atmosphere that tends to whirl around discussions about how certain groups are depicted. It has ingrained in people a tendency to be jumpy, defensive, etc, all to preempt those who they fear would attack them.
Agreed.
When I said "don't bat an eye in real-life," I mean most people wouldn't take issue with a woman going for a jog in similar attire. It's generally only gaming where such dress is suddenly a polarizing subject.
Laughing Banana
Weeping Pickle
This thread supposedly exist to discuss why Sakurai needs to include the female designer comment, but the truth is this thread is also a good example of why Sakurai felt the need to use that term when announcing this costume.
CambriaRising
Member
I have no problems with this costume or the designer.
sorakirosaki
Member
honestly i feel like the way there cultures work and how they view certain forms of media makes me think they aren't really aware of these things or have some awareness.
as for the outfits i think they look pretty good lol i like the color orange and blue so its just a good mix of colors
It's quite clear why Sakurai included the female designer comment. But it's also interesting to question why, despite knowing that he would have to try to justify it somehow, it was still included.
can't blame them really, people will reach for their pitchforks at the slightest provocation these days
not getting this but I think the design is kind of neat, there are worse things happening in Soul Calibur
Way I see it, this thread is a consequence of the atmosphere that already existed and led Sakurai to take precautions. I see those precautions taken by Sakurai, and I say, "Why? Is that really necessary?" And that makes me look at the root cause, which is not this thread, but the atmosphere that preceded it.
Now, you could say that some of the replies in this thread, which ignored the OP and simply opined for or against the costume, are part of that hostile atmosphere. But not the premise of this thread.
Excuses for what?
Mihael Mello Keehl
Banned
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Amazeballs
Member
Pretty much what I was thinking. Internet social justice encourages fear and outrage at the expensive of proper discourse and reasoning. Sakurai has to include as much context in the comments as possible for fear of people taking the costume out of context to further their own beliefs.
Sevyne
Member
They were probably included because people who are fans of Metroid just "get it". The costumes are made for those people. He's trying to justify it to people outside of that community. He shouldn't have to, but it is what it is.
Franchuzas87
Member
I'm not a big fan of the Zero Suit, but I actually think this two are pretty cool and represent better the old idea of "Samus without suit" I had back in the first games.
I'll definitely pick one of these instead of the regular Zero Suit.
I'll definitely pick one of these instead of the regular Zero Suit.
PairOfFilthySocks
Member
Is there a problem with character designs that have sex appeal? Do you think the female designer was wrong to implement a female character design with some degree of sex appeal?
Ah. I see.
Well, I think that's ultimately an issue of context in relation to the medium. Because gaming is full of so many sexualized female characters, we automatically switch to look at it that way. So much so that even something that in the real world could be looked at as just someone's athletic gear becomes this pandering, sexual thing.
And the heels really don't help. Why couldn't she have flat jet boots? lol
I would like this.I suppose. Or they could include something like this:
sorakirosaki
Member
lol yea i agree the heels look a bit weird lol she could have definitely gone flat
this was drawn by alex ahad but he had some interesting ideas (albeit not all of em working)
i personally would have preferred her to have just normal shoes
For not including a different alternative costume (again, assuming that the Other M uniform isn't included).
Out of curiosity, since I'm on auto-"buuuuuh don't continue sexing up my Samus",
I googled a bit for "wearing sportsbra without a top" (and the current look of sportsbra),
and apparently (google results) german woman mostly prefer an additional top (and frankly I've never seen one running or biking with only a sportsbra),
but would like to run in such setup (if men weren't oogling and the neighbourhood not judging),
from googles english (or american?) results it seems women are jogging/running clothed like that all the time and it's completely normal.
So I guess the clothes are okay (though I still prefer the original versions) when compared to reallife women working out.
The highheels are still stupid though, imo. T_T
Once you start noticing something is wrong, you'll look at things from a new perspective and that might cause a tunnel-effect of sorts or an over-analysis,
but it creates a discourse/exchange of different POVs on the matter (idealy...) ... or at least awareness of the problem.
I mean, it's already somwhat working, is it not, as seen right now with Samus and Sakurai;
even though if it still might result in (beware, older example) "female designer"-designs like that naked princess (that one Atlusgame for the DS).
I googled a bit for "wearing sportsbra without a top" (and the current look of sportsbra),
and apparently (google results) german woman mostly prefer an additional top (and frankly I've never seen one running or biking with only a sportsbra),
but would like to run in such setup (if men weren't oogling and the neighbourhood not judging),
from googles english (or american?) results it seems women are jogging/running clothed like that all the time and it's completely normal.
So I guess the clothes are okay (though I still prefer the original versions) when compared to reallife women working out.
The highheels are still stupid though, imo. T_T
I think it's in a way a natural reaction and imo not a bad thing.
Once you start noticing something is wrong, you'll look at things from a new perspective and that might cause a tunnel-effect of sorts or an over-analysis,
but it creates a discourse/exchange of different POVs on the matter (idealy...) ... or at least awareness of the problem.
I mean, it's already somwhat working, is it not, as seen right now with Samus and Sakurai;
even though if it still might result in (beware, older example) "female designer"-designs like that naked princess (that one Atlusgame for the DS).
Nothing1016
Member
Lol Because that would be boring. More impressive if she can fight in heels.
- It's a texture mod not a new model.
- Good jumping etiquette involves landing on the balls of your feet. Having springy heels makes sense. It is also true to life as many examples of athletic footwear goes up at the heel.
I suppose. Or they could include something like this:
I understand what you're getting at, but I can't help finding it funny that you'd suggest this, considering Other: M did much, much more harm to Samus' character than this thread's outfit ever did.
Mihael Mello Keehl
Banned
You guys are acting as if she is wearing red-bottoms. The heels are fine.
MisterHero
Super Member
Raiden had heels in MGS4 and they were for jumping.
I like the heels. They're a cool way to explain how she can jump high and survive long falls, the springs in the heels absorbing all of the shock, like Chell in Portal. They also stabilize the thrusters, which provide propulsion and add extra oomph to her attacks. 
Honestly, my only nitpick was the fluorescent yellow seemed a bit gaudy at first. But the heels, in general, look better with these new alts.
Honestly, my only nitpick was the fluorescent yellow seemed a bit gaudy at first. But the heels, in general, look better with these new alts.
There has been a discussion.
Do you care to share the incontestable opinion you are clearly privy to?
It's not about the outfit per se, it's about the need for Sakurai to clarify the gender of the designer.
Since the Smash thread shifted gears into talking about that stupid fanfic, I guess I'll post this here too:
I've always preferred this outfit. I would have liked it as an alternate costume. As for what we got, well it's not one I'll be using, and I don't play as Zero Suit Samus anyway.
I've always preferred this outfit. I would have liked it as an alternate costume. As for what we got, well it's not one I'll be using, and I don't play as Zero Suit Samus anyway.
Exactly. And this, in turn, is about whether the atmosphere has become a bit hostile when it comes to how people embrace certain designs.
I am aware it's a texture mod. I don't like the regular costume's heels either. Though I wasn't aware of that second fact. Good to know.
Thats because people these days are sensitive to any little thing. Everyone's some sort of activist cuz its the cool thing to do. I dont blame Sakurai for writing what he did.
sorakirosaki
Member
tbf the artist in question has drawn fairly fanservicy stuff as well on her own.
i just feel like asia in general just doesnt have a problem with it as the west does.
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