If Remember Me Fails, It Won't Be Due To The Female Lead
Remember MeMuch has been made about developer DontNod Entertainment running into funding resistance, mostly because publishers were afraid of a female protagonist.
Thing is, I'm not sure there's that much validity to the idea that male heroes automatically sell more copies of games. I'm fairly certain quality is the determining factor. If the game sucks, it won't sell. If it's great, it will. I really believe it's still that simple in this industry.
I have yet to come across anyone who balked at playing a game because the main character was a woman (or even a young girl). There are lot of die-hard JRPG lovers out there who really love the Atelier series, which almost always has you running around as a cutesy teenage girl. Furthermore, while it's certainly true that the vast majority of those who buy a game like Remember Me will be male, it isn't true that most of them simply prefer to play as a man. I believe a lot of them are interested in seeing how developers approach a story with a female protagonist, mostly because we're so used to playing as men.
And hey, let's not forget another interesting little psychological/sociological tidbit- Has anyone noticed that a fair amount of males prefer representing themselves as women in virtual worlds? Like those who have female avatars for PlayStation Home? Or those who opt to play MMOs as a female? Are you trying to tell me that doesn't exist? And really, I'd like someone to point out a gamer who absolutely refuses to play game because the lead character is a woman. I bet you'd have difficulty finding that gamer. In the end, if Remember Me flops, it will have little or nothing to do with Nilin.
Related Game(s): Remember Me
Tags: remember me, nilin, capcom, gaming industry
3/19/2013 11:16:20 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (10 posts)
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 @ 12:53:20 AM
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Does anyone have trouble with the idea of playing as a young female in Beyond? Controlling Ellie in TLoU? Tomb Raider? Final Fantasy? Bayonetta?
2 up, 0 down
DragonRose313
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 @ 1:06:58 AM
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4 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 @ 3:17:50 AM
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I'm tired of staring at male arses when playing. And I find male protagonists to typically be one-dimensional, macho, stupid beefs who I would not have liked whatsoever had I met something like them in real life.
So if anything a female protagonist is an argument *for* the game, it's most definitely not against.
Last edited by Beamboom on 3/20/2013 3:19:14 AM
5 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 @ 8:17:10 AM
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And while we don't know exactly why it was turned down one has to ask, how *could* they turn down a game like this?
2 up, 0 down
PC_Max
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 @ 10:17:07 AM
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Mass Effect is a good example where I hear guys play the female Shepard over the the male saying it was more fun or the dialogue was better. I t figure the dialogue is the same but with a female voice over so not sure about that. I tried it, but did not get any more from it other than diff voice. BUT the choice was good.
Like I said, let the player decide on the avatar. I know if relationships are involved in the game story in a more involved way that means more work as I am sure in Mass Effect it was for voice overs and such, but that may be the solution here. Choice. And this choice might actually change the game story dynamic as well as gameplay.
Let the player have some customizability for the game and all will be happy. I am sure they must realize this already as it is real easy for this to occur in multiplayer components of a game. No worries about story or dialogue.
Anyway, choice seems to me the option for future games, not just prettier graphics. Allow the player to make the game, to a point, their own and own their avatar.
Keep Playing!
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 @ 2:58:26 PM
0 up, 0 down
JROD0823
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 @ 3:01:18 PM
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I am hopeful that this game will be good, but I won't likely get it day one, but I will get it sometime in the near future if the reviews stack well in Remember Me's favor.
I will make it clear though that if I wasn't busy saving for the PS4's launch I would consider a day one purchase.
1 up, 0 down
cadpig
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 @ 3:15:49 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 @ 8:59:51 PM
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I find female leads more engaging, more of an underdog (eh, eh?!?!), and well... if I gotta stare at a character's backside running around for hours on end, it might as well be a woman's.
1 up, 0 down
MartyRules
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Tuesday, March 19, 2013 @ 11:58:37 PM