this post was submitted on 19 May 2026
88 points (88.6% liked)

Games

48535 readers
1640 users here now

Welcome to the largest gaming community on Lemmy! Discussion for all kinds of games. Video games, tabletop games, card games etc.

Rules

1. Submissions have to be related to games

Video games, tabletop, or otherwise. Posts not related to games will be deleted.

This community is focused on games, of all kinds. Any news item or discussion should be related to gaming in some way.

2. No bigotry or harassment, be civil

No bigotry, hardline stance. Try not to get too heated when entering into a discussion or debate.

We are here to talk and discuss about one of our passions, not fight or be exposed to hate. Posts or responses that are hateful will be deleted to keep the atmosphere good. If repeatedly violated, not only will the comment be deleted but a ban will be handed out as well. We judge each case individually.

3. No excessive self-promotion

Try to keep it to 10% self-promotion / 90% other stuff in your post history.

This is to prevent people from posting for the sole purpose of promoting their own website or social media account.

4. Stay on-topic; no memes, funny videos, giveaways, reposts, or low-effort posts

This community is mostly for discussion and news. Remember to search for the thing you're submitting before posting to see if it's already been posted.

We want to keep the quality of posts high. Therefore, memes, funny videos, low-effort posts and reposts are not allowed. We prohibit giveaways because we cannot be sure that the person holding the giveaway will actually do what they promise.

5. Mark Spoilers and NSFW

Make sure to mark your stuff or it may be removed.

No one wants to be spoiled. Therefore, always mark spoilers. Similarly mark NSFW, in case anyone is browsing in a public space or at work.

6. No linking to piracy

Don't share it here, there are other places to find it. Discussion of piracy is fine.

We don't want us moderators or the admins of lemmy.world to get in trouble for linking to piracy. Therefore, any link to piracy will be removed. Discussion of it is of course allowed.

Authorized Regular Threads

Related communities

PM a mod to add your own

Video games

Generic

Help and suggestions

By platform

By type

By games

Language specific

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Everyone knows how to sexualize female characters in video games.
But how to sexualize male characters and do "fan service" for the female audience?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Tbh I'm not really all that into the way he sounds either, although I don't know how much of that is related to how he's written and acted. If we're just talking about the tone of voice I guess it's okay. But I've never really been one to go for the hunks, you know. A swelling bicep is nice and all but doesn't really move me much.

Now, a lanky tortured poet on the other hand... Something like Finn Andrews is a bit more my speed.

[–] GrantUsEyes@lemmy.zip 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oh my, how he looks at the camera... you present a strong agument tho I do not need convincing, I'm already here for it. (Also, cool song, I like it)

As an admirer of the physical form it's hard to not go for the classical examples of beauty in a question about overt sexualization (since op mentioned fan service). I threw in some wild cards in my list, but perhaps I'm just into being approached with murderous intent. XD

If we get a little more cerebral than that, yeah I guess you can talk about some more dimensional archetypes like "tortured poet" (and the like) and still answer the og question. Maybe a more interesting question would be, "how to better sexualize characters in videogames" and drop the gendered part of it. (Tho the female gaze is definitely an interesting topic to discuss, If one thing is true is that we as an audience are more open to variety.)

So hum... You are into the lanky and tortured? Is being a poet also a strong requirement for you?

[–] Coelacanth@feddit.nu 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oh my, how he looks at the camera... you present a strong agument tho I do not need convincing, I'm already here for it.

Helps that his face isn't half bad either right but yeah, that gaze is just piercing isn't it? And the raspy vibrato just gets me too...

(Also, cool song, I like it)

It's a great band. I'm not even sure The Letter is their best song, it's just a great video to showcase Finn's beauty.

Also you gotta be careful saying things like that, you know. I might take it as an opening to send you a more songs I like.

As an admirer of the physical form it's hard to not go for the classical examples of beauty in a question about overt sexualization (since op mentioned fan service).

(...)

If we get a little more cerebral than that, yeah I guess you can talk about some more dimensional archetypes like "tortured poet" (and the like) and still answer the og question.

You know, it's my bad actually. I totally ignored the actual topic of the OP to needle you about Halsin and then started talking about my own preferences like a narcissistic asshole. So uhm, whoops?

I do think there is something there for me in the sense that - at least when it comes to men - I am definitely more drawn to archetypes, faces and "presence" (I refuse to call it aura out of principle). So like, I can appreciate some shirtless washboard abs and everything, it's nice, but it doesn't necessarily move the needle for me (figuratively and literally).

But again that is only navel gazing my own preferences and not really answering the OPs question at all. Also now that I'm really sitting down and thinking about it I feel like for some reason if we're talking about the male musculature then sculpted legs are kind of hotter than arms. Like, they go together obviously because if you just have one and not the other then the body will look awkward and disproportionate. But sculpted thighs are kind of hot. Biceps are overrated.

Maybe a more interesting question would be, "how to better sexualize characters in videogames" and drop the gendered part of it. (Tho the female gaze is definitely an interesting topic to discuss, If one thing is true is that we as an audience are more open to variety.)

Yes, this is an interesting topic for sure. I think the agency of the characters in question within the story and their characterization has a huge influence on the way any physical presentation is perceived. Even though sexualisation and objectification are often interlinked, they don't have to be by nature and I think this is the key. Someone can be an empowered sexual being without being characterised as an object of desire to be claimed by someone else. It's the difference between Bayonetta and Eve from Stellar Blade.

So hum... You are into the lanky and tortured? Is being a poet also a strong requirement for you?

Hah, I can be flexible. I do like the archetype and all, but as a wise woman in Disco Elysium said: "never trust a poet".

[–] GrantUsEyes@lemmy.zip 2 points 13 hours ago* (last edited 13 hours ago)

Also you gotta be careful saying things like that, you know. I might take it as an opening to send you a more songs I like.

It is, so go ahead...I'm curious, and I enjoy passing judgement. I feel the need to reciprocate so I hope you don't end up regretting it. (what if my taste just sucks?) prepare for some lukewarm takes as well.

And then started talking about my own preferences like a narcissistic asshole. So uhm, whoops?

Sometimes I cringe and regret the dumb throwaway comments I make on this site (like the one you responded to) but this turned out to be a delightful exchange, might be one of my favourites I've had with you...so imma ask you to cut it out with that, ok? I'm deeply apreciative of all those thoughts you shared and I'll just say that indeed biceps are overrated.

And on your closing pargraph, yeah I'm with you 100%, beautifully put. I just saw a video essay the other day that also compared Bayonetta and stellar blade so, even though I haven't played either of those, I get the point.

And... Shit I really need to go back and finish Disco Elysium.