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"The damsel in distress trope is one of the most widely used gender clichs in the history of video games and has been core to the popularization and development of gaming as a medium...As weve established The Damsel in Distress is part of long tradition of mythological narratives dating back through the ages. But those historical roots are no excuse for the continued use of a trope that perpetuates regressive and patronizing myths about women...Its long past time to disrupt the established pattern break the cycle and create new gender paradigms.

-Anita Sarkessian, from "Tropes vs. Women in Video Games Video Series, Parts 1 & 3"

The trope of Damsel in Distress has been around since the first video games were created. I agree with Anita Sarkessian that the Damsel in Distress is one of the most widely used gender clichs in the history of video games, no doubt. But I disagree with the second part of the quotation that states how new gender paradigms must be created. Over the years, the trope of Damsel in Distress had only gotten worse over the years.

I completely agree with Anitas first part of her quote because of the endless list of video game that have utilized the technique of Damsel in Distress to make their games more entertaining and enticing. From the very beginning, game creators have used the idea of a man rescuing a helpless woman. One of the first video games that used this technique was Donkey Kong. This was one of the first games that featured Pauline as the Damsel in Distress that was ultimately rescued by the prominent character, Mario. As time progressed, Pauline was soon

enough replaced by Princess Peach. Super Mario Bros featured two different characters in Princess Peach, and Bowser. (Damsel In Distress) The idea of a Damsel in Distress created the idea that all women are inferior to men. The idea of a Damsel in Distress have left women portrayed as weak, objects of desire and useless people that never get the opportunity to be the hero. From the beginning of the video game era, video games have obviously progressed in regard to graphics. These technological advancements have left women with a stereotype far less than reality. This stereotype is not only limited to the female gender, as men have been generously given more and more masculine features over time. Anitas statement of how the Damsel in Distress has led to the development of gaming as a medium and how it dates back through the ages is completely true. I agree with her statement and believe this technique will continue to be used in video games for many years to come.

I disagree with the second part of her quote when Anita stated that society needs to break the cycle and create new gender paradigms. I disagree because of how large the video game industry is. I believe in the old saying if it isnt broke, dont fix it. If the video game is having such success why should video game creators change their methods of the way their game entertains their players. In 2009 the video game industry generated a revenue of about 10.5 billion dollars. (Video Game Industry Statistics | Entertainment Software Rating Board) Games today that still use the Damsel in Distress include: Sonic Lost World, Wonderful 101, Call of Duty and Scary Girl. (Ms. Male Character Tropes vs Women | Feminist Frequency) Game creators continue to use this method and will continue to until the demand for these types of games vanish.

Overall, I both agree with Anita and disagree with her quote. She makes valid points in her first couple sentences but follows those up with a statement that is not backed by factual evidence. I believe her statement about how we need to mix up the gender paradigm is a little bias. Ultimately, there will not be a change in the way games entertain their audience if enough people continue to buy them.

Works Cited
"Damsel In Distress." (Concept). N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2014.

"How the Media Failed Women in 2013." YouTube. YouTube, 03 Dec. 2013. Web. 08 Apr. 2014.

"Ms. Male Character Tropes vs Women | Feminist Frequency." Feminist Frequency. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2014.

"Video Game Industry Statistics | Entertainment Software Rating Board." Video Game Industry Statistics | Entertainment Software Rating Board. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Apr. 2014.