Hearthpwn

I do think that gender representation in gaming is a big deal. There needs to be loads more representation for women and minorities. Hearthstone specifically though is not an area where I think it's a huge deal, because the cards barely qualify as characters. It's just art with some flavour. They don't have character arcs or anything. Certainly seeing a bit more balance would be nice though.

I am also very offended that there aren't any handicapped people as cards! The most outragous thing is that Blizzard still accepts new male players in Hearthstone while the percentage of males is allready that high. I am also extremly offended that Jaina is portrayed in such a sexistic way and of course the most outragous thing is that not all members in this forum aggree to all of this..

I hate feminism.. Equality is a very important thing but the feminism has nothing to do with equality, it is just about complaining about everything and trying to push for a matriarchy

Quote from BerryInvasion >>

To put a perspective on how much feminists know about video games, watch this video: 

I think the problem with gender in HS is how you're forced into one depending on the class you play ( Skins being a sketchy answer to this. Even with that, they did not exactly alternate gender in all of them ). I mean this wouldn't be a problem if I had any incent into playing a character beyond their looks, which is very influenced by their gender, but...That's really not the case, or it isn't as long as you haven't bought half the novels or whatever ( And I can't imagine what it is if you haven't played WoW, let alone Warcraft ).

I litterally don't even know why Anduin is a thing. You're just the prince. Okay, maybe you studied the light for a part of your tranquil royal life, then had to be rescued a few times, delivered some VERY cheesy speeches and one liners, but why would I consider aiding you in battle ? No, I want to be Garrosh, the Warsong Warchief, or Jaina, quite understandably gone totally haywire since the whole Theramore incident. And I certainly don't want to be Rexxar, that ugly pile of muscle that somehow got the bow as their weapon of choice ( Just as in WC3, he'd fare better by simply hitting people with his bow. Without arrows. On the face. ).

SOME characters couldn't be better chosen ( Uther, Malfurion, Gul'Dan, Thrall... ) though it is still sort of questionable how easily you can relate to them ( Looking back at WC3 I realize I should almost equally if not more be incentivized to play Malfurion than Tyrande, time-played-wise, but I just like Tyrande more, because she's a woman, and I naturally identify with her more. And she's such a b*tch in those games that this should be telling* ), but some are such poor excuses for their class that all they end up being is a walking gender with whom you either identify and are fine with, or don't and you just dislike the hero because he's basically just a portrait that you don't like with a name on it. 

*Proudly exhibits "Team Maiev" badge.

It's a fucking card game.... are you serious? 

Jaina and cards like Secretkeeper look the way they do because of the old adage:  sex sells.  This strategy is particularly effective for a game like HS, where pubescent boys make up a substantial percentage of the customer base.

Quote from Human_Guy >>

Quote from RedMageCadwyn >>

Quote from BerryInvasion >>

To put a perspective on how much feminists know about video games, watch this video: 

 I mean, she's absolutely right; female bodies are emphasized and sexualized way more than male bodies, both in character and camera design. It's a well known form of systemic sexism in the industry. Emphasis on "systemic". That means it's not the fault of individuals, but a product of a system that promotes biased behavior. When someone talks about a systemic problem, that doesn't mean they're calling you bad for liking or being a part of it; it's highlighting what's wrong with the system, so developers and consumers can be aware of them going forward.

Character design is also a fun little bit of representation. I once tried putting a Jaina wallpaper on my phone, but realized that blown up much larger, her chest is front and center and heavily emphasized, None of the male characters have such a sexual element in their design, and I just felt uncomfortable about having it on a phone in public (I have a galaxy note, pretty visible in hand), so I got rid of it. Shame, that.

Don't get me wrong, I love the Mage class, and Jaina's design is great (the use of blue is great, and the iconic scene represented in her portrait is neat when you know about it), but it's clear she was designed with a sexualized bias moreso than, say, Uther, and in a way that made me uncomfortable displaying that in public. Not because it's too risque or NSFW (it isn't), but I worried people might just get the wrong impression of her at a glance.

And again, that's not a call to change portrait art or take away the bewbs and butts, just consideration going forward with presenting other characters, and making sure their design conveys who they are with clarity.

 Big buff sweaty guys with muscles and naked upper bodies are not sexualized? The only reason men are not portrayed in the same way as women is because women don't get sexually aroused from just looking at guys like how men are with women.

studies show that women also prefer seeing half naked women in movies etc rather than half naked men. Why is sexulization something so wrong? Are we back in the puritan ages where you preferably still wear cloths while bathing just to not see anything mildly arousing?

BTW: Everything anita says is wrong. You can see Batman's skin tight ass if you move around or if you use another skin.

Quote from Komorebi3 >>

I think the problem with gender in HS is how you're forced into one depending on the class you play ( Skins being a sketchy answer to this. Even with that, they did not exactly alternate gender in all of them ). I mean this wouldn't be a problem if I had any incent into playing a character beyond their looks, which is very influenced by their gender, but...That's really not the case, or it isn't as long as you haven't bought half the novels or whatever ( And I can't imagine what it is if you haven't played WoW, let alone Warcraft ).

Quote from RedMageCadwyn >>

Quote from Komorebi3 >>

I think the problem with gender in HS is how you're forced into one depending on the class you play ( Skins being a sketchy answer to this. Even with that, they did not exactly alternate gender in all of them ). I mean this wouldn't be a problem if I had any incent into playing a character beyond their looks, which is very influenced by their gender, but...That's really not the case, or it isn't as long as you haven't bought half the novels or whatever ( And I can't imagine what it is if you haven't played WoW, let alone Warcraft ).

 As someone who came to Hearthstone without any WoW or Warcraft experience; I didn't know who anyone was going in, so the characters served more as examples of those fantasy class archetypes. I thought Malfurian was some weird beast folk, but that at least made sense with Druids having themes of nature ties and transforming. Anduin seemed like an archetypical good-guy, contrasting with Gul'dan, who given the only other WoW Warlock I knew was Richard, I safely pegged as dark power-using evil guy.

At the end of the day, that's ultimately what the heroes are there for; to illustrate the class you're playing. The lore significance is a bonus to WoW fans, but at this point I doubt they're expecting a majority of players to be familiar with WoW.

Interesting topic, unfortunatelly in this world very few people really wants to think things through, and lots of them are basically angry by nature.

I am a man, I am feminist (just equality between men and women basically, don't compare feminists with feminazis), but I also am rationnal, and I know that in heroic fantasy universes male figures are more present than female ones, not a problem as to the fact that there is more males than females (although a bit more female characters wouldn't hurt). But on the other hand, the "sexual" figure of female characters in Hearthstone could be more of an issue when you think about it. In the end, I'll rather have less female characters if they'll be almost always half naked, than more of those in this current condition. I answered to your pool that "it should neer more attention"

Here i am, and i call bullshit on this whole post from its beggining thesis. 

Female minion cards: Alexstrasza, Aviana, Onyxia, Ysera, Confessor Paletress, Cabal Shadow Priest, Grand Crusader, Justicar Trueheart, Kodorider, Priestess of Elune, Reckless Rocketeer, Shieldmaiden, Sideshow Spelleater, Sylvanas Windrunner, Windfury Harpy, Darkscale Healer, Naga Sea Witch, Nightblade, Pit Fighter, Arathi Weaponsmith, Draenei Totemcarver, Dragonling Mechanic, Elise Starseeker, Gnomish Inventor, Holy Champion, Keeper of Uldaman, Kezan Mystic, Maiden of the Lake, Master of Disguise, Violet Teacher, Wee Spellstopper, Blackwing Technician, Druid of the Flame, Eydis Darkbane, Fjola Lightbane, Grove Tender, Illuminator, Imp Master, Lil' Exorcist, Master of Ceremonies, Razorfen Hunter, Scarlet Crusader, Silver Hand Regent, Stablemaster, Warsong Commander, Armorsmith, Bloodsail Raider, Darnassus Aspirant, Druid of the Saber, Mana Addict, Mistress of Pain, Novice Engineer, Pint-Sized Summoner, Sorcerer's Apprentice, Succubus, Sunfury Protector, Argent Squire, Brave Archer, Elven Archer, Lightwarden, Northshire Cleric, Reliquary Seeker, Secretkeeper, Young Priestess, Wisp.

(Didnt bother checking spells and weapons)

If you add to that the fact that there are many cards which are of no gender or we cant tell if they're male or female i'd say you (and your friend) should open your eyes more before you start bs threads like this one. Thanks!

Even if females were underrepresented i'd still say that it doesnt matter, except if it was extreme like: 5% women 95% men.  This isnt a company hiring employees of all genders, this is a game. Get your "are you pc brah?" bs straight plz.

Quote from drfelip >> 

What really surprises me is that you are not aware of the close relationship between "gender equality in a childer's card game" and "women get raped... can't speak their mind"... If children grow up in a world that, from Disney's movies to TV ads and... well, Hearthstone, depicts males as strong, brave, powerful and smart, and women as... well... just unimportant... How are they going to think that women's opinions are important? Or that somebody should care if women are raped, enslaved or killed? A single game is not important: but we live literally immersed in a world of games, movies, books, series, ads... that fill our brain of this idea: men are important, women are not. Most users mocking feminists are good products of the system. Games and movies shape us, how we see the world.

I'm old enough to know that this thread is going to become a flamewar and be locked in no time, just as any other thread that involves ideology: religion, politics, feminism... even Mac vs PC threads can go this way! But just think about it (all of you, not only l4chsnacken).

Hi, it's me, the OP.

OK so now the dust has settled...slightly

In a game that has a larger than the norm percentage of elves, dwarfs, demons, dragons, demons or mechanical means or murder it seems to me that it is geared towards a certain type of person. That person is probably not very interested in things like feelings and hair styles. That is not to say the demographic doesn't exist, it is just considerably smaller than majority. As such, with such a large audience, there will be a necessary bias towards more of the characters that feel they should fall within the 'mainstream' and will appeal to the masses. If you are going to change the introduction of new characters to ones that do not fit with the lore or environment to try and expand the game towards a newer audience, then you need to keep your existing players happy and entertained. If you try and flog them a load of gender neutral, tri-sexual, disabled methods of murder then there needs to be a good reason for that.

I didn't read 50 Shades of Grey and I don't plan on it. If the author introduces another book where Mrs Not-Yet-Grey decides to say fuck it all and embarks on a dragon killing quest with a magical dagger then I might be interested. At no point would I go on a 50 shades forum and grizzle about the lack of dwarfs in the original and how hard it is for those of my demographic to feel that they are included and have a believable character they can relate to.

This is why Hearthstone and unrealistic romantic novels are 2 different products geared towards different demographics. 

Also if you are trying to convince me that one tree is a gender neutral and another tree is a man as the second one has a mustache, you are barking up the wrong...hedge. New wave feminism is possibly one of the most inconceivably stupid inventions of this century. If you really believe in the right of oppressed women, leave California and go to the Sudan. Or the UAE or Pakistan. Your rights are not being oppressed by me choosing to play a male warrior in a video game - even if that character happens to be a scantily clad ork with a 6 pack and a fondness for hanging around with other scantily clad orks with 6 packs.

I'm honestly not sure why this thread needs 6 pages.

At the end of the day, lads, if a story writer wants to make their story about a bunch of blokes going out to fight in Azeroth, and somehow that story evolves over 20 years into what it is today, then why the hell should we insult their creative freedom by telling them what they can or cannot implement into their own fucking story?

Go home feminists.

Quote from sovereign1212 >>

The consumer is 99% male most likely so I'd say there is too many females based on population . Also why is there no Asian characters? No black paladins huh? What the fuck why is there no transgender heroes? WHAT THE FUCK NO GAY HEROES?!?!? 

I get it, question stuff, but kindly fuck off with these statements and questions. 

Yeah, I guess with a minimum of 4 months between updates, I'm going to end up learning way more "exciting" things about hearthstone via forums . . .

Doesn't really work, does it?

I think we can all agree that the whole Arthas story line would have sucked if this was the reality.

Quote from djsMedicate >>

Quote from Harroldo >>

Doesn't really work, does it?

I think we can all agree that the whole Arthas story line would have sucked if this was the reality.

 And this looks like Fanfic porn now, gz.