Sexism Scandal! Naughty Dog refuses to keep Ellie off 'The Last of Us' cover
Take up your arms! A game company has besmirched the fairer sex! Or has it? Read on to find out!
The topic of sexism within video games has always been a controversial one, but never before have the flames been fanned over something like the packaging. Just a few days ago, Ken Levine of Irrational Games had to defend the company's choice for the BioShock Infinite cover which prominently displays male protagonist Booker DeWitt with no sight of Elizabeth at all. Immediately, fans cried foul at the supposed slight for the feminine focus of the franchise's latest entry.
Booker DeWitt on the cover of 'BioShock Infinite'
Following this small outcry came word that Naughty Dog refused a push to take female lead Ellie off the cover for their upcoming title The Last of Us. According to actress Ashley Johnson, who provides the voice and motion capture for Ellie, this is just an example of a larger problem when dealing with the portrayal of females in video games.
Ashley Johnson
This specific issue is a unique one that raises an interesting question. Are female characters purposefully passed up for the cover out of belief that it will better market the game?
Going back to the BioShock Infinite situation, Levine himself admitted that the choice for the cover was so as to target "frat boys." So, what are you saying exactly? That frat guys don't like girls? Do I have to resort to a book I read in my early childhood to prove how stupid that sounds?
This is a bro's world.
To be fair, Ken Levine did attempt to rectify the situation with a poll to choose the design for the reversible cover of the game (click here). There are some nice choices here I'll admit with #5 being my favorite followed closely by #4. Does this help fix the problem? Is it really our call to say how a game should or should not be represented? Ashley Johnson again gives her thoughts on this particular issue.
Not only on the cover but with a closer shot!
Out of curiosity, I looked up the covers for video games that feature prominent female characters. I'm not crying conspiracy here but it is interesting to take note of if the mindset of marketing video games is truly universal.
No sign of Alyx
Where's Cortana?
Chell's not here, man!
We got Anya and she's not even a major character!
BioWare at least gave us a reversible cover for us FemShep fans.
Controversy or coincidence? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!
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g1 DISCUSSIONS
Iron65
I think the main problem here is how female main characters are not appearing on the front... And I'm totally agree with you, because Cortana for example, is very overlooked... Now they decided to put her a "perfect body" to just call more attention. She deserves the most important spot in halo franchises! at least try to make one front with cortana!
ninjaeris13
So, am I misunderstanding or are people bitching because Naughty Dog decided to leave a female character on a game cover? How is that a bad thing? Explain please.
logicallydashing
Most people seem to be glad Ellie is on the cover. The controversy was just around an internal struggle within Naughty Dog (likely the marketing department) trying to push her off of it.
Dukemike
Stupid controversy is stoopid. I lack the ability to see what some people find offensive theese days. Maybe I'm just being too rational for Earth.
firehazard51
I personally think games should have the main character on front and other main/side characters in the background of the game. The other characters give it a better feel to what its going to be I think. Last of Us cover art looks freaking AWESOME and looks to show EXACTLY what the game is. Not to mention Last of Us title would seem off if it only had one person on the cover.
screamqueen3110
to all the companies that are afraid to put females on the covers of their games, wake up and remember tomb raider. that game was insanly popular, had an awesome female character who i loved and oh yeh she was on the front cover. grow the fuck up and reaize that woman play games too.
TWM
Wasn't Half-Life 2 released with 3 different covers, though (One for Gordon, Alyx and the G-Man)?
logicallydashing
Was that for the PC version? I only knew of the Xbox box art since that was the one I played.
TigerNightmare
So, who is it that's tried to make Naughty Dog change the cover? Sony?
KingSigy
That was apparently it. If you read this story over on Destructoid or Joystiq, NaughtyDog is quoted as saying the marketing executives at Sony wanted the cover changed.