League of Legends (LoL) is a battle arena game that has become ubiquitous in the world of eSports and online gaming. Players are drawn to its captivating gameplay and diverse set of champions, which are individual character avatars, each with their own unique abilities and playing styles.
Yet, as we take a closer look at these champions, some glaring disparities become evident. One such instance is the observable discrepancy in the design and portrayal of male and female champions. This article will dissect the extent of this issue.
How Female Characters are Conceived
Female champions in LoL are usually depicted in clothing that highlights their sexuality. They are often designed wearing revealing outfits, accentuating their body’s curves. This results in a hyper-sexualized portrayal that is less about character depth and more about visual appeal.
The role of these female champions often leans towards the support category: healing and empowering their allies. Their kit, although potent, generally leans towards non-aggressive styles of gameplay. This typical gender role can be seen as limiting and reducing the representation of women to support characters almost exclusively.
Moreover, their lore (background stories) is often closely tied to their appearance and attractiveness. This feeds into the objectification of these characters, reducing their existence to mainly physical attributes. This can inadvertently promote gender stereotyping, as these female characters’ abilities are often downplayed and overshadowed by their sexualized portrayal.
Even the strong and powerful female champions are not immune to sexualized designs. They are often shown in form-fitting or revealing armor which does, more often than not, impractical in real-world combat scenarios.
How Male Champions are Conceived
However, the design approach for male champions stands in stark contrast. They are portrayed as empowering figures, designed to be awe-inspiring and heroic. Fashion choices for male champions focus more on practicality and intimidating designs, not sexual appeal.
Male champions in LoL encompass various roles such as tank, assassin, and damage dealer among others. They are not limited to certain roles like their female counterparts, thereby showcasing a wider range of possibilities and strengths.
Their abilities are often flashy and impactful, reflecting their role as the team's spearhead. The lore of male champions focuses more on their accomplishments, strengths, and story arc, rather than mere physical attributes, unlike many female champions.
Male characters such as Garen or Jarvan IV, who epitomize the heroic archetype, are adorned in practical armor that suggests strength and invulnerability, rather than designed with unnecessary features aimed at flaunting their bodies.
Moreover, there are non-humanoid male champions like Skarner or Kog'Maw, who are designed more for their intriguing characteristics and abilities rather than their physical allure.
Sexual Objectification Vs. Power Fantasy
The discrepancy between the portrayal of male and female champions could be attributed to two contrasting concepts: sexual objectification and power fantasies. Female champions seemingly fulfill the former, while male champions embody the latter.
In the case of female champions, their designs tend to portray them as objects of sexual desire, setting unrealistic beauty standards. On the other hand, male champions are designed to embody power fantasies, creating characters that players would aspire to be.
This underscores a larger societal issue, where women are often sexually objectified, while men are presented as powerful, often heroic figures. Such patterns set a precedent that may bear an unconscious impact on players' perception towards gender roles and stereotypes.
Arguably, the depiction of male and female characters in a game should not necessarily adhere to societal norms. However, designers should avoid an over-reliance on gender stereotypes, particularly when it comes to the objectification of female characters, as it sends a troubling message about the role and value of women in society.
The Need for Change
Game developers like Riot Games, the creator of LoL, have a responsibility to promote inclusivity and diversity in their games. This includes being conscious in their character design approach, considering the diverse demographic of their players.
Celebrating diversity would entail creating characters that are more reflective of real-world people in terms of shape, size, color, and role. It would also mean breaking away from the typical gender roles and stereotypes that have long dominated the gaming industry.
Developers ought to recognize the influence they hold over their player base's perception towards gender roles and stereotypes and use it to promote healthier and more diverse representation.
While the gaming industry has begun to address this issue, it still has a long way to go. As players, we can hope for an environment which celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and equality. A world that refrains from over-sexualizing female characters and explores a myriad of character types for both genders.