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Anita Sarkeesian’s Misguided Criticism of CD Projekt Red
Feminist media critic Anita Sarkeesian took to Twitter to criticize CD Projekt Red, the developer behind the Witcher series and Cyberpunk 2077, for what she perceives as a lack of proper female representation in their games. While the tweet has aged some, her stanceand power in the gaming world have stayed fresh.
In her tweet, Sarkeesian made a clear threat, stating that if the company doesn’t start portraying women in a more positive manner, she would “have the internet drag you.” What does that mean? It sounds like she wishes to get someone canceled or fired for not doing exactly what she wants. I wonder if she had any demands for them?
Hey @CDPROJEKTRED, I'm always available for consulting cause it sure sounds like you might need it before the whole of the internet drags you for what sounds like some potentially sexist representations… which we all know you've struggled with in the past 😬 https://t.co/MZmcUDhLR0
— Anita Sarkeesian ✨ NEW SHOW OUT NOW (@anitasarkeesian) June 16, 2019
For those that do not know, Anita Sarkeesian is a media critic, feminist advocate, and public speaker who is best known for her work analyzing the representation of women and other marginalized groups in video games and popular culture. As mentioned on her website, Sarkeesian offers consulting services to media creators, particularly in the video game industry. She provides guidance on creating more inclusive and diverse representations in their projects.
Overall, Anita Sarkeesian’s work focuses on critically examining media representations, advocating for greater inclusion and diversity in popular culture, and fostering discussions about social issues in media and online spaces. She will rally the troops so to speak, when she sees something in a video game that may trigger her, in hopes to force change by way of political pressure. So as a consultant and huge influencer, her statement to CD Project Red about dragging them should be taken at face value for what it is, a threat if they do not change to meet her wants.
This statement “have the internet drag you” is problematic on multiple levels. First, it’s important to recognize that creative freedom is essential in the video game industry. Developers should have the liberty to create the stories and worlds they envision without being pressured to conform to a particular ideology or quota system. While representation is important, it should not come at the expense of artistic integrity or be forced upon creators.
Moreover, Sarkeesian’s threat to “have the internet drag you” is a disturbing tactic that seeks to weaponize outrage and encourage online harassment. It’s irresponsible to use one’s platform to incite dogpiling or abuse, even if the target is a large corporation. Criticism should be constructive and focused on the content itself, not a call to arms against individuals or companies.
Anita Sarkeesian has worked with a number of video game developers, including:
- Devolver Digital
- Double Fine Productions
- Triband
- Ubisoft
- EA
- Microsoft
- Sony
Sarkeesian’s work with these developers has helped to improve the representation of women and other marginalized groups in video games. For example, she worked with Ubisoft on the game Assassin’s Creed Syndicate to ensure that the game’s female protagonist, Evie Frye, was a strong and well-developed character.
She has also imposed her will on Psychonauts 2 (Double Fine Productions): Tim Schafer, the founder of Double Fine Productions, stated in a testimonial that Anita worked with them on Psychonauts 2. He mentioned that she helped identify and address representation issues in the game that the team had overlooked.
It’s also worth noting that Sarkeesian’s criticism of CD PROJECT RED seem to be based on a single blog post from a random gamer complaining that cyberpunk depicts women primarily as prostitutes and strippers to be viewed or used by male characters, or as supplementary characters.
Cyberpunk 2077 is set in a dystopian future where various forms of oppression and inequality are rampant. The lack of female representation may be a deliberate choice to reflect the harsh realities of that fictional society, rather than an endorsement of sexism.
Sarkeesian’s history of harsh criticism towards the gaming industry has earned her a mixed reputation. While some praise her for raising awareness about sexism in games, others argue that her approach is too extreme and dismissive of nuance. Her consulting work, in which she advises developers on how to create more inclusive games, has also been met with skepticism by those who fear it could lead to creative compromises or a push for ideological conformity.
Ultimately, the issue of female representation in video games is complex and deserves thoughtful discussion. However, Anita Sarkeesian’s confrontational approach and use of threats do little to advance the conversation. Instead of promoting understanding and collaboration, her tactics risk further polarizing the gaming community and stifling creative expression. The industry would be better served by open, respectful dialogues that acknowledge the challenges of representation while respecting the right of creators to tell the stories they want to tell.
Should we question purchasing our games from companies that she consults?
