Frankly, I'd blame the military and the government for being stupid, and trying to pretend that women aren't in combat, even as they award them CIBs and combat decorations.

Still, given the regs that women can't be in combat MOSes, I don't blame developers for not having women in, say, Modern Warfare--that's a (kind of) realistic, modern-set game where you're dealing with SAS and Ranger troops. It bugs a little more in America's Army...I was always annoyed I couldn't play as a woman there. (I know you're "supposed" to be infantry in that game, but we all know its a giant recruiting tool, so what gives, Army?)

I do appreciate military stores set in the future that allow you to play a woman (like Mass Effect, say.) It really does bug, if only slightly, to be forced to play a gender you aren't in a fairly open-ended story.

Oh well. Some day. (Btw if you are interested in the issue, the New York Times article that Kotaku links to is quite good.)

That said, I already loathe EA with the burning, burning passion of a thousand suns for their ridiculous account and DRM shit. So this is another line on the list of why I hate them, just on general principle.

Ash Burton wrote:

Why would they? Women do not serve in combat roles in the armed forces, and for good reason. If they are trying to create a sort of "realism" with these games, then why would there be a female amongst a unit of combat Marines or soldiers? It just doesn't happen. If the game took place as a supply unit, or a motor t company, then yes, I guess you could throw a couple of female pixels in there. Bottom line, women can't fight. Well, that's what Jim Webb tells me. http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/mediapolitics/2182.html

Well, I think part of the issue is that Battlefield, from what I understand, isn't a game that's exactly striving for realism. Like I said, I totally get why there'er no women in a Modern Warfare type game, but when the game is sci-fi/fantasy, even a military one, its nice to have the option. The issue of actual women in actual combat roles is a whole other can of worms, but at the very least, a fantastical game, I do like to be able to play as my own gender. For what that's worth.

Syd Lexia wrote:

I want an alternate reality MMO FPS warfare game that takes place during the American Civil War and everyone is a girl. You can either join the Union Army under the command of Ursula S. Grant or the Confederate Army under the command of Roberta Lee.

Okay, but only of Ursula gets to be a purple skinned half octopus.









Bam! Little Mermaid reference ftw!!!