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"A-are these right?"
Yes sweetheart. Yes they are.
Work in progress, Wallpaper version, behind the scenes commentary, and a bunch more ZeroSuit McCloud fun will be available on my Patreon soon!
http://www.patreon.com/DrayJay Thank you for your support!
Fox McCloud © Nintendo/Rare/Namco/Etc.
ZeroSuit © Nintendo
Artwork © DrayJay
Yes sweetheart. Yes they are.
Work in progress, Wallpaper version, behind the scenes commentary, and a bunch more ZeroSuit McCloud fun will be available on my Patreon soon!
http://www.patreon.com/DrayJay Thank you for your support!
Fox McCloud © Nintendo/Rare/Namco/Etc.
ZeroSuit © Nintendo
Artwork © DrayJay
Category Artwork (Digital) / General Furry Art
Species Vulpine (Other)
Size 1000 x 1278px
File Size 1.29 MB
There's a huge hubbub about Zero Suit Samus' high heels on the internet for the last few months. They're part of her updated look in the upcoming Smash Bros.
Feminism hates it, but the rest of us at worst think it looks a little silly, While others (like myself) find them kinda cool and brings to mind thoughts of portal.
Feminism hates it, but the rest of us at worst think it looks a little silly, While others (like myself) find them kinda cool and brings to mind thoughts of portal.
I just dont care enough to be honest.
Samus never struck me as one of those holy untarnished examples of proper heroic/intimidating/respectful female representation in videogames. We could start a whole discussion on that, but then it would contradict with my whole opening statement that it really doesn't matter enough to me at this point.
The heels give me a cool sci fi portal vibe, and that's why I dont find them entirely stupid. They dont come off as an attempt at sex appeal to me.
Samus never struck me as one of those holy untarnished examples of proper heroic/intimidating/respectful female representation in videogames. We could start a whole discussion on that, but then it would contradict with my whole opening statement that it really doesn't matter enough to me at this point.
The heels give me a cool sci fi portal vibe, and that's why I dont find them entirely stupid. They dont come off as an attempt at sex appeal to me.
I might not dislike them so much if it weren't for three things.
1. They look like they were inspired by a can of Monster and clash with the rest of the suit's design.
2. Samus is supposed to be tall and powerful enough that she shouldn't need high heels to stand taller than 5 feet and be stronger than a young everyday human in charge of a pacifistic furry village. Which leads into...
3. Her Brawl design is modelled after her Other M design, hence her being so short, lanky and busty. I try not to speak of that game anymore, because when I do, I end up writing entire essays on why it pissed me off.
1. They look like they were inspired by a can of Monster and clash with the rest of the suit's design.
2. Samus is supposed to be tall and powerful enough that she shouldn't need high heels to stand taller than 5 feet and be stronger than a young everyday human in charge of a pacifistic furry village. Which leads into...
3. Her Brawl design is modelled after her Other M design, hence her being so short, lanky and busty. I try not to speak of that game anymore, because when I do, I end up writing entire essays on why it pissed me off.
Other M is kind of makes the franchise feel like a lost cause. Really a sad thing. Unless Retro gets their hands on it again... I do also agree that the colors really clash.
But giving her average to strong human spectrum of strength really doesn't weaken her at all. Reliance on technology can be really cool.
But ultimately, more games made by passionate well rounded people just need to be made. I don't even expect larger companies to represent people (minorities and genders) properly. So it really doesn't come off as a big deal to me anymore. We're entering a new age where better videogame characters can be made by smaller entities that aren't limited or bound by an outdated marketing department.
But giving her average to strong human spectrum of strength really doesn't weaken her at all. Reliance on technology can be really cool.
But ultimately, more games made by passionate well rounded people just need to be made. I don't even expect larger companies to represent people (minorities and genders) properly. So it really doesn't come off as a big deal to me anymore. We're entering a new age where better videogame characters can be made by smaller entities that aren't limited or bound by an outdated marketing department.
Reliance on technology can be cool, yes. But not for Samus. The armor was always nothing more to her than a source of weapons and additional protection against things she couldn't handle without it {for example, the Varia Suit protecting against magma and heat damage}, it was never meant to be something she, a woman trained by the Chozo to be a killing machine and infused with their blood to give her their superhuman strength and agility, relied on to be strong. And when I hear Sakurai say that he repurposed the heels into something that brings her up to the strength level of the rest of the Smash 4 cast, that's really saddening, cause it implies that EVERY character in the game is stronger than her by default.
But you're pretty much right about what you said regarding those who make games now--that's why so many big-name companies hate indie developers so much, like Capcom's apparent negative feelings towards Lab Zero and Skullgirls, for example {Capcom at one point actually tried to blame Skullgirls for Street Fighter x Tekken not selling 2 million copies in one month, even though Skullgirls came out a full month after SFxT}.
But you're pretty much right about what you said regarding those who make games now--that's why so many big-name companies hate indie developers so much, like Capcom's apparent negative feelings towards Lab Zero and Skullgirls, for example {Capcom at one point actually tried to blame Skullgirls for Street Fighter x Tekken not selling 2 million copies in one month, even though Skullgirls came out a full month after SFxT}.
People are going to do what they do to their creations and there's little that can change that. Even in our internet run society. Besides, defending and protecting female characters too much might feel a tad... ironic? I dont know.
For starters, most people who play brawl (even metroid fans) aren't thinking of or are even aware of all the details of Samus' story cannon. I've only played the games, and nowhere do I see much information on Samus' superhuman abilities. I believe she may have been established as such, but I cant recall where exactly. I agree the shoes are a bit unnecessary, but my initial reaction was "oh cool! sci fi boots!" and not. "hahah, woman cant jump!" Unlike her peers, Samus seems to be grounded in a more realistic Newtonian bound universe where humans cannot jump 20 feet upward into the air. Strong or not. Most of her fighting peers are pokemon, or characters living in magical or cartoon based worlds... For me, rocket boots are a fun and reasonable element considering that it gives her a double jump, and a scientifically possible way to return to the stage when thrown off. Better than some second jump that appears out of nowhere with no explanation.
I think it's kind of ...unfair to assume too many people would interpret her design in a "women are weaker" kind of way.
For starters, most people who play brawl (even metroid fans) aren't thinking of or are even aware of all the details of Samus' story cannon. I've only played the games, and nowhere do I see much information on Samus' superhuman abilities. I believe she may have been established as such, but I cant recall where exactly. I agree the shoes are a bit unnecessary, but my initial reaction was "oh cool! sci fi boots!" and not. "hahah, woman cant jump!" Unlike her peers, Samus seems to be grounded in a more realistic Newtonian bound universe where humans cannot jump 20 feet upward into the air. Strong or not. Most of her fighting peers are pokemon, or characters living in magical or cartoon based worlds... For me, rocket boots are a fun and reasonable element considering that it gives her a double jump, and a scientifically possible way to return to the stage when thrown off. Better than some second jump that appears out of nowhere with no explanation.
I think it's kind of ...unfair to assume too many people would interpret her design in a "women are weaker" kind of way.
Actually yeah, the games were what established it, mostly in Super Metroid and Zero Mission.
And normally I'm sure they wouldn't interpret it that way, but having an element described as being there to make her strength {not jumping ability, physical strength} equal to the rest of the characters, combined with her shortened, muscle-lacking, super-feminine design and the fact that the last Metroid game was Other M? Yeah, unfortunate implications everywhere.
And normally I'm sure they wouldn't interpret it that way, but having an element described as being there to make her strength {not jumping ability, physical strength} equal to the rest of the characters, combined with her shortened, muscle-lacking, super-feminine design and the fact that the last Metroid game was Other M? Yeah, unfortunate implications everywhere.
We are well aware that the creators dont even care about their own cannon at this point. Though they are well within their artistic rights to lean away from certain established things they no longer favor. such as superhuman strength. Maybe they wanted her to remind people more of Tony Stark, or something? *shrugs*
You can rant and complain , and make wonderful points about how and why and what is wrong with all of this... But I feel like i've come all the way around this and have stopped caring... Especially when some of the design choices aren't actually as bad as we might make them out to be. Stepping back from all of this, and taking a look at what they've done.... all I can say is: it could've been so much worse.
You can rant and complain , and make wonderful points about how and why and what is wrong with all of this... But I feel like i've come all the way around this and have stopped caring... Especially when some of the design choices aren't actually as bad as we might make them out to be. Stepping back from all of this, and taking a look at what they've done.... all I can say is: it could've been so much worse.
>Maybe they wanted her to remind people more of Tony Stark, or something?
No, what it is is part of Yoshio Sakamoto's goal in Other M, that being to weaken Samus physically and emotionally, in a failed attempt to appeal to older, more traditionally sexist Japanese men. Sakurai tried repurposing it with Smash 4 and hopefully the upcoming Metroid game they have planned will bring back the real Samus, the one who's allowed to be 6' 3" and infused with the blood of those who actually raised and trained her for her entire pre-adult life {cause I notice Other M did its hardest to erase the Chozo too}.
No, what it is is part of Yoshio Sakamoto's goal in Other M, that being to weaken Samus physically and emotionally, in a failed attempt to appeal to older, more traditionally sexist Japanese men. Sakurai tried repurposing it with Smash 4 and hopefully the upcoming Metroid game they have planned will bring back the real Samus, the one who's allowed to be 6' 3" and infused with the blood of those who actually raised and trained her for her entire pre-adult life {cause I notice Other M did its hardest to erase the Chozo too}.
At least the spring boots in Portal looked good and practical. The new boots for the zero suit just look ridiculous, impractical, and obviously high heels rather than combat boots. Not going to boycott SSMB over it but I am rolling my eyes and shaking my head at them for it. They could have just added jets to the heels of her previous boots and it would have worked fine, they didn't have to go so over the top.
This pic on the other hand is very well done and made me laugh ^^
This pic on the other hand is very well done and made me laugh ^^
I just can't shake this feeling that its kind of a bandwagon sort of thing to disapprove of this design choice. They are impractical, they are ridiculous, no one is arguing that. However, they are a tad too ugly to look like effeminate high heels that people so openly object to. In any case, people are taking this way too seriously. All of this eye rolling and head shaking is going to cause eyestrain and neck pain.
Oh this is all just my honest feelings on the subject and not just jumping on a bandwagon for the sake of it. They are very ugly and would look stupid even if they had gone with a more practical design. I don't begrudge people getting upset over the new design because after the god awful mess of Other M, Samus deserves better than this. Ugly looks aside they are still high heels in a blatant attempt to flaunt her sexuality, and I feel anyone saying otherwise is just fooling themselves. But that's just my opinion, obviously Nintendo will do what they want no matter what we say.
Actually, you kinda did.
Like, over and over. We're talking full blown soap-boxing here. It's getting quite silly.
And since when did motherhood become a bad thing? Is motherhood something you yourself have experienced? If you haven't, how would you know?
Why is Samus forming a loving, caring attachment to something as one would their own child also a bad thing? Personally, I wish they WOULD show more motherly figures in video games.
Take that stinking hunk of shit, FFXIII. I think the single most compelling character in that game was Nora, Hope's mother, and she was only around for like five, ten minutes. And then they kill her. And you get stuck with her whiny, pain in the ass son instead. I think it was a lost opportunity. She had a wonderful character design. That sweater she was wearing had a weave pattern on it that I remember MY mother having on a sweater. It's something I wish they would explore more.
So you don't like sexy women. You don't like maternal women. What is your idea of an acceptable female role model?
Like, over and over. We're talking full blown soap-boxing here. It's getting quite silly.
And since when did motherhood become a bad thing? Is motherhood something you yourself have experienced? If you haven't, how would you know?
Why is Samus forming a loving, caring attachment to something as one would their own child also a bad thing? Personally, I wish they WOULD show more motherly figures in video games.
Take that stinking hunk of shit, FFXIII. I think the single most compelling character in that game was Nora, Hope's mother, and she was only around for like five, ten minutes. And then they kill her. And you get stuck with her whiny, pain in the ass son instead. I think it was a lost opportunity. She had a wonderful character design. That sweater she was wearing had a weave pattern on it that I remember MY mother having on a sweater. It's something I wish they would explore more.
So you don't like sexy women. You don't like maternal women. What is your idea of an acceptable female role model?
Actually, no, I didn't.
Like, never and never.
And really, you think I'm railing off against motherhood itself? Try actually reading what I said. Or better yet, play Other M, see how truly obsessed with "The Baby" they make her, the overwhelming focus on her being a woman, the inclusion of a horrid, outdated, sexist as fuck Japanese proverb, and tell me again that it's just Samus forming a parental bond like in Metroid 2 and Super Metroid--two games that Other M works very hard to contradict at every turn, mind you.
Yeah, clearly because I don't like Samus' current portrayal and Other M's sexism, I must hate sexy and maternal women full stop. Excellent logic.
Like, never and never.
And really, you think I'm railing off against motherhood itself? Try actually reading what I said. Or better yet, play Other M, see how truly obsessed with "The Baby" they make her, the overwhelming focus on her being a woman, the inclusion of a horrid, outdated, sexist as fuck Japanese proverb, and tell me again that it's just Samus forming a parental bond like in Metroid 2 and Super Metroid--two games that Other M works very hard to contradict at every turn, mind you.
Yeah, clearly because I don't like Samus' current portrayal and Other M's sexism, I must hate sexy and maternal women full stop. Excellent logic.
Um, yes, you have.
In every post you're all 'until Other M this' and 'before Other M' that. You're like a broken record.
And I HAVE played Other M, thank you very much. Yes, it's a crock of shit. No one here is defending Other M.
You do make one valid point, however, regarding the obsession over the baby. Obsession over ANYTHING is an unhealthy thing.
Just like your obsession with Other M, for example.
That's the point.
At the end of the day, it's just another video game, and a bad one at that.
There's no point in getting all worked up over it.
In every post you're all 'until Other M this' and 'before Other M' that. You're like a broken record.
And I HAVE played Other M, thank you very much. Yes, it's a crock of shit. No one here is defending Other M.
You do make one valid point, however, regarding the obsession over the baby. Obsession over ANYTHING is an unhealthy thing.
Just like your obsession with Other M, for example.
That's the point.
At the end of the day, it's just another video game, and a bad one at that.
There's no point in getting all worked up over it.
That's how things have been for a long time, and they will continue to be that way for a while. It's a bummer when marketing seems to take over so many elements of a game, it's even catastrophic when they steer it in a direction that betrays a franchise's own established rules/features/narrative/lore. Other M was a huge mistake, there's no question on that. We want to hold onto the idea that Samus could remain a decent representation for women in videogames, but that's very hard to find in the larger companies.
No one is debating that they are sexualizing Samus. However not everyone agrees (or should agree) that it's an entirely bad thing. We're sexual creatures, people want sexy. It's cheap maybe, but never criminal. Though many of us wanted Samus to stand out as an example of good non sexualized female representation, the truth is, life is just full of things we want, but will never get. It's never a good idea to strap an ideal too tightly to any fictional character...especially if he or she belongs to someone else. Does Samus deserve better than this? Maybe. But at least she's not a real human being. Lets always remember that. This is a character that belongs to Nintendo. To whine and dictate what Nintendo should and shouldn't do is kind of ... below us? Silly? Futile?, Waste of energy?.. Some people find the new high heels sexy, some people do not. To assert that all men would find it a "sexualizing" feature is kind of offensive to me in itself. To assert that Samus being appreciated for her sex appeal is this BAD BAD TERRIBLE THING is also kind of getting old. but that's a discussion for another day.
Do we want better female representation in games that relies way less on sex? Hell yes.
Are we going to get it from big companies? Rarely.
Is it maybe a better idea to focus more of our energy on supporting and creating smaller entities that make better games with better characters and story and lore etc? Yes. Please.
For me, those high heels are so ugly that it really didn't register as a sexualizing attempt until kotaku began to make article after article about it. Fooling myself? It's called difference in perspective and opinion. People are allowed to like Samus' new design, and there's really no point in letting that get to you.
it simply doesn't offend everybody, nor should it.
No one is debating that they are sexualizing Samus. However not everyone agrees (or should agree) that it's an entirely bad thing. We're sexual creatures, people want sexy. It's cheap maybe, but never criminal. Though many of us wanted Samus to stand out as an example of good non sexualized female representation, the truth is, life is just full of things we want, but will never get. It's never a good idea to strap an ideal too tightly to any fictional character...especially if he or she belongs to someone else. Does Samus deserve better than this? Maybe. But at least she's not a real human being. Lets always remember that. This is a character that belongs to Nintendo. To whine and dictate what Nintendo should and shouldn't do is kind of ... below us? Silly? Futile?, Waste of energy?.. Some people find the new high heels sexy, some people do not. To assert that all men would find it a "sexualizing" feature is kind of offensive to me in itself. To assert that Samus being appreciated for her sex appeal is this BAD BAD TERRIBLE THING is also kind of getting old. but that's a discussion for another day.
Do we want better female representation in games that relies way less on sex? Hell yes.
Are we going to get it from big companies? Rarely.
Is it maybe a better idea to focus more of our energy on supporting and creating smaller entities that make better games with better characters and story and lore etc? Yes. Please.
For me, those high heels are so ugly that it really didn't register as a sexualizing attempt until kotaku began to make article after article about it. Fooling myself? It's called difference in perspective and opinion. People are allowed to like Samus' new design, and there's really no point in letting that get to you.
it simply doesn't offend everybody, nor should it.
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