Sexism.

Last week in my Introduction to Mass Communications class we had a guest speaker who came to lecture us over my favorite topic: Video games! I've been anticipating this lecture since my Professor announced it. When I got to my seat I was practically bouncing with excitement. I didn't expect to learn too much since I am fairly familiar with the video game industry but nevertheless I was still so excited.

 Our guest speaker was a student from the College of Journalism who is currently working on his doctorate degree. His name is Brain Carter. His lecture was a nice change of pace for the class and he was entertaining. His lecture gave a great overview of the video game industry but one part particularly interested me. There was a slide on sexism, something I had expected to appear in this lecture. His endnote on the topic caught my attention.

Games like Duke Nukem, GTA and Dead or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball all have sexist themes in them against women. But what about sexism against men? Right before changing the subject, Brian mentioned the other side of sexism not commonly talked about.

The game is called The Boyfriend Trainer. You play as the girlfriend who is trying to beat her boyfriend into being the 'perfect' boyfriend. Lot of the girls in the room laughed at this, it sounds like a hilarious game right? As soon as he finished describing the game I punched the title into my Google search bar and got ready to play.

In this fantastic game there are four levels in which you click on your leprechaun-looking boyfriend whenever he is committing acts that go against your liking. In the first level you and your not-so-great boyfriend are sitting outside of a cafe, sharing a drink. The boyfriend, who we will call Chad, gawks at the girls every now and then.When this happens you smack him and the 'perfection bar' goes up. To clear the level you have to fill the perfection bar within the time limit.

The game only gets worse from here. Level two features the couple in a living room where Chad goes around throwing things on the floor and you taser him each time he does so. The third level the couple are in a different living room watching television. Every time he changes the channel or drinks wine instead of his juice (I'm surprised it wasn't in a sippy cup) you smack him with a fly swatter. In the last level Chad is finally on a leash. It's time for the couple to take a nice ride - or not. When Chad goes Speed Racer or turns up the music too loud for perfect girl friend's liking, she gives the driver's leash a nice yank, choking him in the process. Yes, lets choke the driver. Once this level is over you have finally trained the perfect boyfriend! Congratulations!

Or not. Somehow this game gained enough popularity for the development of The Boyfriend Trainer 2.

Sexism against men in video games is a rare thing. Although it exists, it has been limited mainly to simple flash games. I'm not saying I would like to see a game like The Boyfriend Trainer on a major console, but it shows how men are also getting their share of sexism.

I'd rather see things like this:

Yes, I know this isn't a game. But you have to admit - this commercial is awesome.

Yours truly,
HavokRose

P.S.
My little brother, bewarethebetray, is awesome. He requested I make you all aware of that.

MW3 Launch: An Overview

I thought falling in a hole was bad. The MW3 launch event was far more intense than the Gears 3 midnight launch and definitely wetter. Here are some pictures from the night:

Around 9:30 two store copies of MW3 were put into an Xbox and PS3. Through out the night gamers of all ages popped in and out of the store to get a sneak peak at the campaign. A few probably went in to escape the weather. 

This guy held open the door for several hours - a task meant for the GameStop employees. He also handed out flyers and greeted people as they came in the door! This gamer arrived at the store around 6:00 to wait for his pre-ordered copy of MW3 and was first in line.  

One thing I really appreciated about both of the launches I have attended is the tremendously helpful GameStop staff! Bringing a camera into any sort of store can be a risk but these guys and girls invited it. They also were great when disclosing information about what goes on behind the scenes and making sure customers had what they needed in order to get their game. Awesome staff! Also, they remembered me! 

Here are two of the decent pictures I took of the insane weather. I wasn't able to get a picture of the back of the building where a bulk of the people were waiting. I know they got hit the worst, they didn't have a sidewalk to stand on or an awning to stand under. 

I expected this release to be more popular than the Gears release but I wasn't expecting this number of people! There were so many people that the end of the line was right by the doors - just a few feet away from the beginning of the line.

Before

After!

Overall, I enjoyed the MW3 launch better than the Gears 3 launch. Standing in my drenched boots in the cold rain with a hundred other gamers made receiving the game more gratifying. I felt like I earned it. 

Sometime in the next week or so I plan on posting a review on the Elite service. Is it really worth it? 

Yours truly, 

HavokRose 

P.S. Did you get the game at midnight? If so, how did it go and what do you think of the game? 

MW3 Launch: 1:11

Game on.

MW3 Launch: 11:50

As if the weather knew it is almost time, the rain dwindles to a calm sprinkle. The thunder still rolls on reflecting the intensity in the gamers' hearts -

Okay but really the weather has calmed down! The thunder and lightning are still going on but at least we'll stop getting wet.

'THIS IS SO WORTH IT'
- A man in the crowd during the storm.
Ten minutes left!

MW3 Launch: 11:15

Troops, get ready for wave three. It's hailing.
-Kneezerz

MW3 Launch: 11:07

Only true fans would sit through this. My boot are soaking wet and the sky is definitely falling. People are screaming and some are running to their cars. Even under the awning I needy umbrella because the wind is so bad. This is where the true fans and the posers are separated.

MW3 Launch: 9:45

Can this get any better? This night is turning into a meteorologist's dream. After several spurts of rain and chilly wind, now an earthquake!?

Okay, it really wasn't that bad. We didn't even feel it. Lets just hope we can avoid tornadoes.

On the plus side it's feeding time for the gamers. Pizza and water bottles are being distributed to customers who have been waiting in line. Now we are just waiting for the trivia to win prizes! At least I hope they have it like they did at the MW3 launch.

MW3 Launch: 8:57

Tonight is going to be crazy. It's been windy all day but it picking up and it's been raining on and off. Luckily, we are being covered by a small awning. For those who didn't get here early enough to stand under it, I hope you brought an umbrella!

On the plus side the employees in GameStop got the okay to put on a few copies of MW3 into their machines. Early campaign? I think yes!

MW3 Launch: 8:01

Alright, I got here about 15 minutes ago and the line is already more than few shops down from GameStop.

The first people who got here at 6:00! Not as early as I thought they would be . They are actually a group I was next to at the Gears 3 launch. Let's see who else shows up!