An Issue Regarding Sexism with the Game/Forums

[Imagineer_V]

@LilRubyKinz

Discussion is the first step to solving any issue.

I think people are putting words in my mouth. I did expect you to have a different opinion and I appreciate you sharing it. It is a open forum and you have your right to free speech. As someone who does speech and debate this is also important to me.

@LilRubyKinz

Everyone is affected by the problem. Problems like this shape our media and our society.

Yes! Just not as directly. Does that make sense?

@LilRubyKinz

Personally, I am saying people are going about the problem in the wrong way.

That makes sense.

Things I have found offensive featuring explanations (do not feel offended)

@SlyFan

Also, it’s just a fact that Disney films have more males characters who comprise the staff than females.

I might be reading this wrong but something is off about it.

@Joey_Cannoli

get away from things like political activism, not be exposed to more of it!

It is not to be political at all.

@Gjmguy

This. Also, considering most of the old memorable Disney movies are prince saves princess stories, it is difficult to craft said female characters available into fighters for the game.

There are ways you can do it. Support heroes are a great way to use those older characters that are not fighters.

@SlyFan

the female/male ratio hardly matters in films

This is true, but again that is something wrong with society in general. I would love to see more female characters in supporting roles and stuff that we have not seen before. Pixar’s Luca is going to be doing this through the character Guilia and I am so excited. Bonus is that I am Italian.

@Pipsqueak

If we are looking for heroes who female players can feel empowered by, let’s not forget that the strongest and most overpowered hero in game for a long time was (still is!) a female

Does not mean that there cannot be more.

Spam comments that were flagged and I am not even going to quote them.

@Champion_David

A character with no actions will hardly be a role model, so why does it matter what their gender is?

To reflect the human population more, but I see what you mean.

@Champion_David

If you think someone is being sexist, but don’t tell them outright, then you are not helping the situation at all.

See if I were to do that, I would be the one getting attacked. Even when I implied it I was. I do not because of the fear I have and I am sure others feel the same.

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@LilRubyKinz

My point: we need to get over these superficial factors. It’s becoming a barrier to creativity. Whether a cast is fully male or fully female should not matter - the story should matter. The content of the character should matter.

Something I noticed when scrolling I wanted to just casually talk about. The movie I wrote only specifies the gender of a character for this reason and we did not even think about that. There are other statements I could say something to prove my agreement but I got stuff to do today.

[Tilarta]

A potental way to resolve this issue would be to incorporate the newer franchises, which are specifically focussing on more powerful female leads, Raya being the next closest one to release.
Judging from the trailer, there’s only one secondary male in a group of females.

Also, as I said above, for whatever reason, they’re intentionally disregarding a source of more female characters.
My theory is they aren’t utilizing tv series for some reason.

While The Little Mermaid was the standard girl wants to marry boy story, I remember thinking, Ariel’s not your typical damsel in distress, the start of the movie is her saving the male lead from drowning and at the end, she physically attacks Ursula.

This was always my favorite version of Spiderman:

Four spiders in one universe (Peter, Miles, Gwen and Anya).

[Commander-Rex]

@Tilarta

there’s only one secondary male in a group of females.

Well two, the fellowship of butt kickery dude and the let’s go kid. But yeah, and I agree. I like the Spider-Man 2017 show also. Anya is a especially underrated Spider and I wish more discussed her.

[Champion_David]

@Imagineer_V

Support heroes are a great way to use those older characters that are not fighters.

But you want there to be tanks, not supports? Kinda seems like a controversy.

@Imagineer_V

This is true, but again that is something wrong with society in general

If it is true, then what is wrong? I don’t understand.

@Tilarta

she physically attacks Ursula.

Uh…Perhaps I missed it between Ariel chillin on the waterless ocean floor and being shot at with lightning, but where exactly did she attack Ursula?

I thought the little mermaid had a great compromise. Eric is saved by Ariel then saves Ariel in the finale. Except for the part where they both pretty much helpless without the aid of crabs, seagulls, and fish…Nothing wrong with a movie having a strong animal character.

[Imagineer_V]

@Champion_David

But you want there to be tanks, not supports?

Well if a support is where they would be best in, there is nothing wrong with that.

@Champion_David

If it is true, then what is wrong? I don’t understand.

I think it needs to matter up to a certain point. Having more female characters in all different roles should happen but storytelling should not be negatively affected by it.

Little Mermaid was one of my favorites when I was younger and it still applies. I do not think Ariel is just someone who wants a prince and I liked her for the stuff that was not as obvious.

[Commander-Rex]

Ariel’s curiosity about the human world was what interesting about her, not just her interest in wanting a prince or whatever. She serves as a great allegory for young people that are curious and eager to try new things, at least that is how I view her.

[Imagineer_V]

@Commander-Rex

at least that is how I view her.

Same there.

[Tilarta]

Well, as I far as I can tell, because the females from the older franchises were not particularly tankish or combative, it would be hard to find one who fit in something other then support roles.
So between a choice of not having them at all or having them in support roles is the decision that has to be made.

Here is Ariel getting aggressive with Ursula:

[PawpsicleSticks]

@LilRubyKinz

I just think relating to someone is deeper than relating to the way they look.

I think that people can see anyone as a role model, regardless of whether or not they’re alike, but seeing someone like you is something special.

@Imagineer_V

In a way I feel slightly attacked for speaking my mind on something and that is NEVER ok.

It’s been surprisingly civil here?

@Tilarta

Here is Ariel getting aggressive with Ursula:

That looks like she’s bad at giving neck massages

PB may be straying away from characters that Sorcerer’s Arena has been using, to try and attract new players with ones SA doesn’t have. Hence oddballs like Rocketeer and Powerline.

EDIT: There is zero reason for this to have been flagged. It doesn’t break any rules.

[Mister_Toon]

What about Kingdom Hearts? Ariel got her hands and fins dirty when she fought against the heartless.

[Imagineer_V]

@PawpsicleSticks

I think that people can see anyone as a role model, regardless of whether or not they’re alike, but seeing someone like you is something special.

This is my point summed up.

Once again we are ignoring what I want to try to shift conversation towards.

[Filadae_Djaq]

And here I am wondering, just why was this flagged?

EDIT: Not just Pawpsicle’s comment, but Joey Cannoli’s too

[Imagineer_V]

@PawpsicleSticks

It’s been surprisingly civil here?

Invalidating someone’s feelings much? It does not have to be uncivil to have a certain negative feeling or emotion.

[Champion_David]

@Tilarta

Here is Ariel getting aggressive with Ursula:

Ah, thanks. I haven’t seen the Little Mermaid in a long while.

I’m afraid Ariel made a poor speed dive. She should have tried to snatch the trident away. Jasmine knows what’s up in Aladdin. Still, A for effort, Ariel.

@Mister_Toon

What about Kingdom Hearts? Ariel got her hands and fins dirty when she fought against the heartless.

I haven’t any experince with the franchise (Though it’d be cool to) but isn’t it…not canon?

@Imagineer_V

Once again we are ignoring what I want to try to shift conversation towards.

You want females to talk about their experiences of sexism within this game and forums. Quite Frankly…okay, know what? I’ll just poll it.

• I’m a female forumer
• I’m a male forumer

More than likely their will be a male majority. Since there is mostly males on the forums, you will probably be hard pressed to find candidates to discuss this thread with what you want it to be.

@Imagineer_V

Invalidating someone’s feelings much? It does not have to be uncivil to have a certain negative feeling or emotion.

Honestly, I get it completely. It’s an awful feeling when a bunch of people disagree with and debate you on a point you feel you are right on. To that regard, I’d suggest most of us backing off if we wish to continue this as a debate (against Imagineer’s wishes).

I suppose I’ll be doing the same.

[Mister_Toon]

@Champion_David

I haven’t any experince with the franchise (Though it’d be cool to) but isn’t it…not canon?

I just thought it be worth mentioning.

[Imagineer_V]

Alright… I know exactly what is happening here. Whoever receives this notification cut it out. If you want to talk let me know.

And if you really want honesty, this thread and what I have received because of it has made me recognize how toxic and unwelcoming the forums and the game can be. I was probably going to leave regardless of this thread.

[Commander-Rex]

Well, to change the subject finally like Imagineer wanted to do. I guess I’ll be the first to share some experiences I’ve had relating to the issue.

And of course, because I am a male, I cannot begin to explain how female forumers/players/fans of Disney feel. I can only shed some light on what it’s like to be a male Disney fan. Or at least what it’s like for me.

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My Experiences

So I guess since I generally have not faced a issue of pure sexism, I can shed light on a issue of a preconceived notion.

So a preconceived notion about males would br that people think all we would like is Marvel or Star Wars because we are a male. I myself can heavily relate to this. People (more than one) have often judged me immediately, they often completely question my being a Disney fan and immediately assume I am a Marvel or Star Wars fan because I am a male.

Granted, they are not wrong. I love both but that does not mean that just because I am a man means I have to love both. I could say I love Disney Princess movies, I could say I love classic Disney, I could say I love Pixar, etc, no one has the right to just assume what you like or what you do not like just because of your gender.

And also, sometimes I’ve been told that I can’t understand stuff about Disney because I’m “Masculine”. Sometimes, what people have said (not even just in the game or forums) has really hurt me and discouraged me from being a Disney fan. But I have pulled through and just tried to do the best I can as a fan.

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But enough about me

I really wish for you all to just try to empathize with Imagineer. Just because maybe more of us are males does not mean we should not even attempt to understand how females may feel.

No male can understand how a female is, and vice versa. We’re wired completely different and that’s okay. But empathy exists. And we must find a way to come together as people and as friends and realize that the issues present in the game and in the forums…often comes right from us. From me. From you, doesn’t matter who. It isn’t just males either.

I really didn’t want to have to make a comment like this to avoid going on a soapbox but honestly, it really is frustrating me to huge degrees. Just please try to understand how Imagineer and other female and even male forumers may feel. And maybe sharing your experiences will help with that.

We all have a dream and we all have a goal, but we do face obstacles. But what makes us who we are is not what happens to us, but what we do about it. How we react to it. How we change because of it.

Just reflect on this quote

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More connects us than separates us.

But in times of distress, the wise build bridges. While the foolish build barriers

We must find a way. To look after one another. As if we were one single people.

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That is all for now.

[Imagineer_V]

@Filadae_Djaq

This is getting ridiculous.

I said CAN be. I never said ALL THE TIME. I am very appreciative of my award and that you are enjoying my other lighthearted threads.

@Joey_Cannoli

all of us male forumers need to “be better”

Read what @Commander-Rex wrote about empathizing and you will understand. I am making general statements here.

[LilRubyKinz]

@Imagineer_V

I knew that. I also made the thread so those of you who are male could try to be better.

@Imagineer_V

I am making general statements here.

Certainly, a sweeping generalization and a rather offensive one at that.

Didn’t want to say anything more, but wow, that was quite a bold thing to say when nobody has said anything rude or disrespectful.

For the future, if you want to be impactful, it would be best not to alienate nearly everyone on the thread with a statement like that just because they don’t agree with you.

[Spark]

Although I am male and cannot understand exactly how you feel @Imagineer_V, I have faced anti- semitism ( I hope I can share that I am Jewish here and not face backlash) in of all places… my drama club (which was doing Seussical at the time, which does have a Disney feel to it) A person made an anti-semitic comment… and there is anti-semitism and sexism in places where there really should not be.

Just an idea so there is a balance of male/ female in game

If everytime they add two heroes at a time, one of them is female and one of them is male, this would not be as much of an issue.

when they add one character for the month, it should alternate between male and female…

But like @Commander-Rex said, if we treated everyone with respect and empathy, we would make it further in life- enjoyment.