Microsoft has issued a caution to developers on its official site, advising against the creation of female characters with exaggerated body proportions. The site, titled “Product Inclusion Action: Help Customers Feel Seen,” includes a list of considerations for developers when working on their products.
The language used on the site has been criticized by some for reinforcing negative gender stereotypes. The site asks developers to consider whether they are reinforcing any negative gender stereotypes, unnecessarily introducing gender and gender barriers into their code or design, and whether their female characters are equipped with clothing and armor that fits their tasks.
The site also asks developers to consider whether they are creating playable female characters that are equal in skill and ability to their male peers and whether their female characters have exaggerated body proportions. The site encourages developers to show male characters who display a full range of emotions, including joy, sadness, and vulnerability, when the story allows.
This guidance comes at a time when Western game developers are rallying against objectification in games and citing unrealistic beauty standards set by fictional characters.
read more > nichegamer.com