From: BECKERDJ@DAYTON.BITNET
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp
Subject: Re: Sexism & Racism in FRPs
Date: 6 Apr 92 20:44:00 GMT

In Article 4435 of rec.games.frp, rhr9081@hertz.njit.edu (Ray Rich) writes:
>In article <9203260058.AA05885> beckerdj@UDAVXB.OCA.UDAYTON.EDU writes:
>>      As far as scatily-clad women beating up icky bad guys goes, I
>>am perfectly able to live without that kind of art.  Soft porn is readily
>>available in our society to those who want it, and I don't see the need
>>to put any on the cover of my gaming stuff.  I vote for dumping it.

>       I don't really understand what the big deal is.  If scantily clad
>fantasy characters are so bad, I guess you don't like the Cistine Chapel
>or other such classic works of art that feature nude or semi-nude figures.
>Granted, the intent is entirely different as the Rpg companies are using
>such art to attract the attention of adolescent teens, but I wouldn't call
>it soft porn.
>       I can respect art and artists who can do it well.  As long as there

  I have nothing against the Sistine Chapel, the David, or the Venus
deMilo.  These are clearly classic works of art which glorify the human
body and bring out the inner beauty of the subject.  I don't like females
wearing 4-inch steel plated heels, a G-strip, and a big smile on the cover
of a generic fantasy role-playing supplement.  I also don't like seeing
men on steroids clad in naught but a squirel-skin.  To my mind, this is not
great art.  Larry Elmore != Leo DaVinci.

>To those who object that chainmail bikinis and the like are unrealistic,check
> what newsgroup you're on.  This is "fantasy" role-playing.  The artist
>is not trying to convey history or realism, he's (a) trying to sell the damn
>book and (b) make the picture pleasing to the viewer.  Since gaming appeals
>predominantly to a young male audience, chainmail bikinis, cleavage, and the
>like seem to be in order.

 Swell.  I am not on a crusade to ban slinky paintings.  You want it?
Great, go out and buy it.  I won't stop you, preach at you, or even make
faces.  I just know that I am (a) less prone to the damn book with the
scanitly clad floks and (b) am not pleased by viewing it.  I am a young
male (21 yrs), my gaming group is 90% composed of young males, and none of
us seem to have been influenced by buying stuff with cleavage on the cover.
I don't enjoy being grouped with those who _do_ see cleavage as a positive
inducement to buy a RPG supplement.

>>ice warrior as unsetting as a white arabian camel rider.  In fact,
>>I am still puzzeled by TSR's _Dark Sun_ setting which features what seem
>>to be albinos running around in 120 degree rays.  Must be a Lake Geneva
>>thing.  :)
>       I do agree with you on this.  In my campaigns, the locale and climate
>determine the racial types, not fantasy stereotypes (i.e. no fat Arabic
>shieks, or savage Zulu warriors).
>                                                       Raythrax

Well, at least we agree on _something_!  :)


                        --Boomer--

Derek Becker == BECKERDJ@UDAVXB.OCA.UDAYTON.EDU
"Not only do I know my name sir, but I know more than you do. For
 I have a Master's Degree, in science!" -- Dr. Science