In this essay I am going to apply a semiotic analysis to both the Tomb Raider and Metroid video games covers. I will argue that both Tomb raider and Metroid represent women in two different ways and will be arguing about the sexualisation to Lara croft and link this back to Laura Mulvey and the ‘Male Gaze’ and then the radical representation to Metroid and the main character Samus Aran.

I think Tomb raider takes advantage of the main character Lara Croft as she is dressed in revealing and clothes which is used to sexualise her and attract the straight male to buy their game. This is degrading to women as it sexualises her and draws attention away from the actual point of the game. Lara Croft is also positioned in a way to show her body as she is positioned to show her female attributes, for example her butt and breasts. They have also given her a very unrealistic body by enlarging her breasts while giving her a very petite torso. This then contributes to unrealistic beauty standards where many women and men believe that this is what women should look like. On the other hand, I can also argue there is a radical view as Lara doesn’t rely on any Male help during her quest. This then influences the gaming community to change their mind about women being the ‘damsel in distress’ and that only male characters should be the ones fighting.

This links back to Laura Mulvey and the Male Gaze in that the dominant signifier is designed in a way that she is sexualised. Laura Mulvey said “she is a character who’s appearance is coded for a strong visual and erotic impact”. Laura also states that women are presented as sexual objects to satisfy the heterosexual male.

The Metroid game cover completely covers the main characters body and hides her gender and identity by doing this. This then focuses the gamers on the actual game rather than the body and features of the character. The armour she is wearing shows a powerful and strong character. Most people believed the main character was a male, this links back to the reactionary view of women as women are believed to be the ‘damsel in distress’ whereas male characters are the heroes. Metroid counteracts the stereo type and shows a radical representation.