I decided to catalog internet “grievances” over the Intergalactic reveal trailer at The Game Awards 2024.
Why am I doing this? Well. I.. don’t.. get it. So let’s do some science!!
It can be hard to pull out the true grievances from the layers of memes, obsession over like/dislike ratios, and content creators with questionable motives who financially benefit from outrage.
The quotes below are gathered from users on Reddit, X, Youtube and Instagram. I ignored anything that seemed purely spiteful and focused on repeating patterns.
On the Main Character’s Appearance 🔗
- Conventionally unattractive
- Head too small
- Made ugly on purpose
- Masculine features
- Androgynous
- “Her aesthetic makes me cringe”
On the “Girlboss” Archetype 🔗
- Chip on her shoulder
- Has attitude, snarky
- Abrasive personality
- Unlikable
- Unrealistic that a woman can beat several men
- “Not normal. Men nor women will relate to this character.”
- Angry, independent woman
- Overabundance of these characters
- A self-inserted Mary Sue
On Larger Agenda Pushing & Politics 🔗
- Many series franchises with previous male leads are now female
- Trying to eradicate femininity
- Trying to change what beauty is
- “Looks like ND joined the 4B movement”
- Intentionally provoking
- “Trying to convert women into lesbians”
- “It’s just posturing”
- Out-of-touch developers
- Preaching and propaganda
- A DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) push
- “They are coming for your kids”
- “I don’t want to be told how I should think”
Historical Grievances 🔗
- Neil Druckmann
- The Last of Us Part II (TLOU2)
- Killing Joel
- Introducing Abby
- “Going woke”
- Trans activism
- Invited Anita Sarkeesian to visit the studio
- Pushed Amy Hennig out
Did we learn anything?