Unrealistic female body expectations are almost inevitable when it comes to female video game characters, but one website is out to change that.
Bulimia.com, a website that promotes recovery and support for those suffering from bulimia, published an article showing pictures of iconic female video game characters with realistic bodies. The hope is to show girls that their icons can look beautiful with bodies that more closely resemble those of average-sized women.
“If video game creators are going to pride themselves on accurate digital representations, then it’s time for them to get real about women,” reads the article on Bulimia.com. The images feature women such as “Bikini Girl” from Grand Theft Auto V, Cortana from Halo 4 and Jade from Mortal Kombat.
“We didn’t intend this project to be a commentary on whether or not comic books send the wrong message about body image,” a representative with Bulimia.com told The Huffington Post in an email Tuesday. “Our hope is that when viewers see these superheroes visualized in such a manner that they can identify with, they may feel better about themselves and realize the futility of any comparison between themselves and the fictional universes of Marvel and DC Comics.”
According to the article on Bulimia.com, “Girl gamers – especially young ones – could develop a skewed image of how the female body should look. This might mark the beginning of obsessive thoughts about their own bodies, and self-questioning as to why they don’t align with their perceived ideal.”
The differences between the two pictures for each character is definitive, but the realistic characters still look awesome – and ready to kick some serious butt. Take a look below: