A Dissertation on Breast Size in Video Games
Or "Follow the Bouncing Ball"
As a female gamer, the large chested women in video games have never really caught my attention. Of course, I understand that many of the women with large breasts in video games are meant to attract male gamers, who find them visually appealing. I have absolutely no issue with this.However there are some things I do take exception to. The other day, I came across the image to the left in my Electronic Gaming Magazine. The immediate thought that crossed my mind was "What the hell?" followed by "Are those what I think they are?". Yes, Soul Calibur fans, Ivy has gotten a boob job. Now, like I said, I don't take issue with large chested women. In the past Soul Calibur games, I've actually been quite fond of Ivy. But I think that Ivy's new "makeover" has crossed the line into the realm of the ridiculous.
In the past, Ivy did have large breasts, and she did wear revealing clothing. I'm not going to argue that Namco completely changed her image. But, look at those things!
First of all, Ivy's outfit is completely idiotic for a fighting game. Those cloth's give her zero protection from the elements (i.e. cold, wind, rain, etc.) let alone from people swinging swords at her. Not to mention the fact that a well placed blow would break the tiny scrap of material that's actually holding her outfit together, letting the twins swing free. Ooooh, I wonder if they're going to include that move in the next Soul Calibur. Imagine, Soul Calibur IV: The Porn Legacy. I settle my point.
Let's say we ignore the impracticality of the outfit. After all, a lot of video game characters wear weird clothes that don't suit the task at hand. We still have the entire matter of Ivy's boob size left over. No real woman could ever have boobs that size, and if one did, they'd probably get a reduction. Each one of those things is at least the size of Ivy's head, if not larger. Compared to the size of Ivy's body, they look absolutely appalling. Also, the sheer weight of her chest would probably give her severe back pains, and throw her off balance in the fighting ring.
Come on, Namco...Can't you make Ivy sexy without inflating her like a Macy's Day Balloon? There have been plenty of women in other games that are sexy without looking like a fat man's butt has been impanted on their front.
Here are some examples
RozalinGame: Disgaea 2
Rozalin is one of the many characters in the NIS America Tactical RPG series that has a decent sized chest. Others include Priere from La Pucelle: Tactics (who also appears as a guest character in other games), Marjoly, The Female Healer and Kunoichi (Disgaea 2). Rozalin certainly isn't hiding her cleavage, but it certainly isn't hanging out like Ivy's, or even comprable in size. However, Rozalin is still a visually appealing female character, without being blown up.
Jeane
Game: Suikoden series
Jeane is certainly not shy of showing off her body. She often wears revealing outfits such as the one on the right, and flirts with many of the male characters. She also has large breasts and a very womanly figure. Unlike Ivy, her breasts are not overly large compared to her body size, and she looks fully capable of supporting what she does have.
LuluGame: Final Fantasy X/X-2
And now, perhaps the most famous of our well-endowed video game ladies, Lulu from Final Fantasy X. Lulu's dress isn't hiding anything, her cleavage is fully visible. However, she at least manages to cover the rest of her breasts, which are also of a normal size for her body type. (I'm still trying to figure out how her dress stays up, though. I'm betting it's either magic or super glue.)
This is only a small sampling of the women in games who have large breasts. They are sexy and beautiful without being ridiculous. So, in conclusion, Ivy doesn't need to be blown out of proportion to be a sexy video game lady, she managed that back in the earlier Soul Calibur games. Here's hoping that Namco will realize this mistake, and return Ivy to her former glory.
P.S. Now dedicated to Dad, who managed not to freak out. ^_^