View
47
Download
1
Category
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
GLaDOS : Villain & Reluctant Mother. Shannon Powell, Augusta Rawlins-Rader, Alex Miller, Paula Stevens. Portal. Quickly made, inexpensive “extra” game in the Orange Box Set Not meant to be marketed to a mass audience You only see glimpses of the character you control - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
GLaDOS: Villain & Reluctant Mother
Shannon Powell, Augusta Rawlins-Rader, Alex Miller, Paula Stevens
Portal
• Quickly made, inexpensive “extra” game in the Orange Box Set
• Not meant to be marketed to a mass audience• You only see glimpses of the character you
control– She, Chell, never speaks
Aperture Science
• Stark colors• Science facility = masculine• First person shooter• Puzzle solving
GLaDOS
• Female, robotic AI• Only a voice• Starts off as guiding and nurturing• Ends up trying to kill you
Warm, Welcoming Character
• “Spectacular”
• “Speedy Things”
Passive Aggressive, Manipulative
• Gaining Your Independence
• "Vital Organs"
• "Not monitored"
• "Promise not to lie again"
Trying to Kill You, Fails
• "…then there will be cake."
• " pretended we were going to kill you …"
• She starts pleading
Final Stand
• “You broke my heart”
• Morality Core
Portal 2, Caroline
• “Yes Sir!”
• “I don’t want this!”
Masculine Effect on Feminine
• Victim or Villain? – Out of control female, augmented to control her– Created by men, in a science facility
Venus? Or Bondage?
/discuss• Given the fact that she exhibits so many female stereotypes in both games,
would you consider GLaDOS to be a stereotypical female character?• Do you think that the small design staff of the first game influenced the
richness and complexity of GLaDOS’ character & femininity?• What is the symbolism of GLaDOS becoming sexualized near the end of
Portal? Does her sexuality symbolize the breaking down of her “morality” and becoming a villain, or does it imply deeper definition of her femininity and character?
• Does the fact that the main character of the game, Chell, is also a woman influence the ways the player can perceive GLaDOS’ character maternal qualities, and/or femininity?
• Can you think of any other characters that have similar traits, narratives or back stories as GLaDOS?
Recommended