Bikini Armor Battle Damage

Poking fun at risks of being a half-naked Strong Warrior Woman. Home of the Female Armor Bingo card

[eschergirls]

@xinefury submitted:

"From Batman Catwoman # 3 I had to do a triple take to figure out she was wasn't bottomless."

Given how sheer and/or skintight that outfit is to hug her bellybutton like that I'm actually shocked that Helena doesn't have cameltoe tbh. Also, I guess she feels there's no need to armor anything but her boobs.

Otherwise, she actually looks pretty decent, probably because she's like a nude anatomy practice piece with clothing coloured on top. xD

Helena could really use a cape.

Also paging @bikiniarmorbattledamage since this is more your area.

(Panels from Batman/Catwoman #3 (2021), DC Comics)

Text of first image for screenreaders:

Helena Wayne/Batwoman: A body in Port Orange, Florida. Joy. But aren't you the Commissioner of Gotham, Dick? Commissioner Dick Grayson: It was an elderly man. Living alone in a retirement community. Throat slashed ear to ear. Found him days after it happened. He was wearing makeup, some had come off. Under the makeup... his skin was white.

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

In the era of AI slop I keep thinking "at least bad human artists are doing human art", and then I see something like this and remember that being just a step above soulless plagiarism machine isn't much of a bar to clear.

You'd think that long decades of unfortunate costume choices would make higher-ups at DC and Marvel hand out notes to artists to NOT design bodypaint-thin superhero tights in colors that (depending on lightning?) blend with the character skintone, making her look like she's going commando... But nope.

Or is that ANOTHER evolution of the skin-tight, bullet-proof "batkevlar"?

~Ozzie

I was honestly so confused by this on multiple levels:

The cuirass thing looks like it was actively designed to be harmful to the wearer, like be the opposite of protection.

What happened to Wayne enterprises they can't afford the rest of her costume? Not even some boots or a belt?!

What is the point of transforming Helena from Huntress into Batwoman if they're going to make her costume worse?

Did anyone think about how this costume would look in dramatic scenes? Seriously.

There is literally no way to present it the doesn't distract from the scene at hand to make you wonder what she's wearing and why she hasn't changed into literally anything else.

– wincenworks

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

Okay, so remember literally 1 post ago when I made a joke about when will Marvel Rivals give us Matt Murdock in peekaboo briefs? No update on that, but we have Captain America homoerotic edition with a massive bulge released at the same time as fem!Loki.

Kenneth Shepard has done a write up on Kotaku and his personal BlueSky account. It does tap into a thing I've noticed over the man years of finding stuff for our tag of True Male Empowerment: That when mainstream products in our society objectify men, they do it both as a one off (this costume is available for a limited time only, as is the DareDevil swim costume) and primarily for other men.

And I do mean as a one off, gay men are happy to discuss how they notice the lack of a spectrum of sexualization in male character from video games and similar media despite the claims "sex sells":

Part of this is doubtlessly that society has, as Verily Bitchy observed, created a weird situation were all sexualization of men seems "gay", but also a lot of these characters are so hyper-masculine that creators don't want to make them seem vulnerable and approachable (qualities widely considered more attractive in men than chiseled abs). Matt and Steve can only wear costumes that allow them to flex how powerful they are - being seductive is for Black Widow and other ladies.

This, weirdly applied even to the sexy Gambit outfit they did previously, based on the Hellfire Gala look but made more aggressive.

You know, Gambit. Remy LeBeau. They guy who is famously smooth, puts women at ease and also oddly emotionally vulnerable in his love for Rogue (despite decades of being unable to touch her). Apparently he needed like a big scary amulet and more coat (presumably for fear of seeing the curve of his buttocks).

It continues to be very strange how whenever mainstream products try to oversexualize male characters, they manage to both be homophobic and super-homoerotic.

– wincenworks

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

Oh hey Marvel Rivals... funny seeing you again.

It seems their latest marketing attempt is to promise you that they've made a Black Widow skin to be the most impractical, ridiculous beach attire that will let you imagine she's wearing (link is nsfw) a cup-less bondage harness. Of course, they've also added Daredevil as a lifeguard in generic swimming trunks as a weird attempt to get ahead of sexism claims.

Matt Murdock in peakaboo swimming briefs with the DareDevil logo right above his crotch when you cowards!? Show us the footage to confirm the modelling will show us the juiciness of his 🍑.

As we're previously covered, the games industry is currently suffering the predictable consequences of going all in on the "sex sells" myth and regulation dodging gambling with their customer base moving from games to actual sex workers (who we support) and actual unlicensed, unregulated gambling (which we cannot condemn strongly enough).

Unfortunately, it seems that the big players in the industry continue to lean into this with nonsense like this, with EA Games firing people to boost profits and lean into AI, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney insisting all future games will need to participate and Riot Games proudly partnering with fascist-friendly Twitch-clone: Kick

If you're not familiar, Kick is the platform that exists to promote unlicensed, unregulated crypto gambling and features infamous looks-maxxer and shameless hate-monger Clavicular along with the worst people calling themselves streamers. Many of whom who had to leave mainstream platforms (or couldn't upload on them) due to "controversy". That's now officially associated with League of Legends.

Cannot emphasize enough how much this sucks.

– wincenworks

[yanavaseva]

The Guy Not To Worry About

This guy is actually one of the players from the sword dance picture. He’s really into bladed weapon sports and historical reenactments, in part because of the advantage in hand to hand combat due to his precognitive abilities. Well, at least against opponents that don’t also have them.

Design-wise he started off as a “someone with higher socioeconomic indicators in regards to Stabri” and so he’s got some common themes to previous pictures. And to some I sketches with notes I haven't posted because I would have to organize them better for showing.

He doesn’t hold any particularly important position (evident from all his free time) but can trace his ancestry all the way to at least one person found in a textbook and several people with titles. Through millenia of selective pressure, precognition and similar abilities (such as thought sensing) have become very common among the upper classes (as they're very useful for staying in power). He seems to do everything with effortless grace.

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

The ornate, yet skimpy battle outfit definitely does communicate his aristocratic status. And of course it totally makes sense for a guy with precognitive abilities to not need much in terms of protection. If being good at dodging fully justifies gladiatorial combat in a generic bikini armor, then precog powers justify fighting with bladed weapons and your entire male-presenting chest out!

~Ozzie

[blumineck]

I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed…

I’ll go into more detail on Patreon this week

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

Speaking of historic costumes bringing potentially more flavor than expected. It's really weird how in period movies/series there's a whole spectrum of visual language between slavish devotion to historical accuracy and stylized but well established clichés... and more often the not, new iterations of the same story/time period just err on the side of cliché, even when writing and tone aim to be gritty/realistic (like, say, a Christopher Nolan movie).

In case of our blog it usually means employing double standards and overt sexualization of female characters, but it can be a lot more trivial.

~Ozzie

[ravangie]

She's back with a vengeance 🔥🗡💔🏰💥

More of Princess Charming here

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

What I never expected to feature on our blog is gender-flipped Shrek fanart, but can't say I'm complaining. Prince Charming does indeed translate beautifully into a warrior woman, full plate armor included.

Makes you go "I support women's rights and also wrongs."

~Ozzie

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

An important quote from the video:

But an important clarification to make is that the difference between men and women's body issues is that men's are not primarily driven by cultural backlash but market opportunity, baby (2:53)

~Ozzie

That's been pretty topical lately due to a "looksmaxxing" influencer Clavicular being visibly on the verge of complete collapse with lawsuits, drug overdoses and multiple tantrums where he walks out on interviews (but weirdly not the one with Piers Morgan, who claims to be more attractive than him).

But, more relevant to games, there's currently a hilarious situation where the "why did you make women ugly" crowd is at least one of them (specifically one who led a charge over Ciri's face) recently got paid to sell up objectively ugly bikini armor for a terrible game made by a shitty reactionary (also after their art lead promised it's not about using horny for marketing).

(For extra context, the CEO who insists "modern audiences" don't exist is primarily making bad knockoffs of the critically acclaimed, super financially successful and generally awesome Dark Souls games.)

We also had Code Violet, an objectively terrible game that "no ugly chicks in my games" don't want to recognize as terrible.

Truly, those who assign supernatural significance and powers to arbitrary and capricious beauty standards are the worst enemies of both their hobbies and themselves.

– wincenworks

[the-cytherean]

They say the ancient elves could craft armour so powerful that it barely had to cover anything to work.

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

Think of the agility bonuses! Think of the empowerment!

Now this is an elven champion who would repel the hordes!

– wincenworks

[eschergirls]

Donate to fund Ami's robotic mesh rectopexy repair in Madrid, Spain, organized by Ami Angelwings

Hi I'm Ami Angelwings, you may know me as the person who runs… Ami Angelwings needs your support for fund Ami's robotic mesh rectopexy repai

As I mentioned previously, I am getting surgery for a debilitating health condition I've been dealing with 14 months (dragged out because of doctors' misdiagnoses) that's basically destroyed my quality of life. I'm in pain daily.

Unfortunately, the surgery can't be done in Canada because it requires expertise (details in the GFM). Also because I'm trans there are surgeons who just don't want to take my case or are prohibited by their hospital from doing it (a US surgeon was going to operate but was stopped by her hospital considering it "gender affirming care").

So I have to go to Madrid for it which will cost €40,000 (approx $60,000 CAD, Canadian Dollars). I don't expect to raise all $60,000, but I am trying to raise half of it ($30,000). My family will be helping with the other half,

I don't really expect to get the $30,000, because it's a LOT of money, but I'm in a desperate situation and in pain every single day. If you could donate anything or even just boost and share to any platforms/communities you can, it would help me so much. <

I don't like asking for money and I don't like using EG to fund raise, and I know it's a tough time for everybody right now economically, but as I said I'm desperate, so I hope you all understand me using my platform for this.

If you want more details on what my condition and surgery are, they're in the GoFundMe post. I'd appreciate any help anybody can give.

You are welcome to share the link wherever you want.

Thank you,

Ami Angelwings <3

Edit: if you're getting an infinite loading screen after trying to donate, the solution is apparently to turn off your adblocker.

Alternatively, you can PayPal me at https://paypal.me/amiangelwings and I'll add you as an offline donor on GFM! (also thank you)

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

Taking a break from our usual content to help a friend in need!

Ami is godmother of BABD, on account of @eschergirls being direct inspiration and also the mutual friend who connected us with each other. She is a wonderful person, and has been doing great work educating and encouraging people since the days of LiveJournal.

To anyone who's in a position to, please donate! And everyone please spread the word!

~Ozzie & - wincenworks

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

The UnHorny Valley

So, lately we came across this shitpost by @wyrmforge which provides us with some helpful vocabulary for a lot of stuff BABD talked about over the years.

While what constitutes "True Pervert Ascension" might vary depending whom you ask (we're partial to the hornyness of Hades games, for example), the UnHorny Valley* is that pit of character design in which "sexy" female character's appearance is dictated by tired tropes/conventions/creepy marketing guys rather then genuine attraction and appreciation of what humans find interesting and hot in others. The moment we slide into this valley is when assumptions of what arouses people are made (like "more tits and ass = sexier") rather than artists genuinely embracing the horny and doing something creative with it.

And as we said many times before, "sex sells" only if you're selling a sexual product, not when using dubiously "sexy" imagery to boost interest in any random thing. So half-heartedly slapping cleavage on a generically pretty action game lady in hopes of selling more copies does read as insincere, manipulative and insulting to the target audience.

~Ozzie

Here's a non-exhaustive list of examples of UnHorny Valley we posted about before: X Blades | Scarlet Blade | Stellar Blade | League of Angels | League of Maidens | Haydee | Applibot games

*The name is a reference to the Uncanny Vallley, a term originating in robotics (and widely used re: character design and computer graphics), which describes something looking close enough to realistic without yet being either real or appealing, creating an eerie sensation in observers (think: robots with mannequin-like faces, overdetailed CGI, AI-generated imagery). For illustrative explainer, check this article: Close But No Cigar by @coelasquid

@wyrmforge (Tart) on: Bluesky/Twitter/Instagram

[ironlily-art]

Ultimate practical solution of boob armor.

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

Personally it never stops being funny to this isn't the more popular solution to "how can we have boob and armor" in various media since it's well established that in the real world:

surcoats were a thing, and

many elite would wear stuff like this with a cuirass:

So in fantasy settings where you have access to illusion magic - why would you not sneak in an Uno Reverse? Or y'know, take it to the limit.

– wincenworks

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

I feel like this is probably the clearest mainstream demonstration of how even marketing professionals know that bikini armor and general objectification of bodies (especially women's) is not popular because it works or "sex sells", its popular because it avoids having to engage with the actual product. Or, as it has previously been put - the emergency bikini button.

This is how Netflix markets the collection:

And this is how the first part was marketed before it bombed and once again confirmed that Zack Snyder is not a movie making god, he is a guy who was good at music videos during an era (notice the blurb glosses over Justice League).

"We have Dune/Star Wars at home..."

It turns out people didn't want Dune/Star Wars at home, and without that shorthand, the only thing they can think of to try to sell it robot boobs or the combination of manboobs and uninspired CGI monsters.

Sex sells as a marketing strategy for anything other than sex/porn/erotica/etc is the clearest indicator that your marketing team don't see anything of value in your product either because it's not there, or because they don't understand the appeal.

It is the warning sign that either you need a new approach, or a new marketing team.

– wincenworks

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

So, I thought it'd be fun to look into Marvel Rivals latest update, the Season 7.5 release (back in my day seasons were only integers), the one, the only: Black Cat, aka Felicia Hardy.

Interestingly there was a leak for this, and it looked different:

Much more like she does in the comic, canonical, as the kids might say. Weirdly with the stiletto heels that they opted not to put on the final release... with the cleavage cut that goes into her armpits rather than a natural anchor point, and nipple diamonds.

Also, if you'll indulge me an absolute nerd moment - I note from the video that they went out of their way to give her dumps like a truck.

But real Spider-Man fans know that MJ is the one with the killer butt.

But... why that weird top window that has the bits on the side? Well it seems that it's because in order to use her abilities, Felicia does some @eschergirls bullshit and they wanted to optimize side boob.

And yet, they went out of their way to make sure we see neither ass nor man-boobs on Gambit, a fellow famously sexy master thief. I mean I know he's married now but that didn't stop them from making his wife, Rogue, flaunt both! Where's MY empowerment!?

And yeah, she has an alternative outfit and it's... I can't even.

– wincenworks

[duckbunny]

media literacy includes understanding why a media product was made, to whom it's being sold, and the assumed preferences of its marketing demographic. narrative is not produced or sold in a vacuum.

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

Part of that media literacy is also noticing and pointing out when media product is in conflict with itself regarding what it's about, whom is it for and how it's trying to reach its demographic.

As our last week post elaborates on it, sometimes media hinges on some insulting assumptions about its audience and their preferences. That's how we end up with video games trying (and failing) to bite into the market of pornography and gambling rather than doing its own thing. All in pursuit of easy profit (through "sex sells" and/or micro-transactions and/or addictive mechanics rather than providing a decent entertainment product).

~Ozzie

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

There's so much going on in this one, (especially with the evil is sexy trope) but mostly I want to talk about it in terms of this weird trend I've noticed with many game publishers like Kalypso Media.

For those not aware, Kalypso Media is a publisher who work mostly with Realms Forge Studio to release the same game over and over, and buying licenses of old games so they can re-release them and/or release sequels as another avenue of making the same game over and over. Dungeons 4 (with its 4 DLC like Double Trouble) and sits alongside Tropico 7, Sudden Strike 5, and double digit Railway Empire games.

This approach necessitates that this core portfolio of games is not especially demanding - in fact a lot of them just leave "system requirements" blank on PC advertising because if you can run Windows 10 and Steam, you can probably run the game.

So what is Dungeons 4? And what does the gameplay look like? Do you expect it to be a dating sim graphic novel where you must choose which of these dark elves you marry?

We'll you're in for disappointment because the core gameplay is looks like a cheaper version of other inexplicably sexy marketing offender, League of Legends. At least they made a token effort with the boys, thought I think they're still not fully empowered.At least they made a token effort with the boys, thought I think they're still not fully empowered.

I'm not convinced this is helpful advertising from a customer information perspective. I recognize this is a long tradition in video games, but at least back in the 80s we were more honest about it and frankly, more creative and more hliarious when you compared to the predictable product. (ht: videogamehistory)

–wincenworks

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

Games Are Losing The Attention War With Gambling And OnlyFans

A new industry report paints a harsh picture of gaming's present challenges and future prospects for growth

I want to open with some joke about this is the future that gooners and executives want, but this is ultimately the inevitable outcome of leaning into "sex sells" and incorporating gambling elements into games.

Actual sex products and actual gambling will always offer a more compelling "grown up" alternative to games that substitute gooner material for design and teach kids the thrill of gambling (but without a chance to win something of actual value).

Also notable that most of the data on this article comes from Matthew Ball, who also cites some real recent stand out victories in games and well, here's the slide.

Not a battle thong in sight, it's almost like break out successes which do lean into the sexy heroine tropes - like say Bayonetta and Nier: Automata are the exception, not the rule, and the market for games is complex and ever shifting. There are no silver bullets, and "sexy lady pose sexy but no do the sex" will certainly never be one.

The answer is also, obviously, not to outlaw sex work. Rather it is to abandon these old myths and the ultra-corporatisation of game design (which invariably keeps old myths around because of certain types of people) and think of them as opportunities.

The opportunity to tell a compelling and/or confusing story, the opportunity to challenge your reflexes and resolve, the opportunity to feel your heart break in a safe environment.

Or like... be a drug dealer apparently.

My point being that the problem of studios finding themselves competing with gambling is entirely due to them making games with the purposes of milking dollars though manufactured discontent.

The competition with actual sex workers is due to them pandering to an audience who been leaning so hard into the absurd objectification of women and open misogyny as their coping strategies so long they openly claim they can't play games that aren't loaded with it.

Hence why they obsessed over Stellar Blade for a few weeks, heralding it as the new champion of the culture wars - then stopped caring. it's why they can't enjoy regular sexy in otherwise good games.

This is a problem that the worst people in the industry created for themselves. Let us hope that the fallout removes the bad actors.

– wincenworks

[bikiniarmorbattledamage]

We've talked quite a lot about not only the inherent sexism of assuming women's feet are made for high-heeled shoes, but also how way too many character designers never saw high heels up close, let alone worn them before forcing them onto female action heroes. Obligatory reference to the saga of us observing the obvious fact that not only Samus Aran needs no heels, the ones she was put in would make no sense on any human foot.

So, for the curious about the minutia of actual real life high heel shoe designs and failure points that modern manufacturers perpetuate, here's a very informative video from fashion historian and shoemaker, Nicole Rudolph.

~Ozzie

See also: “why can’t female heroes kick arse in heels?” | this article about why preservation of feminine aesthetic (including footwear) makes stuntwomen's jobs harder than their male counterparts'.