For this critical play, I played Florence an IOS/Android game that tells the story of a young woman named Florence and takes players through various chapters of her life, highlighting her journey of self-discovery and relationships.
Personally, I really enjoyed that the game centers around a female protagonist and allows players to experience her self-discovery and personal growth. Having a female protagonist provides representation and challenges the male-dominated narratives often seen in video games. Also not a lot of games take such a narrative and introspective approach to explaining love and personal growth — most of the games I’ve interacted with in this genre are dating simulators, which have quite the opposite vibe.
The game delves into the complexities of romantic relationships, including the initial excitement, challenges, and growth that comes with them. It avoids romanticizing unhealthy dynamics and instead portrays a realistic portrayal of the highs and lows of relationships. It also emphasizes emotional storytelling rather than relying solely on action or combat. This aspect aligns with feminist perspectives that emphasize emotional intelligence, empathy, and understanding as essential aspects of human experiences.
The game’s mechanics rely on simple gestures and interactions, avoiding traditional game mechanics that often prioritize competition or aggression. By providing a more accessible and inclusive gameplay experience, “Florence” challenges the notion that games should be solely geared towards a specific gender or playstyle.
That being said, there are definitely ways that this game could be improved according to Shira Chess’ book. First, the creators could expand the game’s representation to include a more diverse range of characters. This could involve featuring characters from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as representing diverse gender identities and body types. Including diverse characters can challenge stereotypes and provide more inclusive and representative narratives.
The creators could also introduce moments in the game that explicitly address power dynamics and societal structures. This could involve exploring Florence’s experiences with workplace inequality, gender-based discrimination, or other forms of systemic oppression. By addressing these issues, the game can provide opportunities for players to critically engage with and reflect on real-world power imbalances. The creators could offer Florence a range of choices that defy traditional gender norms. And allow players to guide Florence in pursuing her passions, career aspirations, or hobbies that are typically associated with different genders. For example, Florence could choose to engage in traditionally male-dominated fields like STEM or participate in activities that challenge gender stereotypes, such as sports or art.
