Proceedings of the 2025 5th International Conference on Culture, Design and Social Development (CDSD 2025)

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From Object to Subject: the Evolution of Female Characters in Video Game Narratives and Mechanics

Authors
Weiwei Wang1, *
1Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Yifu Building, No. 219, Ningliu Road, Pu Kou District, Nanjing City, 210044, China
*Corresponding author. Email: 1836599500@qq.com
Corresponding Author
Weiwei Wang
Available Online 26 February 2026.
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-541-6_68How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Video games; Objectification; Sexual subjectification; Female characters
Abstract

The rapid growth and social influence of the video game industry have heightened scrutiny of gender representation, especially as the female player base expands. This study examines the evolution of female characters in video games, tracing their development from objectified narrative symbols toward figures with full subjectivity. Combining theoretical analysis—drawing on sexual objectification theory and Foucault’s concept of subjectivity—with case studies of landmark characters, this research analyzes both narrative function and game mechanics. Findings reveal a clear progression: female characters have moved from being one-dimensional, non-playable “damsels in distress” to playable supporting roles, though often limited by the male gaze. In recent works, such as Ellie in The Last of Us, female characters have become core mechanical drivers and narrative agents, possessing complex arcs and autonomous agency. This shift marks their transformation into true subjects within interactive storytelling.

Copyright
© 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the 2025 5th International Conference on Culture, Design and Social Development (CDSD 2025)
Series
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publication Date
26 February 2026
ISBN
978-2-38476-541-6
ISSN
2352-5398
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-541-6_68How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CONF
AU  - Weiwei Wang
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/02/26
TI  - From Object to Subject: the Evolution of Female Characters in Video Game Narratives and Mechanics
BT  - Proceedings of the 2025 5th International Conference on Culture, Design and Social Development (CDSD 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 622
EP  - 628
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-541-6_68
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-541-6_68
ID  - Wang2026
ER  -