Voice of the Fembot: An Analysis of the Subservient and Sinister Vocal Depictions of the Gynoid in Sci-Fi Games
摘要
This chapter examines the vocal portrayal of fembots and gynoids in video games, focusing on their depiction as subservient and fetishised entities. Drawing from gender studies, speech analysis and user interface design, the research categorises characters from game franchises like Halo, Portal, Mass Effect, and System Shock into three archetypes: The Good, The Bad, and The Kinky, while connecting real-world feminised AI (such as Siri and Alexa) with their fictional counterparts. The chapter further explores how these portrayals reflect societal stereotypes of femininity, and the dehumanisation and fear associated with disembodied feminine voices in games, particularly when these characters deviate from their intended roles of service.